Gary Comer Youth Center

The Gary Comer Youth Center was built specifically to support the activities of The South Shore Drill Team and programmes for children of the neighbouring Paul Revere School. Educational and recreational spaces wrap the Drill Team's main practice and performance area, with major spaces exposed on the building exterior to promote the activity inside to the community, and invite participation. According to the architect, John Ronan, "The idea was to feed off the energy of the Drill Team and let that permeate the building." It is located in the south side of Chicago and stands out against a mix of industrial buildings, empty lots and single family homes. Aside from the striking coloured panel façade, the most interesting part of this project is the green roof that is wholly integrated into the building program. Here, city children are taught to grow and harvest vegetables, flowers, herbs and grasses. Skylights in the garden penetrate to the gymnasium and cafeteria below.