In 2017, the Elmhurst community passed a $168 million referendum to improve each of their school district facilities. The district buildings underwent an extensive preconstruction effort where each facility was evaluated. The design and construction management team then presented CUSD 205 with various renovation, expansion and new construction options for each building. Field Elementary School was among those considered. The school was more than 100 years old, the library was in the basement, the building was not handicapped accessible and flooding was a concern; so the district opted to replace it in its entirety.

This decision set the community and project team on an exciting multi-year journey rooted in collaboration, communication and ultimately, celebration of their newly completed future-ready school. The architecture and construction management team worked with school administrators to sequence district-wide construction in a manner that allowed students who were displaced during construction to attend neighboring schools within District 205.

The new Field Elementary is an 81,000 square foot, two-level learning environment that incorporates the latest in education design: a large gathering / presentation stair, individual break-out rooms, outdoor instruction and play environments, secured entrances with a dedicated administration wing and LEED Silver Certification.

Field Elementary was one of the oldest and most accessibility-challenged structures in a large, suburban unified school district. The new school replaced a building from the early 1900s with a two-story, state-of-the-art facility. It accommodates up to 600 students, kindergarten through 5th grade, and aligns with modern learning strategies consistent with the district’s mission.

The learning environments in this project were envisioned with the needs of today’s students in mind, contrasting strongly with the previous early 20th century building. Alignment with the way students learn and teachers teach was established through several public community engagement sessions and in-depth teacher/student workshops. The new education environments were developed to embrace different learning modalities and enable flexibility for future changes. Since today’s students learn by doing as a much larger part of their day, space for active learning was needed in grade-level “neighborhood” suites and public areas.

The innovative floorplan creates spatial intimacy and provides the opportunity for customized education in a large school setting. The scale of the academic neighborhoods allows students to feel part of a much smaller group within the greater whole. Ownership to a neighborhood is further strengthened by the unique feeling of each grade level design.

Accent paint, millwork finishes, carpet patterns, and custom signage announce living room entries. Incorporating both enclosed and open student support spaces allows students to remain within their zones for specialized services and project creation. Furniture selections give students choices and provide comfort in their daily activities. Overall flexibility of use contributes to staff and student well-being.

The delivery of a modern education requires more one-on-one and small group interactions as well as access to social emotional learning resources and speech, occupational, and physical therapy. These specialist interactions are distributed throughout the grade levels with the same positive spirit that is attributed to core learning spaces.

The appearance of the school focuses on authentic, shared memories and not on historic reproductions of the old building. The scale and proportions of the masses, roof profile, vernacular material, and color palettes informed the choices made for the exterior rather than designing to any specific architectural style. Fixed and operable windows were placed in the facade with respect to student height and proportion. An entry plaza, a community garden, multiple courtyard teaching spaces, and two outdoor instruction terraces (adjacent to the Art and Maker Space Labs) on the upper level provide students with learning opportunities outside of the typical learning environment.

The construction logistics of Field Elementary School were extremely challenging. A dense neighborhood surrounds the site on three of the four frontages. Additionally, the site is in close proximity to a heavily traveled roadway to the north. From project onset, the on-site superintendents partnered with district administration to communicate with area residents about any construction activities that may impact them. Our team upheld a strong commitment to maintaining neighbor “happiness” throughout the duration of the job and by the conclusion of the project, neighbors went so far as to bring coffee and donuts to our superintendents as a thank you for keeping them well-informed and the disruption minimal.

From a design perspective, although the appearance of Field Elementary is not based on a historic reproduction of the old school, the design team did intend to incorporate elements that paid homage to the former building’s antiquity. Masonry elements from the original building were removed with extreme care prior to demolition of the existing structure. Each of the elements were restored to their original beauty and reinstalled adjacent to the gathering stairs within the new building for all to enjoy.

72,957 man-hours went into the construction of Field Elementary School and there were zero safety incidents. From project onset, members of the construction management team met with school administrators to communicate a detailed logistics plan to all stakeholders. Safety was discussed at weekly subcontractor meetings by both the superintendent and the project manager.

As an added safety precaution, ICI uses a badging system for all workers on the job site. Every worker is issued a bar-coded photo ID badge on the first day they report to the site, and the badge must be attached to their hard hat while on site from that moment forward. The workers scan in at the job site trailer upon arrival each day and scan out at the day’s end. This provides ICI knowledge of every worker on site at all times and adds to an extra level of safety.

The student community benefits are numerous and range from a safe entries, curriculum-flexible media center and interactive dining commons that occupy the heart of the school. These areas also serve as the connective backbone between new program spaces such as enrichment studios for the sciences and arts. Daylight fills major portions of the building; vastly improving the student experience.

