The Park District of Oak Park has chosen Patrick Brown of ORG, Inc., to rebuild the Field Recreation Center, a classroom facility in Field Park, at 935 Woodbine Ave.
The design competition was announced in February, after which 26 architects or architectural firms submitted designs for consideration. The winner was promised a $1.8 million contract to complete construction.
ORG, Inc., is a Chicago-based architecture studio. Brown founded the studio that does design, planning and construction.
His winning design for the competition is to construct a 4,600-square-foot facility on the northwest corner of the park, according to a PDOP press release. The new center will have a “natural play area” as well as constructed playgrounds.
Brown’s intention is for the new center to improve pick-up and drop-off access, visibility and neighborhood connections, according to the release. The new facility will still have classroom space, but with large windows to provide natural light.
“This project is a perfect reflection of our core values,” said Jan Arnold, executive director of the PDOP, in the release. “It not only meets the needs of our growing community but also exemplifies our deep commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and innovative thinking at every level. We couldn’t be more excited to see this vision come to life.”
A highlight of the design is Brown’s plan to build a performance stage to showcase performing arts. It will be the first one that the PDOP has, according to the release. The center will also have a kitchenette, storage and restrooms.
Chris Lindgren, the PDOP superintendent of parks and planning, also said in the release that the design reflects a commitment to innovation.
“Ideally, we hope they [Oak Park community] find a building which represents their shared vision and ambition for the future, a new marker of progress and point of pride,” Brown said in the release. “Practically, we hope they [Oak Park community] find an efficient, functional, and beautiful neighborhood park building which will serve many generations.”
Brown competed with submissions from organizations across the United States, according to the release. A jury of architects, designers and building experts helped select the winner. Designers were given two options in the competition: to preserve or to rebuild the center. Brown chose to rebuild, as did 18 other submissions.
In the first phase of the competition, the design teams’ identities were hidden from the jury. Residents were able to share their feedback with the judges through a QR code by viewing the designs at the Community Recreation Center between April 26 and May 5.
After the feedback was reviewed, the judges narrowed the choices down from 26 to three. Then a new panel with three of the original jurors, PDOP leadership and a PDOP board commissioner selected the winner.
The original Field Center was also designed and built in 1926 after a similar competition. Frank Lloyd Wright submitted a design at the time, but he lost to John Van Bergen.
Correction, Sept. 9, 2024: A previous version of this article misattributed a quote to the wrong individual. We regret the error.