Chiaravalle Montessori North Wing

To support the educational philosophy that to assist children in learning, they need to be provided with an environment which will enable them to develop freely, the Chiaravalle Montessori School embarked on a mission to create The North Wing.

Bulley & Andrews served as their building partner for the new three-story, 20,000 sq. ft. addition. The team helped Chiaravalle create new spaces that provide opportunities for hands-on, integrated studies and innovation in learning and child development.

The addition includes a Global Learning Library, Da Vinci Studio (for projects in robotics, pulleys, photosynthesis, fish rubbing, pendulum painting, 3D printing and more), Hub & Gathering Stair that can be reconfigured for multiple uses, Performing Arts space (created with consultation by Chicago Shakespeare Theater) and a new gymnasium that is double in size.

Sustainable features of the new school include a green roof, geothermal loop, photovoltaics, and an Educational Dashboard in the front lobby that provides an interactive display of the building’s various green features. The building is the first LEED Platinum private school in Illinois the and the first LEED Platinum Montessori school in the United States.