Techny Prairie Activity Center

The Techny Prairie Activity Center is a 44,200-square-foot facility owned and operated by the Northbrook Park District. Inspired by the natural surroundings of Techny Prairie Park and Fields, the activity center is the park district’s first-ever dedicated indoor recreation facility. First occupied in January 2021, the building hosts a large gymnasium for court sports and includes a 6,000-square-foot fitness center, two large group fitness studios, a large stretching mezzanine and an eight-lap-per-mile walking/running track. Other amenities include a multipurpose community room with an outdoor patio and a childcare center for parents who are utilizing the facility. 

The Northbrook Park District is dedicated to providing healthy and sustainable experiences for its community. To align perfectly with this mission, the facility was designed to be a net zero energy building while delivering a healthy, daylit, comfortable space. Premium investments were made in the building’s high-performance envelope, highly efficient HVAC system, LED lighting with daylight harvesting, rooftop solar panels, and a control system that allows the project to be monitored for correct operation. One observation made by the building personnel is how comfortable the building is and how little energy is needed to heat and cool it when put into occupied mode in the mornings. 

In April 2021, the solar array was fully activated and tested. As of February 2022, the building achieved its goal of generating as much energy as it consumes and became only the third building in the state of Illinois to earn verified net zero energy status.

ARCHITECT OF RECORD

Wight & Company

Darien, Ill.

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