Columbia College Chicago Granted Building Permit for Student Center

Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL, recently was granted a building permit, and announced it is preparing to begin work on a new student center in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood. The 114,000-square-foot facility, designed by Gensler, will fill a vacant lot.

The design for the new student center is centered on flexibility, including maker spaces, lofts, labs, and a fitness center and dining commons. The facility will feature a glass façade that allows occupants to look out and interact with the community surrounding it.

Columbia College Chicago Granted Building Permit for Student Center

With a groundbreaking held this past November, the center is targeting a completion date of early 2019.

Featured

  • Preparing for the Next Era of Healthcare Education, Innovation

    Across the country, public universities and community colleges are accelerating investments in healthcare education facilities as part of a broader strategy to address workforce shortages, modernize outdated infrastructure, and expand clinical training capacity. These projects, which are often located at the center of campus health and science districts, are no longer limited to traditional classrooms.

  • UNT Dallas Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for $100M STEM Building

    The University of North Texas at Dallas in Dallas, Texas, recently celebrated the opening of its new, $100-million STEM Building, according to local news. The ceremony on Dec. 2 preceded the first day of classes in the facility on Jan. 12, 2026.

  • Illinois District Boosts Security at High-School Stadium

    Richmond-Burton Community High School in Richmond, Ill., recently announced that it has completed the redesigned entrance to its high school stadium with a new focus on school security and community engagement, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects and Engineers on the project as part of District #157’s year-long facilities master plan.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part II

    As education leaders look toward 2026, the design of K–12 and higher education facilities is being reshaped by powerful, converging forces. Survey respondents point to the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education, deeper alignment with workforce and industry needs, and the accelerating influence of AI and emerging technologies.

Digital Edition