CPS Lovett Elementary School ‘Dever’ Beam Renovation

Chicago, IL

Commonly known as a ‘Dever’ school, Lovett is one of 30 prototypical schools built in the late 1920s which displayed systemic concrete failures shortly after construction. Reinforced with steel members from atop the roof, within the attic, and from the basement in the early 1930s, this supplemental steel structure created long-term issues with the building’s enclosure systems.

AltusWorks was selected as Architect leading the execution of an established design solution for removing the steel members and permanently repairing the concrete structure. Using Fiber-Reinforced Polymer technology, the concrete beams and joists are strengthened in place and in doing so significantly impact adjacent systems requiring accessibility improvements, masonry restoration; roof replacement; MEP modifications and interior finish repairs.

The $15M project was phased over 2 summers, commencing construction with the onset of the pandemic and when in-person instruction recommenced, the work continued while the school was occupied.