zpd+a is proud to announce that the BCBS Morgan Park Service Center is one of Engineering News Record Midwest’s 2021 Best Project Interior / Tenant!
zpd+a and Pepper Construction are delighted to celebrate this respected recognition for the engineering success at the Morgan Park Service Center. “Building Back Better” is an integral part of Adaptive Reuse, and the re-activation of the abandoned 130,000sf big box store into a lively workspace and supportive community environment reflects that mission.
In just 33 weeks, the big-box retail space was transformed into an office and community center that provides health and wellness services to the local neighborhood. To bring natural light into the expansive interior, openings were cut into the roof to create two distinctive centralized courtyards. The process began by reinforcing the building’s foundation with additional structural steel, then expediting curtain wall installation to help protect the structure from weather intrusion. As roof-cutting work began, industrial fans helped keep interior air clear so that other demolition and fit-up activity could proceed safely.