University of Illinois College of Engineering Concept Design

Project Info

Categories

Education

Location

Chicago, IL

SIZE

166,000 sf

SERVICES PROVIDED

site planning, programming, design concept, graphic renderings and animation

Key Personnel

Avram Lothan

Mary Ann Van Hook

Kerrie Mistry

Related Pages

ISSUU Flip Book Publication

Description

LVDA developed a program and design for a new 166,000 gsf, 6 story building for the College of Engineering (COE). The client envisions a collaborative facility that not only meets long-tern programmatic needs but also supports sustainability; experiential learning; and interdisciplinary research.

The site provides opportunities to connect the buildings serving the COE disciplines. The proposed concrete structure relates to the materiality of these other buildings yet is lighter because of a central light “core” allowing daylight to penetrate deep within the structure. Orientation towards Taylor Street and the transparency of the façade increases visibility, creating a dynamic presence for the COE on campus. It also allows for optimal solar orientation for daylighting strategy and heat gain reduction. The building is an example of large-scale implementation of green infrastructure and serves as a teaching tool and “field” trip for students. 

The design facilitates poject-based experiences and interdisciplinary research central to engineering education. The building houses active-learning classrooms with flexible configurations and spaces for collaboration. The open core circulation creates natural “bump into each other” situations in the lobby, café, garden atrium, and lounge areas around the central stair to foster impromptu gathering. A Collaborative Research Center combined with an adjacent Maker Lab creates flexible work space for students to share, create and build. 

Simulations, apps and dashboards showcase demonstrations of engineering. For example, exhibition and digital video walls showcase the work of students and faculty in the lobby and current environmental conditions are displayed for continuous building state assessment. Visualization labs and classrooms have testing capabilities and simulation tools that display real-time emissions, pollution concentrations, and human exposure to emulate a live field lab for research and teaching. 

The new COE building is an engaging learning environment that enhances interdisciplinary communication and potential for large, multi-investigator research.

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