Building Momentum

About the Book

The University of Illinois System’s universities have undergone a dramatic transformation. This lavishly illustrated volume showcases the major capital projects and renovations dedicated to keeping facilities on the cutting edge while at the same time preserving history at the universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, and Springfield. Fueled by an ambitious capital initiative launched in 2018, these essential and forward-looking changes include more than 500 projects valued at $4 billion over 10 years. The initiative harnesses a mix of innovative funding programs like public-private partnerships, thoughtful use of capital reserves and bonding authority, and generous state funding. Featured projects include:

• The Discovery Partners Institute, a world-class education and innovation center that anchors Chicago’s ambitious new neighborhood development, The 78;
• Building the Springfield university’s Student Union to LEED Gold standards, including a green roof with almost 200,000 plants and a rainwater reclamation system;
• The Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center, an inclusive space located near the Main Quad of the Urbana-Champaign university;
• The Drug Discovery and Cancer Research Pavilion, a pharmaceutical research hub located at UIC;
• The state-of-the-art Siebel Center for Design, an innovative learning space dedicated to collaboration and open to the entire student body and the Urbana-Champaign community;
• The acquisition and reimagining of a 26,400-square-foot building for the UIS Capitol Innovation Center;
• The renovation of UIC’s iconic University Hall.

Covering completed and ongoing projects, Building Momentum offers a one- or two-page feature on each undertaking that covers its history and purpose while providing specific details about its unit, campus, architect, square footage or renovation size, budget, and LEED or other certifications. More than 100 architectural drawings and commissioned and historical photographs round out the descriptions.