Monthly Archives: July 2022

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Jul, 2022

Summer 2022 – Illinois State Armory Renovation

Tilton, Kelly + Bell is currently designing a renovation and restoration for the historic Illinois State Armory building, working for the Illinois Capitol Development Board and Central Management Services.  The Armory is a 1930’s WPA building in Springfield, Illinois, prominently facing the Illinois State Capitol building.  Planning is being coordinated with the Capital Complex Master Plan, concurrently under development.   The State Historical Preservation Office is reviewing preservation efforts.

The project work includes a new roof, new skylights, a restored limestone façade, interior and exterior accessibility modifications, and a new circulation pattern and core location.  Comprehensive code and condition updates are required to the architecture and MEP systems throughout, with the goal of providing flexible, functional, and aesthetically pleasing office space to meet current and future needs.

Vacant for approximately ten years, the Armory presents a deteriorated condition, with considerable water damage from the roof affecting both the interior and the façade and outdated systems and condition throughout. The multi-story drill hall, a historic feature of the building, will be partially restored to preserve a dramatic core for the building’s planned 800 state workers.  The remainder of the drill hall will be incorporated into office space connecting two independent office stacks, increasing office space from 90,000 square feet to 96,000 square feet.  The modifications will increase efficiency per state guidelines and provide much-needed office space in the Capitol complex.

Summer 2022 – UIUC Krannert Art Museum

TKB is undertaking renovation of the Andean Gallery and Giertz Education Center at UIUC’s Krannert Art Museum, following the successful remodeling of the East Gallery in 2021.  Construction on the new project is expected in 2023.

In 2021, TKB worked closely with museum staff in designing the revitalization of the museum’s largest gallery space to provide the appropriate lighting and envelope for changing exhibits.  With the assistance of an exhibit designer, temporary partitions were inserted into the gallery to divide and directed visitor circulation through the space, adding 400 linear feet of critical new exhibit space for the museum.

Project execution required careful design of temporary partitions to assure stability.  Robust concealed support systems work within the minimalist gallery aesthetic.  A catwalk and harness system were added to ensure curatorial staff safety when installing suspended displays.  New programmable lighting controls produce balanced spectrum light which can be set for each exhibit and, where desired, for individual pieces within an exhibit.  The East Gallery focus on modern and contemporary art necessitated concealed electrical systems for digital art pieces.

New AC distribution systems provide a carefully controlled environment to preserve artworks and other materials.  An added extension of the existing pre-action fire suppressant system enhances fire safety at minimal risk to the art.

Chicago Public Schools Summers 2021-2022

Pre-K Classrooms

Under a new policy creating a universal Pre-K education system in the City of Chicago, the multi-year plan is creating free access to full day schooling for all Chicago children regardless of location or income. Because Pre-K programs have unique classroom requirements, the policy change launched renovations efforts across Chicago schools.  In the Summer of 2021 and currently in the Summer of 2022, TKB is updating classroom to Pre-K standards in a total of twelve schools. The scope of the work included refreshing and renovating rooms to meet Pre-K children’s needs by adjusting toilet rooms, counters and drinking fountains to a Pre-K height.  New finishes and the necessary accessibility updates complete the work.

Additionally, the TKB team partnered with the Chicago Public Schools to complete classroom renovations at 4 local elementary schools.  The work consisted of interior classroom renovations including new finishes and minor exterior site improvements.

Interior Classroom Renovations

In the Summer of 2021, TKB completed renovations at four elementary schools.  The changes comprised interior updates, new finishes, and minor exterior site improvements.  Like all CPS summer projects, the work was time sensitive, requiring completion before the new school term began.  TKB, CPS, and the contractor all had a role in accomplishing beneficial use of the space before school began last fall.

Roof Projects

For the Summer of 2022, TKB is undertaking full replacement of two school roofs, along with related work constituting limited exterior renovations and, at one of the school, full renovation of first floor toilet rooms to provide accessibility.  Completion is expected by summer’s end.

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