Eyas Landing -
Merlin Day Academy
Avondale, Chicago, Illinois
Located at 3319 N Elston, the project is the transformation of an existing 22,000 sf 2-story brick and steel building into specialized educational spaces, including classrooms, treatment rooms, therapy rooms, conference rooms and administrative offices. The existing parking will be partially transformed into an outdoor playground for the students.
The project re-imagines the entry sequence along Elston Ave, making it accessible while providing a new refined look that responds to Eyas Landing and the Merlin Day Academy. New architectural elements include an integrated wheelchair ramp with planter and areas for signage, a school mural, and the main entrance canopy framing the main entrance while providing a protected entry point.
The new dedicated school entry at the South facade provides students and faculty easy access to the playground and drop-off areas. A distinctive branded mural visually links the two entry points and extends the Eyas/Merlin branding across the building facade.
The challenge for the educational interiors of the school involved adapting the existing building conditions to create inviting public entry and reception areas while cultivating calm, soothing learning environments. The clean formal composition of the lobby space is paired with relaxing color tones and warm lighting, highlighted by an expansive exposed ceiling and distinctive linear lighting.
The challenge for the educational interiors of the school involved adapting the existing building conditions to create inviting public entry and reception areas while cultivating calm, soothing learning environments. The clean formal composition of the lobby space is paired with relaxing color tones and warm lighting, highlighted by an expansive exposed ceiling and distinctive linear lighting.