Teachers, staff, and administration now work from new, natural light-filled classrooms and a dedicated administration wing.

Field and other District-wide building improvements are drawing new residents and elevating educational delivery for the community. Elmhurst, Illinois, saw steady population growth from 2015 to 2024.

Field Elementary has a compelling mission statement for their students: The mission of Field School is to empower every student to achieve academic excellence and to become a responsible, caring citizen. Field students now have a learning environment that fosters fulfillment of this goal.

In the fall of 2023, Lockport Township High School District 205 experienced a ceiling collapse that revealed a series of life safety deficiencies requiring immediate attention. During the summer of 2024, Berglund Construction served as General Contractor to restore the affected areas, revitalizing the wood-framed structure and installing new ceiling systems.

Following the successful completion of that work, Lockport Township High School District 205 engaged Berglund Construction as Construction Manager as Agent to coordinate and complete additional life safety repairs at the Central Campus. Working closely with the District and DLA Architects, Berglund helped define and develop the scope of work necessary to ensure the facility could continue to safely serve students, staff, and the surrounding community. The resulting scope included masonry lintel replacement, roofing and roof deck replacement, and targeted electrical upgrades.

The LTHS Central Campus is approximately 100 years old, with multiple additions constructed over the course of the past century. The building’s oldest sections showed significant deterioration, including damaged exterior walls and water infiltration. As Construction Manager as Agent, Berglund conducted investigative assessments and determined that numerous masonry lintels required full replacement. The project included the removal, replacement, and flashing of 102 structural lintels, supported by extensive scaffolding erected within the interior courtyard and along the entire north elevation. This work was carefully coordinated while approximately 32,000 square feet of roof and roof deck were simultaneously replaced above.

As noted, Berglund Construction installed new ceilings throughout LTHS Central Campus during the summer of 2024. Because the project team had determined that the existing roof deck also required replacement, a carefully planned installation approach was necessary to avoid damaging the newly installed ceilings.

Working closely with DLA Architects, the team developed a solution that allowed the roof deck to be mechanically fastened rather than fully welded. This approach provided greater flexibility during installation and made it possible to leave the existing third-floor classroom ceilings in place, protecting recent work while successfully completing the roof replacement.

At this site, the work required extensive scaffolding, needle shoring, and selective opening of existing masonry walls, an intricate and demanding process that called for both expertise and detailed planning. This is where our 115-years of experience came into play.

During construction, the team discovered that portions of the parapet walls were not properly secured and required reconstruction. Four classrooms were located within what was originally an assembly hall with lofted ceilings. These ceilings were wood framed and part of an outdated truss system that supported the roof and masonry parapets. Over time, this system had begun pushing the parapet walls outward rather than holding them plumb.
After determining that the parapets needed to be rebuilt and the interior framing required additional support, Berglund Construction worked closely with DLA Architects to develop a restoration solution. Because these conditions were identified too late in the summer to complete the work before the school year began, construction had to be carefully coordinated while classes were in session. Through detailed planning with Lockport Township High School District staff, the team completed the new framing work efficiently and safely, allowing the affected classrooms to reopen just a few weeks into the school year.

Safety performance on this project was exceptional. Despite working six to seven days a week throughout the summer and logging thousands of man-hours, the project was completed with zero lost time incidents. This outstanding record reflects the strong safety culture maintained by the entire team and the consistent commitment of the tradespeople and supervisors on site. The achievement was recognized and commended by both the project team and the school district, reinforcing the shared focus on protecting workers while delivering the project safely and successfully.

As a public high school serving incoming freshmen in Lockport Township High School District 205, LTHS Central Campus plays a vital role not only as a place of learning, but as a safe and welcoming anchor for the broader community. Following the ceiling collapse in 2023, the incident had a profound impact on students, families, and staff. Restoring confidence in the building’s safety and stability became just as important as completing the physical repairs.

Through continued investment and collaboration, Lockport Township High School District 205 ensured the campus could operate safely and without incident, allowing students to return to a secure, supportive environment. The completed work reinforces the school’s role as a sustainable, reliable community resource – one that is structurally sound, prepared for future generations, and ready to support eager learners as they begin their high school experience.

The Northwestern University Deering Library Renovation thoughtfully blends historic preservation with modern updates, bringing new life to one of campus’s most iconic buildings while honoring its original character.

The project included extensive stone cleaning and restoration, carefully refreshing both the exterior and interior details to highlight the craftsmanship of the library’s Gothic architecture. Inside, the team restored existing millwork and crafted new hand-carved pieces that seamlessly complement the original design.

