With the James & Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forests at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, it’s a new day for primate care and visitor experiences. For the first time, western lowland gorillas, Bornean orangutans and South American monkeys can enjoy expansive outdoor habitats, an extension of the existing Tropic World facility. The three-acre complex adds four forested habitats, indoor day rooms, five viewing shelters for visitors, the Gorilla Conservation Center and the King Conservation Leadership Academy, an anchor within the zoo campus for young adults to learn about conservation.

The design blends immersive naturalism with technical precision that includes heated rockwork, climate-resilient plantings and concealed feeders that prioritize year-round animal welfare. Layouts reflect natural primate social structures.

Built through a complex design-build process while the Zoo remained operational, the project opened in the summer of 2025 as part of the Zoo’s Next Century Plan, setting a national benchmark for humane, conservation-driven design that unites animal welfare, architecture and community impact.

The creative design process for Bramsen Tropical Forests was driven by a clear yet complex ambition: to transform an aging, inward-focused primate facility into an immersive and future-facing habitat without erasing its history. Designers began by confronting the project’s greatest challenge: the massive Tropic World structure. Rather than demolish it, the team chose to expand and reinterpret it, using new buildings, outdoor habitats and landscape elements to visually soften its scale while unlocking new opportunities for outdoor access.

Designing a “rainforest” in Chicago required balancing naturalistic immersion with technical rigor. The team integrated terrain variation, water features, heated rockwork and climate-resilient plantings, all supported by concealed infrastructure such as stormwater systems, feeders and heating elements. Habitat layouts were carefully choreographed to address social dynamics, including separate gorilla family and bachelor groups, while complex overhead transfer routes allowed safe movement between spaces without disrupting visitor circulation.

Equally important was the visitor experience. Sightlines, mesh enclosures and viewing shelters were calibrated to create intimacy without overexposure, ensuring animals always retained a sense of refuge. Durable materials—concrete, steel and shotcrete—were composed with an “art gallery” sensibility, reinforcing dignity and calm rather than spectacle. Through layered problem-solving, hidden engineering and deliberate restraint, the design process translated biological, climatic and social challenges into a cohesive environment.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Bramsen Tropical Forests project was delivered through a highly coordinated design-build approach that prioritized safety, constructability and long-term durability for animal habitats and public interaction areas. From the start, the team established separate circulation, equipment zones, noise thresholds and environmental controls for animals and people to ensure compliance with animal welfare standards while supporting reliable operations for zoo staff.

Construction required careful sequencing of multiple trades including shotcrete artistry, muralists, mesh installation, landscaping and MEP systems, all within the center of an active zoo operating year-round. Specialized materials featured six species of trees replicated in shotcrete trees, cracked mud stamped concrete with animal footprints, reinforced animal-barrier glass and heated rockwork integrated with streams and three waterfall systems. These elements were designed to create naturalistic habitats while concealing structural components, anchorage systems and embedded utilities supporting feeders, misters and other enrichment features.

Quality Methods
Quality was achieved through a rigorous preconstruction and coordination process. The team completed comprehensive surveys, existing-condition verification and 3D modeling and located underground utilities before excavation, enabling precise installation of king-post footings, bamboo and deadfall supports, retaining walls, pump-room utilities and complex water-feature systems without a single utility strike, despite dense underground infrastructure.
During construction, daily field checks, cross-trade coordination meetings and continuous review of engineered details ensured every habitat element—from hose bibs and drinkers to hot rocks, transfer chutes and climbing towers —were installed exactly to specification. Mock-ups were constructed for specialty habitat features and all work underwent inspections before concealment to confirm structural integrity, operational reliability and animal safety.

