Planning Rationale
Chicago Public School buildings are constructed using proven structural systems and materials which are highly durable, economical and flexible in order to meet the Board of Education’s mandate for new construction buildings that will last several decades.
New construction shall follow the planning concept of strong bones with an exterior wall of elements that are flexible and can accommodate upgrades as required.
- Structure
- Conventional Non-Combustible Construction
- Shear walls of CMU or Concrete
- Exterior Wall
- Cold form steel framed backup or CMU backup
- Fiberglass mat gypsum sheathing
- Continuous non-vapor permeable air/moisture barrier
- Continuous insulation and air space
- Non-proprietary masonry veneer ting wall
- Interior Walls
- Multiple layer partitions throughout including Very High Impact (VHI) gypsum board at designated high use areas including but not limited to: vestibules, corridors, pre-function areas and delivery corridors.
- Guiding principles for new building design and construction:
- Overall resilient design
- Many can bid and build it
- Many suppliers can compete to provide building components
- Many can clean and repair it
- Many can alter it and reconfigure it
- Operationally efficient
- Optimize energy usage based on building energy modeling design criteria
Building Structure
Chicago Public School buildings are normally composed of a steel frame structure with non-bearing exterior envelope, typically brick veneer. Floor structures are typically concrete filled composite metal deck supported on steel beams. Beams, joists and trusses are typically used in the roof framing. This method of construction has been utilized for reasons of durability as well as improved sequencing in the construction phase.
Construction Type
CPS schools shall be of fire resistive construction classification and construction type that is in conformance with school occupancy classification requirements for typical heights and areas per the current Chicago Building Code.
Building Height
- Stories: Due to typical City of Chicago lot sizes, new CPS elementary school buildings are most often 3 stories in height to accommodate typical building programs, provide parking and retain some open space. Annexes and additions are program specific and vary from 1-3 stories. Occasionally, site constraints require multi-story mid-rise solutions.
- Standard minimum floor-to-floor height: is 14’-8”.
- Planning for higher ceiling heights: For high volume spaces, consideration shall be given to how spaces stack and align with one another. Higher volume spaces of 1.5 to 2 stories may include but are not limited to, the cafeteria, gymnasium, entry lobby, library, and performing arts spaces. These spaces require acoustical and impact isolation/vibration separation.
- Other Considerations: Daylighting strategies and mechanical systems shall also be considered in determining ceiling and floor-to-floor heights.