setting a foundation for the future
When Illiana Christian School sought to relocate and expand, they partnered with AMDG Architects to develop a master plan designed to accommodate both the initial school needs and long-term growth. After extensive collaboration with faculty, leadership, and the broader school community, the vision crystallized: create a right-sized Phase 1 campus that honors today’s needs while seamlessly anticipating tomorrow’s expansion.
In 2016, Illiana Christian School made the bold decision to move 12 miles to Dyer, Indiana, a community poised for growth. AMDG’s design approach prioritized strategic restraint — carefully placing load-bearing walls and flexible spaces to anticipate future phases. A shared band and choral room, for example, was intentionally crafted to evolve into a home for the school’s wrestling team, exemplifying stewardship and flexibility in design. Every detail, from programmatic adjacencies to site circulation, was designed with an eye toward longevity. Throughout the process, AMDG worked together with Core Construction, and Lagestee-Mulder, ensuring the new high school honored the project budget and remained rooted in the school’s mission and values.
The new campus location required working with multiple jurisdictions — Lake County and the neighboring town of St. John — presenting complex zoning and utility infrastructure challenges. Simultaneously, coordinating with a dispersed team of consultants from Michigan and Indiana required forward-thinking communication strategies. At a time when virtual meetings were not the norm, AMDG embraced emerging technology to foster collaboration. During construction, AMDG worked with the CM to further develop the 3D models and perform full clash detection of the building systems to protect the project’s schedule and budget, reflecting AMDG’s commitment to excellence and stewardship.
Through thoughtful collaboration and strategic planning, the team not only delivered Phase 1 successfully but also helped the school extend their vision even further — preserving contingency funds and allowing the track and athletic fields to be completed as part of the first phase of construction. Today, Illiana Christian School thrives with a campus designed to grow alongside its community, providing spaces that embody mission, stewardship, and hope for generations to come.
