Architects for Humanity  is choosing the winner of its ?Classroom of the Future? contest, and a Chicago firm is in the running. Built Form is one of eight finalists for the $50k grand prize. Cara McConnell,Adam Fosnaugh, Stephen Poston, and Elizabeth Perry designed it for Northwestern University Settlement House  in West Town as a part of its new charter elementary school. The proposed classroom is a remote site for students to visit in Delavan, Wisconsin. Winners announced in early September.

Stephen says the firm has already worked on several projects with the Settlement House, so the contest opportunity seemed a good fit. By his early estimate, building the sustainable rural classroom would cost about $250k. The room isn't full of technology; instead it's a great way for students to learn in a different culture, Stephen says. The team interviewed several elementary school students, who all wanted more control of their environment, which led the team to create modular tables that could be folded into the walls. We're guessing that they didn't follow all the suggestions, as the building is not shaped like Optimus Prime.