Challenges
The project presented several unique challenges:
• Animal Containment and Coordination: Continuous collaboration with animal care staff was required to ensure habitats remained safe and functional for gorillas, orangutans, and South American primates. Transfer chutes connecting a 50-year-old Tropic World building to new outdoor habitats required field verification of elevations and structural conditions after discrepancies were identified in existing drawings. The team employed a design-assist approach to develop customized anchorage solutions and reconfigure a former public space into a vertical primate transfer zone with water-resistant finishes, pitched floors, and integrated drainage—allowing animals to move safely while remaining onsite. Noise and vibration were actively monitored, with work paused or relocated during animal care needs.
• Structural and Engineering Difficulties: Load demands required more than 60 massive, drilled piers/caissons to anchor 1-inch stainless steel cables for mesh containment. Complex mesh engineering spanned live and artificial trees. Bamboo sway poles were custom fabricated with internal steel reinforcement to replicate natural movement beyond standard athletic equipment for the orangutans to enjoy while moving through the habitat.
• Site and Utility Constraints: Construction was executed within a confined site surrounded by active guest areas, seasonal programming, and ongoing zoo operations. Material deliveries, concrete pours, shotcrete placement, and rockwork installation were carefully sequenced to avoid peak visitation periods, including summer days with more than 150 busloads of schoolchildren. Excavation for rain gardens, new utilities, and foundations was completed while preserving existing mature trees and navigating protected nesting areas for local wildlife.
• Schedule Pressures: The Gorilla Conservation Center was completed four months ahead of schedule, allowing gorillas to transition into the new facility early and enabling interior work within Tropic World to proceed with minimal impact on animal care. Overlapping trades, seasonal weather impacts on landscaping, and phased habitat turnover required detailed short-interval planning between fall 2024 and spring 2025.

Overall Complexity
Encompassing four major exterior habitats—South American primates, orangutans and two gorilla habitats, plus interior buildouts and event spaces, the project represented one of the Zoo’s most complex habitat developments. Complexity stemmed from integrating structural, mechanical, electrical, civil, landscape, and specialty habitat systems within an active public environment while maintaining uninterrupted zoo operations.
Construction unfolded in carefully sequenced phases, integrating waterproofing, skylights, reinforced animal-barrier glass, mesh containment rising 28 feet above finished grade, heated rockwork, and immersive shotcrete environments. Event spaces overlooking active habitats introduced additional coordination between life-safety systems, acoustics, and animal welfare considerations.
The project’s success was the result of meticulous planning, adaptive field coordination, and disciplined execution—delivering a technically complex, durable, and highly immersive habitat that meets the highest standards for animal welfare, staff operations, and visitor experience while advancing Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Next Century Plan.

Safety was the top priority throughout the project, beginning with rigorous fall protection training for crews installing large-scale mesh containment systems. To enhance oversight, drone technology was explored for documenting netting installation, while close coordination with animal care staff ensured containment areas were functional, secure and allowed smooth animal transfers between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Maintaining pedestrian safety and animal transportation routes posed unique challenges given the habitat’s central location in the Zoo, especially during high-traffic days. Daily communication across animal safety, public safety and construction teams optimized care and minimized disruptions. Schedule adjustments and extended work hours were implemented as needed for animal well-being. Despite these complexities, the project recorded zero public incidents and only six minor worker-related incidents, a testament to the effectiveness of these safety measures.

This project represents a transformative impact on the community by advancing Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Next Century Plan: a bold vision to combat biodiversity loss and climate change while creating an unparalleled destination for education and conservation. Across Asia and Africa, many primate species face escalating threats from habitat destruction, illegal poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. As the Zoo approaches its 100th anniversary in 2034, the Bramsen Tropical Forests project sets a new standard for primate habitat design, elevating animal care, conservation education and guest experiences. Beyond its environmental mission, the project strengthens community connections by ensuring the Zoo remains a beloved destination, an inclusive educational resource and a vibrant learning hub inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders.

The expansion also includes the dedicated home of the King Conservation Leadership Academy, the Zoo’s flagship youth program for science learning that provides skills and learning for career and college readiness.

During construction, inclusion was also a priority, with an achieved goal of 30% MBE/WBE participation fostering local business growth and diversity. Together, these efforts position Brookfield Zoo Chicago as a beacon of sustainability, education and community engagement for decades to come.

The Downers Grove Civic Center (DGCC) brings together Village Hall, Police Department and School District administration in a vibrant, modern civic hub that replaces outdated facilities and reimagines public engagement. The timeless building celebrates government transparency and serves as a gateway to a revitalized downtown. An inviting northwest plaza links a popular pedestrian path to public transit, while the main Blackburn Civil Rights Plaza honors founder Isrel Blackburn and provides flexible gathering space.