One of the standout spaces, the Martin Reading Room, received a full restoration, including refinished historic tables and chairs, while the grand third-floor lobby was transformed with new paneled millwork walls that now serve as a striking focal point of the building.
In addition to the specialty restoration work, the project included general upgrades throughout the library, such as refreshed paint, new flooring, updated office and support spaces, and modernized restrooms that improve accessibility and comfort while maintaining the building’s classic look.

Overall, the Deering Library renovation preserves the building’s historic significance while updating it to better serve students and scholars for years to come.

The design approach for the Northwestern University Deering Library renovation focused on honoring the building’s history while making it work for today. Rather than reinventing the space, the team set out to highlight the craftsmanship already there and thoughtfully build upon it.

Highly detailed drawings and thorough documentation were essential to the project’s success. With a historic building, no two conditions are the same, so the design team spent time studying original details, verifying conditions in the field, and collaborating closely with the construction team. This level of detail helped guide everything from stone restoration techniques to the recreation of hand-carved millwork.

Restoring and integrating new elements came with challenges, but those complexities ultimately elevated the project. Clear design intent and careful planning allowed restored features and new work to blend seamlessly, preserving the building’s character while improving function.

The result is a space that feels authentic, cohesive, and timeless – respecting Deering Library’s architectural legacy while enhancing the experience for students and scholars today.

The Northwestern University Deering Library renovation required a thoughtful, hands-on approach to ensure the highest level of quality from start to finish. With a tight timeline and an active campus setting, success depended on careful planning, clear communication, and close collaboration among the entire project team.

The work itself was highly detailed and complex, ranging from intricate millwork restoration and stone cleaning to integrating modern infrastructure within a historic building. Coordinating these efforts meant sequencing multiple trades with precision, adjusting to existing conditions as they were uncovered, and staying flexible as challenges arose—all while maintaining a safe, organized jobsite.

The team addressed these challenges by anticipating logistical constraints, staying proactive in the field, and keeping craftsmanship and safety at the forefront of every decision. When unexpected conditions surfaced, the team adapted quickly and worked together to keep the project moving forward.

In the end, strong teamwork, experience, and problem-solving allowed the project to meet its aggressive schedule while delivering a restoration that not only preserves the building’s historic character, but also exceeds expectations in both quality and appearance.

Safety was a top priority throughout the Northwestern University Deering Library renovation, and the results reflect that commitment. Despite the complexity of the work, tight schedule, and challenges of operating within an active campus environment, the project was completed with zero recordable safety incidents.

This outcome was driven by proactive planning, daily communication, and a shared responsibility among all trades to look out for one another. The team maintained a strong focus on hazard awareness, proper sequencing, and safe work practices—especially during high-risk activities such as stone restoration, detailed millwork installation, and coordination of multiple trades in confined spaces.

Regular safety meetings, clear expectations, and consistent oversight helped reinforce a culture where safety was never secondary to schedule or scope. By staying alert, adapting to changing site conditions, and addressing potential risks before they became issues, the team created a safe and controlled work environment from start to finish.

Ultimately, achieving zero recordable incidents on a project of this complexity underscores the team’s dedication to safety, professionalism, and the belief that everyone deserves to go home safe at the end of every day.

The restoration of Northwestern University Deering Library has made a noticeable difference across campus. Since reopening, library attendance has more than doubled – clear proof that students, faculty, and visitors are excited to be back in this iconic space.

By preserving Deering’s historic character while updating it for modern use, the project created a more welcoming, functional, and accessible environment for everyone. The refreshed reading rooms, inviting study areas, and beautifully restored details have turned the library into a lively place for learning, collaboration, and connection.

Beyond restoring a historic building, the project helped reestablish Deering Library as a central gathering place on campus, one that reflects Northwestern’s commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and community.

To meet the growing needs of young learners, Valley View School District 365U expanded Oak View Elementary School with a new Early Childhood Center (ECC). The ECC connects directly into the existing elementary school, and features modern classrooms, specialized features, and interactive learning spaces.

The ECC has eight learning studios with SMART Boards, cubbies, and open layouts with roll-out cots, and shared breakout rooms. Safety measures include two secured vestibules, cameras, and fenced playgrounds. A community conference room with an operable partition, AV technology, and tables are available to be rented. Additional spaces include a nurse’s office, kitchens, flex space, puppet room, sensory room, multi-purpose room with a bike track, and laundry room. Interior features include sky-blue ceilings, animal-themed rooms, and immersive wallpaper. The courtyard playground also has roadway-style signage, allowing children to ride tricycles and engage in imaginative play. This project had over 36,000 work hours and zero lost-time incidents.

The Debbie Sykora Early Childhood Center, named in honor of a beloved educator, was made possible by a state grant aimed at enhancing early childhood education. This 27,000-square-foot, one-story addition to Oak View Elementary School was designed to meet the growing demand for early childhood services in Bolingbrook, while providing a holistic learning environment that emphasizes nutrition education, active play, and meaningful outdoor engagement.

