Education Building Renovation
Chicago Botanic Garden
Opportunity: As the first building constructed on the grounds of the Chicago Botanic Garden in 1977, the Regenstein Education Center is the centerpiece of the Garden’s public programming and outreach. The Garden’s growing educational vision required a thorough assessment of all of the Garden’s properties which led to a significant re-purposing of the Regenstein facility which would include a new library.
Solution: While maintaining the integrity of Edward Larrabee Barnes’ original design, the renovation responds to the Garden’s contemporary goals by converting the Center to a more public space, better serving their mission to promote the enjoyment, understanding, and conservation of plants and the natural world. The relocation of administrative offices and the addition of a lower level allowed for the new Lenhardt Library, which required expanded storage space and a climate-controlled environment for their extensive rare book collection. Courtyards were also added for the display of their world-renowned bonsai collection, as well as additional halls and galleries for exhibitions.
Value: The realization of the new library brought forth the Garden’s growing rare book collection, horticultural reference materials, and prized bonsai collection, making many of the materials newly accessbile to the public.