Constructed directly adjacent to the BNSF Metra rail line and within an active municipal campus, rigorous logistical and heightened safety protocols were employed to maintain uninterrupted police and village operations throughout construction. Our team developed a detailed phasing and continuity plan to relocate critical functions while demolition and foundation work proceeded, allowing full operation of essential services from groundbreaking to occupancy.

Sustainability anchors the project, with permeable pavers, bioswales and rain gardens managing stormwater, and an efficient envelope, laminated glazing and solar panels reducing energy use. The DGCC saves an estimated $168,000 annually and lowers carbon emissions by 37% compared to the former buildings. The $52M facility reflects Downers Grove’s commitment to civic excellence and long-term environmental stewardship.

The Downers Grove Civic Center is a powerful beacon of civic unity and public engagement, representing years of Village planning. The facility reflects a bold vision of a single, sustainable center where transparency and communication flourish. This vision solidified from the development of two new Village documents — the Downtown Design Guidelines and an award-winning Environmental Sustainability Plan developed concurrently with the project. As the first civic project built within both guidelines, it was important that this building stand as a showpiece of the government’s desired direction for both. The resulting design is a facility instantly recognizable as a center of local government that achieves three critical goals: celebrating community heritage and pride; providing a warm, welcoming environment that enhances productivity; and demonstrating the community’s commitment to sustainability.

Transparency of government was an important theme in this building’s design, along with providing connections between civic employees and the public they serve. Inside, a two-story atrium connects major public functions including the Council Chambers, which is designed with flexibility for meetings and training as well as community events. The Chambers features floor-to-ceiling windows as a deliberate gesture of civic accessibility and transparency.

As a project for the community, engagement was key. The design team led visioning sessions with key stakeholders to uncover needs and wants and establish design goals for the project. Community meetings were held to explain the project and receive further input on desired aspects of the facility. Full scale material mock-ups and site visits of example projects helped bring ideas to life and establish the design vision. Many design iterations for key elements were also studied to arrive at the right balance between vision and budget. The result is a contextual exterior design that fits into the downtown fabric while conveying an inviting feel that welcomes residents inside.

The largest design challenge involved limited siting options for the new building, as the existing Police Department and Village Hall buildings needed to remain in operation during construction. Designers carefully positioned the Civic Center on the remaining available site with prominent frontage along a main downtown artery and connection to regional transit, with a resulting clearance of just eight feet between the new facility and existing Police Department that was carefully secured during construction.

The exterior expression is rooted in prairie style architecture with brick, stone and generous canopies, blending timeless civic character with daylight-rich, energy-efficient performance. Celebrating the Downers Grove community, the public lobby features wood tones and vertical strips that echo the feel of a grove of trees from which the Village draws its name. Other lobby features include ballistic protected customer service windows, comfortable seating, and large video monitor displays. A FEMA-rated storm shelter accessible directly off the main lobby was located in one of the two opaque corner masses that frame the council chambers and help to anchor the building.

Creating collaborative and comfortable spaces for employees was a main driver for interior spaces. Within all departments, individual workspaces are designed for comfort and productivity. Bringing Village Hall, Police Department and School District administration together under one roof is a more efficient use of space that promotes collaboration as well. At the center of all three second floor departments is a shared staff social hub with a large island and kitchen that invites conversation and connections. The shared staff hub includes multiple seating zones with comfortable furniture, giving people the choice for privacy, socializing or collaboration, all with expansive natural light and views out to the roof terrace.

Shared wellness spaces promote health and well-being for all employees, including a fitness center, a mat room usable as police training or yoga/fitness space, and a quiet room that allows staff to decompress after a traumatic or difficult situation. The space design of the three-level facility (including the basement) provides safe and functional workflows that enhance productivity and a positive experience for building users and visitors.

Designed along with AIA’s Framework for Design Principles, this sustainable building includes design for: Water, Economy, Well-Being, Energy and Equitable Communities. Permeable pavers for most parking stalls help manage 55% of stormwater on site, in addition to rain gardens and intensive green roof systems. The shared resources of three departments in one facility reduced building area by 10% and saves an estimated $168,000 annually. Staff roof terraces, large plazas, common areas for socialization and wellness rooms promote well-being. The carport’s solar PV array offsets 8% of annual building energy use, and the main building’s roof is designed to accommodate PV panels in the future. An equitable community is supported by connections to regional transit, pedestrian pathways, and a Civil Rights Plaza.

