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University Center of Lake County

Multi-College/University Academic Center Grayslake, Illinois

Higher Education

First-of-its-kind academic center houses 20 institutions under one roof

The client, a partnership between 20 Illinois higher education institutions, operated classrooms in shared buildings, but it had no core facility – no “face” to show the community.

This project unveils the solution: the University Center of Lake County. The first facility of its kind in Illinois, the 91,000-square-foot facility enables the client to offer degree and professional development programs from all its partner institutions under one roof.

HIGHLIGHTS

Centrally-located student commons features 3-story glass wall with views to courtyard
1.5-story conference space includes flexible meeting spaces
Living room style alcoves and conference spaces between classrooms promote collaborative learning

One Building, Five Houses

Five “houses” surround the outdoor courtyard; large and small gaps within and between houses break up the massing and give the feel of a multi-building campus.

Ribbons of Metal

Metal ribbons weave in and out of the exterior curtain wall to create balconies and benches; the ribbons carry through to the interior to define balconies and a spiral staircase.

Multifunctional Conference Space

The conference area includes flexible meeting spaces (e.g., multi-purpose room divides into 3 smaller spaces), enabling academic and corporate uses.

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Distinct yet Compatible

The project team faced a significant challenge: design a facility that stands apart from, yet harmonizes with the adjacent College of Lake County buildings. The design responds by merging traditional and contemporary elements:

A formal brick façade faces the community and complements other campus facilities. This façade also has a glass wall and a 4-story stair tower to identify the University Center.
The facility wraps around a central courtyard. Curving glass and metal depart from the traditional forms and materials of other campus buildings and reflect the University Center’s sophisticated image.