The exterior facade work of the new Computer Design Research and Learning Center at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), located at 900 W Taylor Street in Little Italy, is nearing exterior completion. The five-story educational addition will seamlessly connect with the pre-existing Science and Engineering Labs building, further augmenting UIC’s capabilities in its computer science curriculum and associated research endeavors.
900 W Taylor Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
900 W Taylor Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
900 W Taylor Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
Encompassing 135,000 square feet, this facility will boast 16,000 square feet exclusively for classrooms, a suite of 35 labs, administrative offices, and a sophisticated robotics lab. A spacious terrace on the third floor will offer additional community outdoor lounging, while a full-height atrium is set to optimize natural light dispersion and provide connectivity between the newly constructed and pre-existing structures.
900 W Taylor Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
900 W Taylor Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
Booth Hansen, working with Seattle-based LMN Architects, is the creative force behind the center’s distinctive contemporary architecture. This signature design highlights a sinuous facade punctuated by wide recessed windows mixed with with terracotta detailing and concrete paneling.
In addition its merger with the existing campus parking infrastructure, this location is integrated with multiple transportation options. Notably, the CTA L Blue Line at UIC-Halsted station is situated a nine-minute walk north. The adjacent 900 W Taylor Street junction facilitates bus services via Route 157, with other accessible stops for Routes 8 and 12 a five-minute walk away.
900 W Taylor Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
900 W Taylor Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
900 W Taylor Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
900 W Taylor Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
With an investment of $125 million, W.E. O’Neil Construction is helming the project as the principal contractor, while Duco Cement Construction lends its expertise to the concrete assignments. The center is slated to open its doors this fall.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
I’m fearful those concrete panels will be an open invitation to graffiti ‘artists’ unless there is some sort of deflective coating.. otherwise a dramatic presence.