Delivering the new Downers Grove Civic Center required extraordinary coordination, precision, and planning to transform a constrained downtown site into a modern civic campus serving the Village of Downers Grove, its Police Department, and Elementary School District 58. The 75,919-square-foot, two-story facility integrates public safety, municipal administration, and community amenities—including council chambers, a public plaza, and shared fitness spaces—within a single, efficient structure.

Constructed directly adjacent to the BNSF Metra rail line and within an active municipal campus, the project demanded rigorous logistical and heightened safety protocols. Maintaining uninterrupted police and village operations throughout construction was among the most significant challenges, as the new Civic Center was less than 8 feet away from the corner of the existing (and operational) police station. Our team developed a detailed phasing and continuity plan to relocate critical functions while demolition and foundation work proceeded. This allowed essential civic services to remain fully operational from groundbreaking to occupancy.

Reworking the Burlington and Washington Avenue intersection — lowering the site by four feet to improve vehicle flow — required intricate coordination with utility relocations and a water main replacement. Close proximity to overhead power lines and rail infrastructure necessitated daily flagging and strict compliance with railway safety standards. Material shortages and volatile pricing in cement and concrete further tested the project’s resilience, but proactive procurement and early submittal approvals kept the schedule intact.

We employed advanced construction technology to enhance accuracy and collaboration. Digital layout systems ensured precision in interior framing and MEP coordination, while 360-degree photo documentation allowed the client and design team to monitor progress remotely in real time. BIM modeling supported integration of complex systems—from foundation sleeving to mechanical units—and guided installation of the building’s intricate enclosure, including green roofs, roof terraces, and varied elevations. A dedicated enclosure consultant provided third-party reviews, air barrier and window testing, and quality-control walk-throughs to ensure long-term performance.

The result is a high-performance, sustainable civic center featuring rain gardens, photovoltaic panels, and permeable pavers—delivered on schedule and within budget. Through disciplined execution and collaboration, our construction team transformed a complex urban site into a lasting symbol of civic pride and public service.

Safety was the top priority throughout the entire build. Enhanced rail-adjacent protocols, QR-based orientation systems, weekly site audits, and proactive communication achieved zero major incidents across more than 150,000 work hours. The project team worked very closely with local residents, neighboring businesses, police, fire and public works departments and many other stakeholders to ensure construction could remain efficient with little to no impact to others. Leopardo developed a traffic management plan to safely reroute vehicles during roadwork including the BNSF railroad crossing reconstruction and worked closely with the Village to time the work to miss community events like Octoberfest or the High School returning to class in the fall. The team’s carefully developed culture of safety was adhered to by subcontractor teams as well, resulting in a successful project with no incidents.

Located on a transformed 6.5-acre site, the timeless civic design of DGCC creates a gateway to Downers Grove’s revitalized downtown district. Two outdoor plazas complement the building design, drawing in passersby with formal and informal gathering spaces. The northwest plaza connects commuters to regional transit service and is also a well-used pedestrian pathway to nearby neighborhoods. The Blackburn Civil Rights Plaza pays tribute to Isrel Blackburn, a formerly enslaved person who served in the Union Army and was one of the Village’s original founders. The plaza celebrates different periods of his life through custom place-making sculpture elements cast from bronze or laser cut from steel plates set at different planes for his abstract portrait. “An entry plaza named in his honor is a concrete and permanent statement that civil rights is our first calling as a village government,” said Downers Grove Mayor Robert T. Barnett. Tables and benches encourage respite among an abundance of all-native plantings.

To create a more pedestrian-friendly walkway, the eastern leg of the Washington Street intersection was eliminated, streamlining traffic flow and encouraging a walkable downtown area. The pathways and plazas effectively integrate this new asset with the downtown community. Additionally, future plans call for a new mixed-use building on the site in the location of the former Village Hall, adding another asset to this growing area. Designed within AIA’s Framework for Design Principles of Equitable Communities, the Civic Center effectively contributes to a “diverse accessible, walkable, just, human-scaled community”.

