Established in 1866, School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is an internationally acclaimed college of art and design associated with the Art Institute of Chicago, a world-renowned encyclopedic art museum.The School offers nationally accredited undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate programs to students from across the globe. SAIC advances its mission through twenty-three degree programs serving more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students.

This project involves conducting a study to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a geothermal heating system in two historic campus buildings at SAIC. These systems are designed to decarbonize buildings by relying exclusively on electricity for all heating and cooling requirements, eliminating the need for dependence on natural gas. Undertaking this endeavor in Chicago, particularly with buildings of this historical vantage, would be unique in our region. The completion of this study would not only advance the field of decarbonization projects in the Chicago area but also establish a pioneering model for future initiatives in higher education institutions. An FCI grant will allow SAIC to commission an engineering firm for the study. A request for proposal will be issued in September 2024, with the study commencing in January 2025. Results will be shared with SAIC leadership and leaders from the City of Chicago in summer 2025.