ITAV Leadership Academy - Phase I

Village LeaVillage Leadership Academy Phase 1 is the first phase of the Village Leadership Academy Campus Master Plan. Phase 1 serves the Kindergarten through 8th grade student body and consists of renovations to the 3 of the 4 floors of the 80,000 sqft historic Hales Franciscan High School in Bronzeville. The fast-paced summer renovation refreshes the building for VLA; provides accessible and gender balance at the restrooms; kitchen and cafeteria upgrades; rebrands the gymnasium and includes abatement work in preparation for the 2023-2024 school year. Phase 1 serves as the first big step in the overall development of the Bronzeville It Takes a Village Campus.  

New Office Partnering with Bureau Gemmell have helped the owner navigate challenges around aligning desired scope to available budget and a compressed construction schedule compounded by water infiltration events.  Working from the goals, values and vision established in the Master Plan has made the process of designing strategic and targeted interventions smoother.  A goal for Phase 1 was for scope accomplished to not have to be revisited in subsequent phases.   Creating workstreams and clear communication with ITAV’s leadership, the owner’s rep team at IFF, environmental engineer True North and our general contractor partner Ujamaa Construction has been essential and rewarding.