The Evanston Animal Shelter is a purpose-built civic facility designed to reconcile the rigorous demands of public health, animal welfare, and community service within a highly regulated building type. Replacing a deteriorating 1970s structure that lacked medical, isolation, and adequately sized spaces, the new shelter closes a critical gap in care by giving animals the time, space, and environmental quality needed to heal, decompress, and thrive before adoption. The design supports an open-admission, no-kill mission through clear separation of public and operational zones, species-specific airflow, acoustic control, high indoor air quality, and carefully calibrated daylight that reduces stress and disease transmission while improving adoptability. The masonry façade uses varied brick depth, pattern, and color to create a tactile, fur-like quality — warm, durable, and subtly expressive — grounding the building in its neighborhood while reflecting its humane purpose. Delivered through rigorous construction coordination and proactive problem-solving, the facility stands as a resilient, compassionate civic resource for Evanston and the region.

The creative design process for the Evanston Animal Shelter began with a fundamental question: how can a highly regulated, technical building function as a place of healing rather than confinement — for people and animals alike?

While the existing 1970s facility was originally constructed to house cats and dogs, it was never equipped to support the volume or complexity of contemporary shelter operations. Over time, intake increased to as many as 500 animals annually, far exceeding the building’s capacity. Critical functions like medical treatment, quarantine, and proper isolation were constrained or absent altogether. No longer able to meet operational, behavioral, or public health standards, the facility required a comprehensive rethinking, with Holabird & Root leading that transformation.

Early planning efforts focused on clearly distinguishing public-facing spaces from private operational zones, recognizing that not all animals are ready or appropriate for public interaction. This separation proved essential to reducing stress, supporting recovery, and improving adoptability. The program was further expanded to include specialized spaces, such as a wildlife room for temporary holding and animal control operations, ensuring the facility could respond flexibly to a wide range of needs.

Throughout the design process, the team collaborated closely with Connolly, a nationally recognized animal-shelter consultant, to ground every decision in animal behavior research and veterinary best practices. This partnership shaped program adjacencies, circulation, and spatial sequencing, ensuring animals could be safely isolated, observed, treated, and gradually reintroduced without unnecessary stress. Species-separated airflow, acoustic control, and carefully calibrated daylight were integrated into both the architectural and mechanical systems, making environmental performance a primary design driver rather than an afterthought.

Acoustics ultimately emerged as one of the project’s defining challenges. Given the site’s limited footprint, both dog and cat programs needed to coexist within a single structure. However, uncontrolled barking was found to significantly elevate stress levels for cats, making auditory separation critical. Strategic planning positioned service spaces, such as public restrooms, as acoustic buffers between programs, while STC-rated insulated glass units were used internally to maintain visual transparency without sound transmission. Dog play areas remain visible from public spaces, reinforcing openness and engagement, yet are acoustically isolated to protect more sensitive animals.

Visual stimuli were similarly considered. Dogs receive ample natural light through linear clerestory windows while being shielded from external triggers such as nearby traffic and an adjacent bus stop. Cat areas, by contrast, incorporate deep window sills designed for perching and play, creating moments of enrichment for animals and delight for passersby, while reinforcing the shelter’s welcoming presence within the neighborhood. Outdoor dog yards further support enrichment and recovery, extending the project’s therapeutic intent beyond the building envelope.

A fully developed 3D building model served as a primary design and coordination tool throughout the project. This model allowed the team to test structural, mechanical, and acoustic systems alongside operational workflows, an approach that proved especially critical given the complexity of maintaining shelter operations during construction. Close coordination with a temporary off-site facility and carefully sequenced phasing minimized disruption while ensuring continuity of care.

Material selection balanced durability, cost efficiency, and warmth. Masonry construction anchors the building within its civic and residential context while providing the acoustic mass and resilience required for shelter operations. Early explorations of mass timber throughout the building were refined to a focused application in the lobby, where the material delivers maximum experiential impact within budget constraints. CMU partitions further support long-term maintenance needs and acoustic performance.

