Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign: Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education

  • 10/01/15
Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education

PHOTOS © SCOTT MCDONALD, GREY CITY STUDIOS

The Chez Family Foundation Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education opened in September at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (UIUC). UIUC is a true leader in providing accessible environments by integrating students with disabilities into campus life. UIUC has worked to promote independence for individuals with disabilities since the late 1940s, welcoming disabled World War II GIs.

Taking the next step in the evolution of programs for veterans, the university commissioned a state-of-the-art Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education. UIUC selected LCM Architects of Chicago as the architect for this effort, recognizing the firm’s experience with designing spaces for individuals with disabilities.

The Center incorporates the principles of universal design, with the intent that everyone uses the facility with dignity. The design provides for everyone to use the building in the same way; the spaces are easily understandable, and easily useable. Details were carefully studied for all elements including the entry sequence; horizontal and vertical circulation; program spaces, including offices and classrooms; residential suites; teaching kitchen; and furniture.

The Center provides transitional living facilities to prepare severely wounded veterans to live independently while successfully pursuing their educational and career aspirations. The design intent was to create a comfortable and supportive environment. The Center provides 12 residential suites, as well as a common kitchen and dining area. The lounge and relaxation space provides a community area for both residents of the building and other student veterans.

In addition, the Center provides health and life skills management training, peer mentorship, academic tutoring, psychological and career counseling, rehabilitative services and employment services. Support spaces include a physical fitness center, laundry facilities, medical examination room, offices, training and classroom spaces and offices for supporting services.

The Center has been designed to meet LEED Gold certification.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Designing for Every Mind

    Learning environments have the power to shape not just what students know, but who they become. When a school is designed with genuine empathy—for the full range of ways students think, sense, and engage with the world—it becomes more than a building. It becomes a catalyst for growth, confidence, and belonging. That is the animating idea behind neurodiverse design, and it is one that is transforming how more architects and designers are thinking about school design.

  • Phoenix School District Breaks Ground on New Prep Academy

    The Creighton Elementary School District near Phoenix, Ariz., recently broke ground on a campus replacement for Biltmore Preparatory Academy, according to a news release. The new space will allow the school to expand its enrollment by 50 percent for K–8 students and accommodate modern, collaborative learning styles.

  • Nashville Elementary School Receives LEED Gold Certification

    Goodlettsville Elementary School, part of Metro Nashville Public Schools in Nashville, Tenn., recently achieved LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), according to a news release. The 81,750-square-foot school opened in 2023 and was designed by Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC).

  • S4L Announces 2026 Education Design Showcase Winners

    Spaces4Learning is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Education Design Showcase! Now in its 27th year, the annual awards program honors innovative solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction across K–12 and higher education.