Gilbane Building and North Shore School District Celebrate Ribbon Cutting at Ravinia Elementary School
Chicago, IL – August 15, 2025 – Gilbane Building, in partnership with North Shore School District 112, proudly celebrated the ribbon cutting of the newly modernized Ravinia Elementary School. The event marked a major milestone in the District’s Long-Range Facilities Plan and the completion of a transformative renovation project that blends 21st-century learning environments with cutting-edge sustainability.
The revitalized school now features flexible learning spaces, enhanced safety and accessibility, and a state-of-the-art geothermal HVAC system—the first-of-its-kind Dynamic Closed Loop (DCL) system in the United States. This innovative system, designed and installed by Trane Technologies, is expected to reduce the school’s carbon footprint by up to 30% and deliver more than $3 million in long-term savings.
The renovation was made possible through funding from a 2022 referendum, which was supported by 72% of voters, demonstrating strong community commitment to educational excellence and sustainable infrastructure.
The project presented significant structural challenges, requiring creative problem-solving and close coordination among all project partners. Gilbane worked together with Wight & Company, the project architect, to navigate complex design and construction issues, ensuring the project remained on schedule and within budget. This collaborative approach was key to delivering a modernized facility that meets the evolving needs of students and educators.
“This project is emblematic of our mission to honor the past while building a brighter future,” said Dr. Mike Lubelfeld, Superintendent of North Shore School District 112. “Installing the most advanced geothermal system in the country at our oldest school site is a powerful symbol of our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and educational excellence.”
“It’s been an honor to partner with North Shore School District 112 on this visionary project. Ravinia Elementary now stands as a model for what’s possible when innovation, sustainability, and community come together,” said David Lumley, project executive at Gilbane Building. “We’re proud to have delivered a facility that will serve generations of learners.”
The ribbon cutting ceremony brought together students, staff, families, and community leaders to celebrate this exciting new chapter for Ravinia Elementary School.
Gilbane Building has proudly partnered with North Shore School District 112 for over a decade, delivering high-quality learning environments that reflect the District’s values and vision. Ravinia Elementary School is the latest in a series of successful collaborations that continue to shape the future of education in Highland Park, Illinois.
About North Shore School District 112
North Shore School District 112 is a transformative learning organization where curiosity inspires minds, innovation shapes the future, and students, staff, and families engage to create a kind and connected community that is committed to excellence. To learn more, visit www.nssd112.org.
About Gilbane Building
Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services – from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build, and facility management services – for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations worldwide. Since 1978, Gilbane has delivered innovative construction solutions in Chicago for clients across multiple market sectors, including healthcare, higher education, K-12 education, and public sector, corporate and interiors, developer, residential, life sciences, and industrial. For more information, visit www.gilbaneco.com.