The center integrates biophilic design, incorporating natural materials and abundant daylight to create a nurturing atmosphere. Exterior walls feature a composite stone rainscreen system that not only enhances the building’s aesthetic appeal but also contributes to its energy efficiency. Inside, large windows flood the classrooms with natural light, creating a healthy and engaging space for young learners.

The center’s design features eight learning studios, each with adjoining jack-and-jill bathrooms, and shared break-out and storage rooms. Writable surfaces on cabinet doors and walls allow students to engage with their environment by drawing, writing, and problem-solving, offering endless opportunities for creativity and learning. Corridors feature interactive sensory and tactile wall treatments that encourage hands-on exploration and sensory development. These features support the center’s goal of fostering an active, engaged, and curious learning community.

With a focus on student wellness, the center features ADA-compliant bathrooms, accessible play areas, and spaces designed to promote emotional and physical well-being. The interior’s soothing color palette of soft blues, greens, and natural tones further promotes a calm and focused atmosphere conducive to learning.

The center’s site development included two new playgrounds with a sensory playground and a gross motor playground, as well as a redeveloped play area for the elementary school, all designed to encourage active outdoor play. A detention pond was also added to the site to manage stormwater runoff, ensuring sustainable development. The parking lot was redesigned and expanded to streamline drop-offs and pick-ups, minimizing traffic disruptions while enhancing safety and accessibility for families and staff.

Designed to serve as a community hub, the center provides multipurpose spaces for local engagement and educational programs, strengthening the connection between the school and the broader Bolingbrook community.

The Debbie Sykora Early Childhood Center represents more than just a building. It is a legacy that honors the vision of a dedicated educator while also addressing the needs of the Bolingbrook community. Through its nature-inspired detailing and materials, biophilic design, and innovative educational features, the center provides a dynamic environment where children can grow, explore, and connect with the world around them. With its emphasis on wellness, inclusivity, and forward-thinking design, the center ensures that every child has the opportunity to thrive, marking the beginning of a lifelong learning journey.

One major challenge faced during this project was the timely delivery of special exterior sheathing, affecting the schedule and jeopardizing reaching our completion milestone. The exterior sheathing specified for the project was a two-in-one product that served as both exterior sheathing and insulation.

Due to the 2024 East Coast port strike, carriers diverted their loads to the West Coast causing them to be overwhelmed with deliveries. This led to major delays in sorting and processing shipping containers, impacting the manufacturer’s delivery of materials needed to assemble products in the United States. The strike caused a six-week delay to the critical path at the beginning of winter, while the team was working to enclose the building.

F.H. Paschen and our trade partners worked tirelessly to come up with a recovery plan to absorb the delay and get the schedule back on track. Through pull planning, we were able to shift activities and stack trades to keep the project moving during the exterior sheathing delivery. The recovery plan was successful, and we turned over the project on time, under budget, and with minimal overtime, despite the sheathing impact.

Another challenge was integrating the new building with Oak View’s existing cast-in-place concrete structure. The design team used complementary materials and a new paint scheme for the existing Oak View Elementary School to ensure a cohesive architectural identity between the new addition and the original school. The new building also shares resources with Oak View Elementary School, including staff, playgrounds, and community spaces, enhancing collaboration between the two schools.

This project had an excellent safety record with over 36,000-man hours worked and zero lost time and OSHA recordable incidents.

To achieve these numbers, F.H. Paschen implemented a robust training program, requiring all supervisors to be 30-hour OSHA certified, first aid certified, and AED trained. We require mandatory Job Hazard Analysis on all self-performed work and implemented a Construction Safety Phasing Plan. Safety stand down meetings were held throughout the project on a variety of topics, to reinforce the safety-first mentality.

The ECC was named in honor of Debbie Sykora, one of the District’s tenured board members and former teachers. F.H. Paschen had the pleasure of being invited to the dedication ceremony where various community members came out to show support for their longtime teacher/colleague. The community conference room at the ECC is intended to be used as a space for the local community and families of the attending children. By bringing the community together, the ECC strengthens Valley View School District 365U and provides a safe, nurturing environment for children as they grow and progress through their education. The expansion aims to serve up to 895 early childhood students this year, a 36% increase from last year.

The Oak View Elementary School ECC Addition was supported through public funding, including a state grant that provided the district with $10 million. A key aspect of the funding was to track diverse spend. F.H. Paschen exceed the 10% MBE goal and 5% WBE goal by achieving 30% combined. In addition, the District signed an agreement with local unions to ensure that 10% of trade work hours were allocated to apprentices. This commitment was reinforced and discussed at the time of bid.