New Trier Township District 203 High School Expansion
Winnetka, IL
Schuler Shook assisted with planning and provided theatre consulting services for the five-story, 275,000-square-foot addition for New Trier High School. The structure features a 220-seat drama theatre, flexible studio theatre, and backstage support spaces including scene shop – all connected to the existing 1,200-seat auditorium.
The new wing also houses spaces for music, dance and the visual arts – each area outfitted with the latest equipment and technology necessary to support effective rehearsals and memorable performances.
Looking toward the future, infrastructure flexibility was a very important design consideration. This includes theatre lighting systems able to accommodate both traditional halogen and newer LEDs.
Interior windows on all five levels give students in the concourse the opportunity to see what’s happening in various school areas – including black box theatre, art studio and culinary classroom – and invites their participation.
These reimagined teaching learning spaces put arts education right on the “main street” of the Winnetka Campus. The arts at New Trier are such a focal point that it is only natural that they be central to the life of the building.”
Christopher Sprague
Principal
Chicago
Project Details
Service
Sector
Architect
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Wight & Company
Acoustician
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Threshold Acoustics
