New Lenox (Ill.) Village Hall
Award of Merit: Public Works
The village of New Lenox, Ill., stands at a crossroads. Completion of the south extension of the Illinois Tollway will bring new growth to the community, and its location along the Route 30 corridor is seeing rapid population increases.
The new village hall is designed to accommodate the influx of activity and serve residents for years to come.
It is the anchor of the New Lenox Village Commons, newly developed land that includes the library, amphitheater, formal garden and other buildings.
The village administration had been crammed in a small office and was motivated to expedite the design and construction of the new facility.
The site has a change in elevation from the south to north. It was decided the village hall would sit on the southern end and highest point of the site. The location gives it a commanding view of the Village Commons and is visible from Route 30, a major thoroughfare.
‘Proud Americans’’ Home
New Lenox is the “Home of Proud Americans” and as such the Colonial Williamsburg style was selected.
The building is designed to say welcome. Visitors enter under a covered porch supported by Doric columns and are welcomed by a dramatic domed rotunda.
From the exterior, the building has classic features: a square, symmetrical shape; a central “front” door, lines of windows and similar elements. Modern construction allowed features that include cornices, columns and domes to be built using fiberglass shapes, rather than labor-intensive wood.
The interior woodwork is the showcase feature. The trim used through connects the interior with the exterior.
With a number of curved walls, domes, rails and columns, constructability was an obstacle. Also, many of the curved items were built late in construction.
The construction manager worked closely with the subcontractors so that finish items would be supported when the walls, domes and columns were built.
Special attention was paid to the large rotunda dome in the entryway. As the main focus point, the dome needed to be perfect. The reinforced gypsum structure took 12 weeks to complete.
It was important to sequence the trade contractors carefully when working with the variety of finish items. The building was enclosed and conditioned before work could begin the painting, cabinetry, carpet and wood installation.
Jury Comments: “This is a beautiful Colonial building. It will help residents feel pride in their town.”
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