The building is anchored by a prominent student leadership center, food venues, a convenience store, a recreation venue, and a variety of enclosed meeting spaces. These rooms are joined by a flexible social and collaborative spaces that offer different
levels of privacy and the ability to comfortably accommodate an individual as well as a large group.
The first-floor student leadership center features flexible workspace, meeting areas, and offices for student government and volunteer groups to meet, while the expandable ballroom and banquet facilities on the second floor were designed for use by both
the university and community. All campus dining facilities moved into the new union, effectively making this building the “home” of the campus. Inside spaces spill out to a new “Student Life Plaza” framing the south end of
the main campus quad, putting student life and activity on display as well as creating opportunity for outdoor programming and large campus events.
From the start, students played an active role in the planning of the new facility, and many program decisions were based on student input.
Client
University of Illinois at Springfield
Certification
LEED® Gold
Awards
Facility Design Award of Excellence
Association of College Unions International 2019
Outstanding Design – Work in Progress
American School & University Architectural Portfolio 2015
Square Footage
52,208 SF
Cost
$19 million
Services
- Architecture
- Planning, Consulting and Advisory