Evolution of the Modern Prototype

In 1968, the Chicago Board of Education assigned 26 school construction projects to the Public Building Commission

At this time, all of the schools were being built by the same planning module, though the PBC desired the buildings to be flexible to accommodate future educational concept changes. Therefore, building components, such as lighting-ceiling systems, electric-electronic panels, and movable metal partitions, were chosen for adaptability and carefully coordinated with the module.

During this 26-school building boom, the PBC introduced new and innovative concepts in planning and construction, including the development of Life Safety Standards and code approval for a polycarbonate glazing for school windows. The Life Safety Standards covered such areas as smoke compartmentation, and fire detection and sprinkler systems, and exceeded code requirements of that time, while the use of the nearly unbreakable plastic coating on school windows greatly reduced breakage and improved safety for students.

Another pioneering step toward the development of today's prototype was taken in 1970 with the creation of a Mass Purchase Program for the School-Park Program. This effort opened the door for the PBC to buy furniture, equipment, and standardized building materials in bulk under separate contracts.

After the program's initial success, a larger effort began that included the mass purchase of rooftop air conditioning units, electronic communication systems (pictured above), lighting-ceiling systems, partitions, carpeting, and solar control devices.

This began a process of standardizing certain building components and furnishings - from file cabinets to library shelving to athletic equipment - while capitalizing on significant cost savings of buying in bulk at a fixed price for the duration of a contract.

A second wave of construction projects was undertaken by the PBC at the request of the City of Chicago beginning in the early 1970s. The Public Health & Safety Program encompassed the construction of 11 fire stations, five police stations, 10 Department of Streets and Sanitation facilities, and three neighborhood health centers (pictured above - architectural rendering of a typical health center, the Englewood Neighborhood Health Center).

Though not yet called "prototypes," these projects were built on similar design concepts. Fire stations, for example, were based on variations of a single model, with either two-door or three-door stations, and oriented to fit each particular site.

Throughout the 1970s, Public Health & Safety projects were underway, simultaneously, in every corner of the city.

The Administrative section contained a Manual of Procedures for Architects that outlined the complete procedures to be followed in all phases of a School-Park Program project - from design to construction to final acceptance by the PBC. These particular guidelines also covered such topics as using standard building modules, standard drawing sizes, and methods of building area computation.

The Technical Standards established all visual, economic, and environmental criteria required by the PBC, with an emphasis on durability, ease of maintenance, operating costs, and coordination with the planning module.

Developed with the Chicago Board of Education, the Planning Standards for Educational Functions guidelines summarized the requirements for specific spaces, such as industrial arts workshops, science centers (diagram pictured above), performing arts centers, and resource centers.

Combined, these Guideline Documents served to implement the PBC's basic policy of making buildings that were not fixed in plan, but flexible to permit future changes - creating the foundation for the Public Building Commission's current flexible prototype designs.