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Wight partnered with Resurrection College Prep High School, a private all-girls Catholic high school on Chicago's Northwest Side, to reimagine and modernize its athletic facilities while creating spaces that better support student wellness, connection, and team culture. The project transformed outdated 1950s-era locker rooms into contemporary team and physical education locker facilities designed to meet the needs and expectations of today's students. A significant improvement was the replacement of large, communal shower areas with private shower, toilet, and changing rooms, providing students with greater comfort, privacy, and dignity. Additionally, a varsity team corner was created with custom lockers to be used by each sport on the day of their games.

Through engagement workshops with student-athletes, Wight discovered that many students viewed the locker room as more than a place to prepare for practice. They expressed a desire for spaces where they could gather after school to socialize, build team camaraderie, and work on homework or group projects before practices began. Inspired by feedback typically associated with health clubs and spa-like wellness environments, the design incorporates comfortable lounge seating arranged in flexible groupings atop area rugs to define social zones within the locker room. Dedicated mirror stations with charging capabilities for laptops and mobile devices further support students' academic and social needs, creating a welcoming environment that extends beyond athletics.

The project also included a comprehensive renovation of the existing fitness center with new flooring, LED lighting, branding graphics and new equipment. A new flexible team room was created adjacent to the workout space and separated by a movable partition. When opened, the combined area functions as an expanded free-weight, yoga, and stretching zone; when closed, the team room provides a dedicated space for team meetings, instruction, or physical education classes. The training room was modernized with updated casework and equipment to better support student-athlete health and wellness. Completing the project, the adjacent competition gymnasium received a refinished wood athletic floor and new school-branded graphics, reinforcing school spirit and creating a vibrant setting for athletic competition and community events.

Photo Credit: Connor Steinkamp Photography

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Resurrection College Prep High School

Designing for today's student athletes.

Locker Room and Fitness Center Renovation