Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill., is best known for its collegiate aviation program. It makes sense, then, that the planned 25,500-sf student center is designed to pay homage to the university’s heritage in aviation and aeronautics.
Some of the key elements of the structure include a 2.5-story glass atrium, dining hall, several outdoor terraces, and student life areas for gaming, recreation, media, and club activities. Perhaps the most unique aspect of the project, which was designed by Wight & Company, will be a vintage plane suspended by cables in the building’s atrium.
Enrollment at Lewis University has been steadily growing over the past decade, which has led to a large number of construction and renovation projects on the campus. Wight & Company was the architect for many of these projects.
The building will be Lewis University’s first-ever dedicated student center and will cater to both commuter and residential students. The school has announced its plan to name the center for its recently retired president Brother James Gaffney, FSC.
The project has just recently broken ground and is expected to be completed in August 2018.
Rendering courtesy of Wight & Company.
Rendering courtesy of Wight & Company.
Related Stories
University Buildings | Aug 22, 2018
Skanska completes James Madison University’s new dining hall
The three-story building will open for fall semester 2018.
University Buildings | Aug 14, 2018
Following in the Ryan Fieldhouse’s footsteps, Northwestern University’s Walter Athletics Center officially opens
Perkins+Will designed both the Ryan Fieldhouse and the new Walter Athletics Center.
University Buildings | Aug 9, 2018
First innovation building on the master planned UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park breaks ground
The building is the first of many planned for the 122-acre campus.
University Buildings | Aug 6, 2018
Academic honors: The importance of residence halls
Three recent projects demonstrate the dynamic role residence halls are playing on America’s college and university campuses.
University Buildings | Jul 30, 2018
University trends 2018: Schools are desperately searching for ways to economize
Though the U.S. economy is strong with investment gains buoying endowments, colleges and universities face pressures to economize and stretch their capital budgets.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 13, 2018
Student housing vs. multifamily housing—what are the differences?
While student and multi-family housing share a common building form, it’s the student resident that drives the innovation of new spaces.
University Buildings | Jul 11, 2018
Sac State’s new science complex and planetarium nears completion
CO Architects designed the facility.
University Buildings | Jul 5, 2018
Brown University’s Engineering Research Center increases the university’s School of Engineering lab space by 30%
KieranTimberlake designed the facility and Shawmut Design and Construction was the general contractor.
University Buildings | Jul 2, 2018
Columbus State Community College’s new hospitality management and culinary arts building breaks ground
DesignGroup is the architect for the project.
University Buildings | Jun 25, 2018
Virginia Commonwealth has at least three major expansion projects under construction
New buildings for outpatient care, engineering, and rehabilitation of serious injuries and debilities are scheduled to be completed in 2020.