Client:
Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95

Transition Program Facility Renovations

District 95 Young Adult Center

Inclusive Design for Special Education Needs

An existing office building was redesigned to provide a specialized and more positive social-emotional environment for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) who’ve completed graduation requirements and are eligible for post-secondary transition services.

The programming at the new building will concentrate on three key areas for post-secondary preparation: employment, education/training, and independent living. This facility is tailored to provide valuable experience in each program area for individuals aged 18-22 with special education requirements.

Vocational and Lifestyle Learning Spaces

The ground level holds a kitchen for hands-on learning, while the commons area is designed to enhance tech literacy and social skills.

Upstairs, a classroom and living skills room are complemented by administrative offices.

The lower level features a vocational classroom, laundry facilities, and a workout space. These dedicated areas provide practical experience.

This center fosters a supportive social-emotional setting, promoting social engagement and recreational pursuits.

To ensure accessibility for all, a new addition to the remodeled office building was required to accommodate an elevator and its pit. This addition not only emphasizes inclusive design throughout the facility but also enhances circulation.

Upstairs features a classroom with a living skills room, plus administrative offices.
Common Space: Renovations created a facility tailored for 18-22-year-olds with special ed needs to develop skills for young adulthood.
Common Space: The design enables independence with a new elevator adding 3 levels of program space.
The workout area promotes health and wellness as vital aspects of self-care.
The ground level features a kitchen and dining area as part of the program space.
The lower level houses the vocational classroom, adjacent to laundry facilities and a workout space.
Young adults will experience household chores and cooking to learn nutrition, safety, and self-care skills.
Common Space: The design enables independence with a new elevator adding 3 levels of program space.
The classroom opens to a Living Skills Lab, where students can practice the skills they’ll need for a higher level of functional independence.
The laundry facilities offer students a supportive environment to practice skills, aiding their transition to independence.

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