The new Sycamore Community School District E.H. Greene Intermediate School was constructed in phases in order to keep the original building operational until the new build was completed on the same site. The intermediate school services grades five + six.

The new two-story structure, constructed with cast-in-place concrete slabs + masonry walls, houses classrooms, two interior courtyards, a cafeteria with performance stage, media/STEAM space, and administrative areas. While the majority of the previous building was demolished, its gyms + cafeteria remained and were repurposed into a music suite for band, orchestra + choir classes. The entrance of the new building features a 120-ft long canopy.

The team solved numerous challenges on this complex project. A custom steel truss was designed to keep the new cafeteria’s sightlines open. One new phase was designed to accommodate a large mechanical penthouse responsible for supplying most of the school’s mechanical needs.

The intermediate school was a part of a district master plan. Schaefer also designed the high school renovation, new junior high school, Symmes Elementary School renovation + addition, and the stadium’s concessions building.