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University of Chicago 5710 Student Center

The renovation and a new addition to a century-old masonry house provide administrative offices, conference rooms, and meeting spaces for various student organizations at the University of Chicago. Revamped interiors feature contemporary furnishings—most on movable casters—that promote spontaneous interactions and collaborative use of the spaces.

The addition’s multipurpose gathering space provides groups of 60 to 80 students with a flexible meeting space with state-of-the-art multimedia facilities. Glazed doors combined with carefully sunshaded and louvered windows expand the space to an outdoor patio when weather permits. The vegetative plantings contrast with copper panels to provide a uniquely contemporary space that encourages both social meeting and contemplation—reminiscent of the cloistered gothic courtyards that have defined the university for most of its history.

LOCATION: Chicago, IL
CLIENT: University of Chicago
ARCHITECT: UrbanWorks, Ltd.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Christopher Barrett
PROJECT INITIATION: 2006
COMPLETION OF WORK: 2007
SITE AREA: 10,500 SF (renovation with addition)