The building formerly referred to as Johnsburg Junior High had quite a history, not just in terms of housing a variety of multiple grade levels over the years, but the building itself had been two independent schools as recent as year 2000.
The existing 116,000 SF multi-level structure was more akin to a collection of seven buildings, built mostly 40-50 years earlier, boasting independent HVAC systems, utility services, and other intricacies that would be revealed only with time and patience.
Mix in a desire to increase the school by two more grade levels, and about 55,000 SF, while maintaining independence between two separate but connected schools, and what emerges are the Johnsburg Junior High and Johnsburg Elementary Schools.
Gillespie Design Group formed a collaborative partnership with Ruck Pate Architecture in order to fulfill the vision set forth by the Johnsburg School District Board of Education during this project, resulting in a completely updated facility of about 170,000 SF for a 1,000 student capacity.