Erie Elementary Charter School / John Ronan Architects

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Text description provided by the architects. Precast concrete panels stacked like blocks lend a playful character to this elementary school addition in Chicago. Responding to the owner's modest budget, the project's colored panels turn the school into a learning tool, its tectonic expression of stacked elements explains the way loads are carried to the ground in a way that can be understood by young school children. The ground and polished finish of the panels transforms an otherwise commonplace building component, and offers the institution a simple yet noble character.