The public-facing façade became a direct expression of the building’s interior life. Brick was employed not only as a contextual material, but as a narrative device. Through extensive study of brick patterns, depths, and coloration, the façade was developed to subtly evoke the texture and layering of animal fur — playful, varied, and expressive without becoming literal. Protruding bricks shift in depth and color, catching light differently throughout the day, while smoother field brick grounds the composition and references the surrounding neighborhood. The result is a façade that responds to movement and light, echoing the shelter’s mission of care, adaptability, and vitality.

The completed facility is both technically sophisticated and quietly humane. By embedding behavioral science, operational rigor, environmental performance, and architectural expression into every design decision, the project transforms a complex and highly regulated program into a clear, compassionate civic presence — one that serves animals, staff, and the broader community with equal care.

Achieving the highest quality of construction for the Evanston Animal Shelter required a disciplined, highly coordinated process responsive to both technical complexity and the project’s sensitive mission. From the outset, CCC Construction led a robust pre-construction effort that emphasized early problem-solving, detailed coordination, and a shared understanding of the specialized requirements of animal-care environments.

A fully developed 3D model served as the foundation for coordination and quality assurance, enabling precise alignment of architectural, structural, and MEP systems. This model was used not only to resolve traditional clashes, but also to evaluate spatial conditions affecting animal safety, stress reduction, and staff workflow. Extensive pre-construction coordination meetings, followed by consistent weekly site meetings, ensured that issues were identified and resolved before they could impact quality or schedule.

One of the most technically demanding aspects of the project was the masonry façade. Brick installation was coordinated brick-by-brick through the digital model, supported by supplemental mason drawings and full-scale mockups. Mockups were reviewed rigorously and dismantled if unacceptable, reinforcing a culture of precision and accountability. This approach resulted in a level of craftsmanship rarely achieved on civic projects of this scale.

The project faced significant construction challenges. The existing 1970s facility had severely deteriorated systems, fire hazards, and no medical or isolation capabilities, requiring careful demolition and sequencing. Soil remediation introduced further complexity, with contaminated soils removed or encapsulated under strict TACO procedures to protect workers and the environment. The site’s proximity to an active recycling center, public walking and biking paths, and the adjacent Oakton Corridor Improvement Project demanded meticulous phasing and daily coordination to maintain safety and access.

Mid-construction, the project was further challenged by national supply-chain disruptions affecting rooftop units, transformers, and electrical panels. The team responded proactively by redesigning electrical systems to accommodate alternative manufacturers and adjusting construction sequencing around long-lead items, preserving both quality and schedule. In addition, construction was temporarily adjusted to protect federally protected nesting migratory birds, requiring thoughtful site reconfiguration without compromising progress.

Through rigorous planning, advanced modeling, hands-on quality control, and adaptive problem-solving, the project team successfully delivered a technically complex, highly durable facility that meets the demanding operational, environmental, and welfare requirements of a modern animal shelter.

CCC had no safety issues on the project and there were zero incidents. A safety evaluation was performed on 6/25/2024 and the project scored 100% compliant.

The Evanston Animal Shelter is a deeply community-centered project that strengthens animal welfare, public health, and civic engagement across Evanston and the greater Cook County region. As an open-admission, no-kill facility, the shelter serves residents of all backgrounds by providing equitable access to animal-care services, including intake, adoption, short-term surrender support, and diversion programs that help families keep pets during times of hardship. Programs such as the pet-food pantry and foster network reduce barriers to care and support households experiencing financial or personal challenges.

Throughout construction, maintaining uninterrupted public service was a priority. The project team implemented a thoughtful temporary relocation strategy that ensured adoption, intake, and animal-care operations continued without interruption. Dogs were housed at the City’s recycling center, and cats were relocated to a nearby retail storefront, both locations selected for their accessibility to the public. This approach preserved continuity of service and reinforced the City’s commitment to animal welfare even during a complex construction process.

Community transparency and engagement were integral to the project. Donors, volunteers, aldermen, the mayor, and County officials were invited to tour the facility during construction, fostering public trust and shared stewardship. A celebratory grand opening was held prior to animal move-in, allowing the community to experience the new shelter without placing stress on animals and reinforcing the shelter’s role as a civic asset.

