Chicago Vocational Career Academy

TGRWA provided structural engineering services for the $50M renovation of the existing vocational high school in the southside Avalon Park neighborhood. The 480,000 sq. ft., 4-story building saw renovation and repairs throughout the entirety of the building for the Chicago Public Schools. The existing masonry, clay tile, concrete, and steel framed structure remained open during the project. Numerous large improvements, including a new cooling tower and support for heavy equipment, were required to support an updated educational program. Extensive structural repairs to the deteriorated masonry façade and embedded steel framing were necessary along with underpinning of the gymnasium wing.

• Owner: City of Chicago
• Architect: DLR Group
• Contractor: Solitt and Oakley Joint Venture
• Completion: 2015