The following projects highlighted below represent some of the exciting commissions on which RuckPate is currently working. We invite you to revisit our Works In Progress page for updates on design, groundbreaking information, and construction news and photos. For additional information on any of these projects, email us at info@ruckpate.com.      

Harvard District 50 Breaks Ground For First New School Since 1962
Harvard, Illinois

Harvard District 50 officially broke ground on June 12, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. for their new primary school. The “Bring Your Own Shovel” groundbreaking was highly celebrated among the Harvard community, with over 150 people of all ages participating in the event.

The school will have capacity of up to 1,000 students. It features separate academic neighborhoods for each grade level, fostering a nurturing school-within-a-school concept, which will enhance curriculum delivery and team-based learning. Each grade level will also have its own Discovery Center for art, science and technology experiences.

Classrooms currently used for younger students will open up the district’s other schools, allowing for more traditional grade level configurations and continuity of educational delivery.

Roger Lehmann of the Harvard Economic Development Corporation stated that the new school is “Monumental for the city of Harvard.” The school is one of two referendums in the state of Illinois that were passed last year. The new primary school is scheduled to be ready for the 2010-2011 school year.

NSSED Breaks Ground For New North Shore Academy
Highland Park, Illinois

NSSED officially broke ground on June 10, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. for the new North Shore Academy (NSA). NSA is a structured program leading to community integration and increased social competencies for junior high school and high school age students with emotional and behavioral concerns.

The school creates ambient neighborhoods for approximately 120 students in various grade levels. Spatial relationships and student movements establish minimal visual and auditory distractions and improve the educational environment. The building is located so as to be in harmony with the residential neighborhood while creating a visually appealing campus that improves traffic flow and parking capacity.

Dr. Tim Thomas, NSSED Superintendent said, “This has been an amazing cooperative effort with so many people coming together on behalf of students with significant needs. The district business officials, superintendents and NSSED Governing Board have provided tremendous guidance and support. RuckPate Architecture and Pepper Construction have been a pleasure to work with. They have been the best collaborative, insightful and helpful partners we could possibly have. With everybody working so well together we will have the new NSA up and running very soon and the students will have the learning environment they deserve.”

New Laremont Center - SEDOL
Special Education District of Lake County
Gages Lake, Illinois

This special education district currently serves students from over 36 school districts in Lake County. SEDOL's Governing and Executive Board recently approved a new Laremont School to more constructively assist students with severe to profound cognitive and physical impairments. The new school will be located adjacent to the Warren Township High School Campus.

Special consideration is being given to overall layout and functional adjacencies. Classrooms and common spaces will be specially designed and equipped to enable Laremont's staff to deliver their comprehensive program of physical, occupational, and speech and language therapy. Nursing services, and concentrated supervision and care programs will also be addressed.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church Addition
Cary, Illinois

The congregation of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, working with RuckPate Architecture, has approved a second addition to the original 1962 Church located on Three Oaks Road.

RuckPate designed the first addition in 1991—a two-story brick addition with Administrative Space, Pastor Offices, Children’s Classrooms (Pre-K), Smaller Worship Spaces, and Service Areas. Existing facilities provide a more traditional worship space. In recent years, senior congregation members noticed a lower percentage of youth attending church and felt it necessary to develop space which would accommodate their youth.

Plans call for a more contemporary worship service and activity space as part of the New Youth Addition which will be called L.O.F.T (Living Our Faith Together). The addition will be linked to the existing building via a connecting corridor, and is anticipated to be complete in mid-2009.

•  Contemporary Worship/Multi-Purpose Space
•  Open Youth Activity/Flex Area
•  Sunday School Classrooms
•  Youth Pastor Office
•  Attached Porte-Cochère

Special consideration was given to creating a cohesive integration with the existing church and balance on the site.

Trinity International University
New Student Life Center, Deerfield, Illinois

Trinity International University comprises Trinity College, Trinity Graduate School, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School on its primary campus located 30 miles north of Chicago. Beginning in the mid-90s, RuckPate has helped this Christian university create and implement its long range campus master plan to allow campus development to proceed in a logical manner, as resources become available, while maintaining numerous diverse facilities.

Construction is currently underway for the Student Life Center, which is planned as an addition and comprehensive renovation to Melton Hall. This new Student Center will become the central focus of the redesigned campus, serving an international, ethnically diverse student population. Students within the building would enjoy planned meals and fellowship throughout the day in a relaxed, inviting environment.

For this project, RuckPate is pleased to be collaborating with WTW Architects of Pittsburgh, PA, a leading design firm specializing in university facilities and student unions. Student Life Center Highlights:

•  High-Quality Food Service Program with Bistro-Style Arrangement
•  Dining Capacity for 350-450 Students at at any given time
•  Future Banquet Facilities
•  Large and Small Meeting Rooms
•  Atrium Lounge, Coffee Bar
•  Future Offices for Various Student Associations and Administration

Rendering Courtesy of Associate Design Architect WTW Architects, Pittsburgh, PA