The project was made possible through a collaborative funding partnership between the City of Evanston, the Evanston Animal Shelter Association, Cook County Department of Animal & Rabies Control, and private donors, demonstrating an inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach to public investment. Today, the new shelter anchors a countywide network of programs, including stray handling and wildlife intake, extending its impact well beyond Evanston.

By pairing inclusive services, uninterrupted operations, public engagement, and regional collaboration, the Evanston Animal Shelter meaningfully improves quality of life for both residents and animals, reinforcing the City’s values of care, access, and community responsibility.

Founded in 1971 as a free medical clinic for Chicago’s Jewish community, The Ark has grown into a provider of comprehensive, wrap-around services for thousands of families in the Chicagoland area. After nearly 50 years since The Ark’s founding and 30 years at its California Avenue location, the organization had outgrown its facility, limiting its ability to deliver food assistance, healthcare access, and other social services. To meet the community’s expanded needs and prepare for the next 50 years, The Ark began planning renovations in 2017.

The Ark brought on Bulley & Andrews as the construction manager for the approximate 37,000 sq.ft. addition and renovation project. Eckenhoff Saunders Architects provided architecture, planning and interior design services.

The project features a two-story addition with a partial basement and significant interior renovations to the existing facility. Improvements focused on enhancing accessibility and life-safety code compliance, including the installation of a new elevator, egress stair, and a building-wide sprinkler system. The expanded headquarters allows The Ark to offer additional services and programs, improve operational efficiency, enhance client experience, and provide spaces that support confidentiality and staff collaboration.

The Ark’s neighborhood in West Rogers Park is characterized by brick bungalows and two-flats, larger multi-unit apartment buildings, schools, places of worship, and small businesses that serve the community. The Ark is nestled in this fabric, just north of the commercial spine of Devon Avenue, on California Avenue as the street transitions to residences.

The architecture is quietly distinctive, complementing its residential surroundings while also expressing an explicit “welcome” to its clients and neighbors.

To lend The Ark a unique but respectful identity, its masonry incorporated textured brick patterning, cast stone elements, and an intimate front entry canopy of wood and painted steel protecting the main entryway. Frosted and fritted double-height windows adjacent to the main entry suggest the presence of the public gathering spaces within and glow softly toward the south commercial portion of the street during evening community events.

Prior to this project, The Ark had used every bit of space available in its initial building which was created in the 1950’s. This renovation and expansion empowered The Ark to better support its community and staff in a facility almost 60% larger while being more efficient, secure and comfortable for its users.

This project focused on improving efficiency and flow of the space. For example, entries into the food pantry and community room are on axis with main circulation routes for easy navigation. Through construction of a tunnel connecting portions of the Lower Level, it was re-organized so that its main circulation axis would directly mirror the First Floor above. The building’s departments were also reorganized to separate staff-only administrative areas for better security and to consolidate public traffic.

Building security and access were enhanced in other ways as well, including laminated glazing, a control system, physical barriers to hostile vehicular entry, the addition of a dedicated security office overseeing the building entry sequence and a double-secure reception area with a direct view of the main entry.

The Ark wanted to provide clients with a welcoming setting that affords them privacy and dignity. To set that tone, the design’s most distinctive features are expressed in the public spaces of the new addition. These include natural daylight streaming into the building through laminated frosted or fritted glazing and double-height spaces. A palette of earth and sky tones with select bold hues establishes a warm feel in both the addition and renovation.

Finally, we refined some of the smaller details of the project to serve both clients and staff. The food pantry was rebuilt and repositioned as The Market to provide a grocery-style shopping experience for clients, giving them more agency and options to choose from. A secondary exit directly from the food pantry was provided so clients could choose to exit discreetly to the parking area. Building lighting, fixtures, and controls were coordinated to be capable of a “Sabbath” function for times of religious observance. The pharmacy was relocated so that clients could have convenient access without leaving the reception area. Staff amenities such as an exercise room, a wellness room, and dedicated lounges were also added. Finally, the roof deck area now offers a screened outdoor gathering and programming area for staff and clients.

The construction of The Ark’s addition as well as the renovation of its existing buildings presented a series of intricate challenges that required careful planning, coordination, and execution. One of the primary obstacles involved the relocation of existing west alleyway’s pole mounted utilities to accommodate the new two-story addition. This task demanded extensive collaboration with multiple utility companies to ensure that service disruptions were minimized and so that construction could proceed in a safe manner.

