New Fieldhouse Addition at Oak Lawn Community High School
Client:
This state-of-the-art facility will create a new hub for athletics, physical education, and community engagement. The project’s main goal is to consolidate the school’s athletic and PE programs into a single, unified complex at the south end of campus, replacing outdated and undersized spaces.
This centralization will enhance efficiency, accessibility, and security while improving circulation and the overall student experience. Once athletics are consolidated, two existing gyms at the north end of campus will be repurposed for Career and Technology Education, fulfilling another key need.
The project originated from a Long-Range Plan, which included a Facility Assessment and a collaborative survey of school administrators, board members, teachers, students, and the community. This process helped shape a clear vision for prioritizing campus improvements and ensuring the new facility provides students and staff with the modern resources they need to thrive.
Proposed - Southeast Exterior
Proposed - West Exterior
Proposed - West Exterior
Proposed - Lobby
Proposed - Lobby
Proposed - Lobby
Proposed - Lobby
Proposed - Fieldhouse Interior
Proposed - Fieldhouse Interior
Proposed - Fieldhouse Interior
Proposed - Fieldhouse Interior
Proposed - Weight Room
Proposed - Weight Room
Proposed - South Exterior
Designing for Flexibility and Performance
Our team worked closely with stakeholders to solve complex site logistics and develop a phased construction plan that minimizes disruption to school operations. The result is a facility designed for maximum flexibility, ready to accommodate a wide range of activities.
Key features include:
- Multipurpose Courts: Four basketball courts that can be converted to four volleyball courts or sixteen badminton courts, providing versatile space for PE classes, team practices, and competitions.
- Indoor Track & Field: A 200-meter, six-lane indoor track complete with areas for pole vault and long jump events.
- Specialized Training Spaces: Dedicated weight, wrestling, and fitness rooms to support diverse athletic training needs.
- Connectivity to the Existing: A new second-floor viewing deck looks onto the existing aquatic center, enhancing the spectator experience at swim meets and programs while providing full accessibility for all visitors.
- Enhanced Support Areas: New offices for the Athletic Director and PE staff, as well as significantly increased storage and a maintenance shop.
The design promotes a more integrated curriculum and supports a holistic approach to student wellness by providing a safe, inspiring, and well-equipped environment for student-athletes and the entire student body.
A Commitment to Community and Sustainability
The new Fieldhouse is designed not just for the school but also for the entire Oak Lawn community, including organizations like the Oak Lawn Swim Association, Oak Lawn Outlaws Cheerleading and Football, Oak Lawn Baseball and Softball, and several other programs. The facility’s flexible layout makes it ideal for hosting youth camps, community events, and other gatherings, strengthening the bond between the school and its neighbors and extending the value of the investment beyond the school day.
In line with future-ready planning, the project incorporates responsible sustainability strategies. We are maximizing natural daylighting while using advanced glare control to create a pleasant interior atmosphere. The design also includes a high-efficiency HVAC system, low-flow plumbing fixtures, durable and low-VOC materials, an optimized building envelope for thermal performance, and responsible stormwater management.