Chicago-based Ross Barney Architects has completed an innovative technical school building in Crystal Lake, Illinois, that turns mechanical systems into teaching tools. The Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation at McHenry County College features exposed ducts, machinery, and structural elements designed to supplement the curriculum for students studying heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and other technical trades. Carol Ross Barney, the firm's founder and an AIA Gold Medal recipient, described the project as creating a "noble space" that goes beyond functional laboratory requirements to become truly aspirational for students pursuing technical careers.
The long, horizontal building sits partially embedded into its site and divides lengthwise into two distinct zones. One side contains two floors of smaller classrooms and labs, while the opposite side features double-height spaces to accommodate massive workshops and industrial equipment. The exterior combines gray brick with semi-transparent polycarbonate panels that create a "cathedral-like" glow at night, making the building a noticeable landmark on campus. Ross Barney explained that the relatively simple material palette helped control costs while achieving the desired industrial aesthetic that reflects the building's educational purpose.
A central atrium serves as the primary circulation spine, separating the classroom and workshop wings while flooding both spaces with natural light through a long monitor window projecting from the roof. Inside, the design exposes corrugated metal ceiling structure, white-painted I-beams, and cross braces, creating an authentic industrial atmosphere. Yellow detailing on walls and furniture provides visual distinction between different program areas. The main entrance on the ground floor features a polished concrete library with social steps that appear to extend through glass walls, connecting to a secondary entrance on the upper level.
The most innovative aspect involves exposing mechanical elements specifically for educational purposes. Students in the HVAC program can observe real-time building systems operation, with some mechanical rooms even featuring windows for direct observation. Ross Barney noted that showing students the actual systems they repair and maintain adds tremendous value to their education. "If that's what you're here to learn, you might as well look at the ones that are running this building," she explained. This approach transforms the architecture itself into a living textbook.
The polycarbonate panels provide more than aesthetic appeal—they insulate the energy-intensive structure while allowing abundant natural light, reducing operational costs. A catwalk above the atrium connects second-story classrooms to floating classrooms suspended over the workshops, creating dynamic visual connections between different learning environments. The design reflects Ross Barney Architects' analytical approach, which has also shaped high-profile public projects like the Chicago Riverwalk and major transportation infrastructure.
While the firm is better known for large-scale urban projects, Ross Barney emphasized that technical schools like CATI align perfectly with their design philosophy. The studio previously designed a laboratory for NASA in Cleveland, demonstrating expertise in complex functional requirements. The McHenry County College project proves that educational architecture can be both cost-effective and inspiring, exposing students to professional-grade environments that prepare them for real-world technical careers. As vocational education gains renewed importance in the American economy, this building offers a model for how architecture can actively support hands-on learning.
