A new research and manufacturing facility opened its Goose Island, Chicago, doors today, the firm behind the building’s design, SOM, announced.
The facility, called the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute, is operated by Chicago-based collaborative UI LABS, which brings together universities, industries, national labs, and civic and government partners to “research, develop, and apply solutions to critical economic and industrial challenges.”
Located near downtown Chicago in the city’s Industrial Corridor, the 64,000-sf facility occupies a portion of an existing 285,000-sf manufacturing building.
©Christopher Barrett
From the architects:
“SOM began by transforming the building’s rear facade, glazing three of the building’s 14 structural bays from floor to ceiling in order to create a welcoming entrance and flood the space with daylight.
“Once inside, visitors step into a double-height open atrium — known as the town hall — which has been fit out as a work, social, and reception space. The town hall leads to a state-of-the-art classroom and a multipurpose room that can hold 75 and 200 people, respectively. These two rooms encourage both formal and informal learning and have been equipped with the technology required for collaboration with off-site partners.
“Behind the town hall lies the heart of the facility: a 22,400-square-foot digital manufacturing floor, a collaborative engineering space, two open workspaces, a cafe/social hub, and permanent staff office, conferencing, and boardroom spaces. Flexibility and visual connectivity underpin the comprehensive design.
“Floor-to-ceiling ultra-transparent glass separates the manufacturing floor from the open workspaces and cafe. This wall visually connects manufacturing activity to the collaboration spaces and helps diffuse daylight from the existing clerestory windows deep into the facility, flooding the interior in natural light.
“Workspaces are programmed to accommodate variation in densities and types of furnishings. Modular workstations and breakout areas are arranged in an open studio setup to foster collaboration, make spatial re-programming simple, and keep sight lines across the facility clear. Staff offices, the boardroom, researchers’ offices, and conferencing areas are similarly flexible.”
©Christopher Barrett
©Christopher Barrett
©Christopher Barrett
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Sep 20, 2017
New housing development rises from a historic textile mill’s ashes
Loft Five50 will add 137 housing units to Lawrence, Mass.
Industrial Facilities | Sep 13, 2017
TRUMPF’s ‘smart factory’ is a factory and showroom in one
The new facility is located in Hoffman Estates, Ill., not far from Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Industrial Facilities | Aug 29, 2017
Clayco completes construction on Georgia-Pacific Distribution Center
The new facility expands on the company’s old distribution facility by over 300,000 sf.
Transportation & Parking Facilities | Aug 6, 2017
Post Panama Canal expansion, the top three U.S. ports still rule
But land constraints around the terminals are pushing asset prices and rents to new highs.
Office Buildings | Jul 27, 2017
*UPDATED* This will be the largest flight training center in Europe and the Middle East
The center will cover about 30,000 sm and feature 18 simulators.
Industrial Facilities | Jul 26, 2017
EGGER will invest $700 million to build its first U.S. manufacturing facility
The company says the new facility will create 770 jobs over the next 15 years.
Industrial Facilities | Jul 21, 2017
Ridge breaks ground on two industrial buildings at Charleston Logistics Center
The buildings will total 686,300 sf, with each building accounting for 343,150 sf.
Market Data | Apr 13, 2017
2016’s top 10 states for commercial development
Three new states creep into the top 10 while first and second place remain unchanged.
Industrial Facilities | Apr 12, 2017
Energizing the neighborhood
The Denny Substation in Seattle is designed to give local residents a reason to visit.
Industrial Facilities | Feb 21, 2017
Made in NY Campus to be a hub for film and fashion
The project looks to provide an enhanced sense of place for tenant companies and community members.