Robert Crown Community Center

Evanston, IL

Designed by renowned architectural firm Woodhouse Tinucci, The Robert Crown Center building design grows directly out of its beautiful natural setting within Crown Park in Evanston Illinois. Glass around the entire building perimeter at grade level allows views into the building from the street and views of the street and fields from within. Translucent clerestory glass at the top building perimeter allows for natural day lighting of all spaces. AKLD Lighting Design worked closely with the architects to design the lighting and control systems. This energy efficient, sustainable building design was awarded a LEED Silver certification. The community center includes a new branch of the Evanston Library, two full-sized rinks, an indoor multi-sport athletic space, running track, meeting spaces and multi-purpose community rooms.

Daniel Stein, president of the nonprofit fundraising organization Friends of the Robert Crown Center, said residents insisted the city needed to improve the old center, which was plagued by structural issues and leaks. “There was so much demand to change what we were doing – from an educational standpoint, a recreational standpoint, and from an equity standpoint,”