BTHC Altgeld Gardens

Originally designed by Keck and Keck and constructed in 1947, the Up-Top building in Altgeld Gardens served as the neighborhood’s social and economic core filled with locally owned businesses from a barber shop to a grocery store. Over the past 5 decades, injustice after injustice forced the commercial center into disrepair. 

Operating down the road, By The Hand Club for Kids saw the property as a beacon of opportunity for them to expand their services in the community and a restore what was previously a symbol of hope and progress for the neighborhood. Understanding the emotional connection many of the residents hold and historical significance of the building, BTHC embarked on achieving a Landmark designation for the existing structure. In addition to a Landmark designation, the community requested preservation of the Memorial Wall located in the breezeway of the building.

PFA designed the main entrance of the after school program to be located at the breezeway, providing the opportunity not only to preserve the Memorial Wall, but protect it within a glass enclosed lobby. The K‑7 grade classrooms offer calming views out onto the grassy western courtyard, while grades 8 – 12 combine in a higher education style space to form the hyphen between the original structure and the gymnasium addition to the south. Translucent Kalwall panels at the addition disperse natural light throughout the open gym space, yet eliminate any glare on the court. At night, the addition glows from within.