Another significant challenge was the engineering and installation of a temporary jack pile system. This system was essential to support the existing building foundation during the installation of concrete underpinning for a new elevator shaft. The temporary jack pile system required Chicago Office of Underground approval. The complexity of this process required precise calculations and innovative solutions to maintain structural integrity throughout the construction phase.

To seamlessly integrate the new addition with the existing structures, which dated back to the 1950s and 1960s, extensive field investigations and surveying were conducted. These efforts ensured that the new steel construction tie-ins were sized and designed accurately.

Additionally, the project addressed persistent flooding issues caused by a high-water table and city sewer backups. This involved the replacement and rerouting of the underground storm and sanitary piping system, a critical step in improving site drainage and preventing future water-related damage.

Finally, life safety code upgrades were implemented in the existing buildings. These upgrades included the installation of a sprinkler system and the addition of continuous rated ceiling enclosures to protect the wood bowstring roof support system. These measures not only enhanced fire safety but also ensured compliance with current building codes.

In summary, the project required a multifaceted approach to overcome structural, utility, and safety challenges. Through meticulous planning and collaboration, the team successfully navigated these obstacles, delivering a safe, functional, and integrated building addition.

Our team’s top priority is safety, and we are incredibly proud of the safety record for The Ark. Over the span of this project, we logged over 54,546 man hours and had 0 recordable incidents and 0 lost time accidents.

The Ark’s mission is to give back to the community and to create self-reliance for Jewish families and individuals throughout Chicagoland. This project has greatly increased the number of people they are able to serve and will widen the scope of their impact for years to come. With the new space, The Ark’s physical footprint increased by 60% and they are able to serve an additional 1,000 clients.

The Ark provides case management and social services, financial counseling and assistance, employment services, mental health services, food assistance, health clinics and a pharmacy, housing solutions, and spiritual enrichment for members of the community.

The numbers of The Ark’s impact speak for themselves. From July 2024 through June 2025 they served more than 5,000 families and individuals, made 178,560 meals possible, saved clients $250,000 with 10,000 free prescriptions, provided $71,737 in transportation assistance, distributed $30,000 worth of winter gear, and helped with $1.8 million dollars in financial assistance.

The new food pantry created by this project is four times larger than the previous one. The expansion also enhanced the pharmacy and healthcare facilities and created a larger area for community events. New services include child and family wellness, housing support, expanded dental care in a new, state-of-the-art clinic, and mental health support.

This renovation came at a critical time for the Chicago community, as the most recent government shutdown and new budget legislation have reduced or eliminated safety net programs for community members, including SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. More than 70% of The Ark’s clients rely on these benefits. As they shrink or disappear completely, clients are faced with the impossible choice of choosing between food, rent, medicine, or other essentials. The Ark was able to rise to the occasion and use emergency funds, volunteer engagement, and food donations to feed the community during this time.

The Ark also brings the community together through volunteering, with over 1,300 individuals coming together for more than 10,000 hours to support various programs.

“We knew we needed more capacity, but we also wanted to create a space that gave clients a sense of a brighter future,” CEO Marna Goldwin said. “So much of this space is designed to bring light in to help people look up and realize there’s so much hope ahead.”

The Ark is a vibrant hub of vital services whose mission is to create pathways of self-reliance for Jewish families and individuals across Chicagoland. They are a strong contender for the Community Impact Award, because the core of the organization as well as the motivation behind this expansion and renovation, is to serve the local community.

The Ark supports thousands of local families and individuals every year with food, health care, financial support, housing solutions, spiritual enrichment, and more. Their wholistic approach to helping the underserved make them a unique and incredibly valuable part of the Chicago community. This project has greatly increased the number of people they are able to serve and will widen the scope of their impact for years to come. With the new space, The Ark’s physical footprint increased by 60% and they are able to serve an additional 1,000 clients.

As a nonprofit, The Ark Brings Chicagoans together through fundraising, volunteering, and giving back.

The Ark has been an incredible resource for over 50 years, and we cannot wait to see what they are able to accomplish with their new space over the next 50.