Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

University of Illinois Breaks Ground on $105M Business School

  • By Matt Jones
  • 04/20/23

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Champaign, Ill., recently broke ground on a new facility for the Gies College of Business, according to local news. Wymer Hall, named after alumnus Steven S. Wymer—who donated $25 million towards the building’s construction—will measure in at 100,000 square feet and will cost an estimated $105 million. The building is scheduled for completion by the end of 2024, local news reports.

According to the university website, the hybrid educational facility will play home to collaboration spaces, flexible and traditional classrooms, informal learning spaces, content creation studios, and administrative space. Its expanded studio spaces and recording facilities will ease the creation of online courses and programs for the entire campus.

“The future of business education will include online, residential, and hybrid learning,” said Jeffrey R. Brown, business professor, in a news release. This new facility is designed for the future and with that vision in mind. Even what we think of as ‘traditional’ classrooms will be able to support all types of learning and that’s going to enable us to deliver a powerful education in exciting new ways.”

Amenities will include a 200-seat auditorium, two 80-seat classrooms, and four 60-seat classrooms; two sound stages five black-box studios, and six control booths; 18 meeting and collaboration spaces; and 84 office spaces, according to the university website.

The university partnered with LMN Architects and Booth Hansen for the project’s design.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Wold Completes Geothermal Projects at Two Minnesota Schools

    Wold Architects & Engineers recently announced that it has completed two geothermal expansion projects for Mounds View Public Schools in Shoreview, Minn., according to a news release. The work at Highview Middle School and Irondale High School serves the district’s long-term goal of reducing energy costs and dependency on non-renewable fuel sources, as well as improving building performance.

  • Designing the Bridge Between Inclusivity and Independence in K–12 Schools

    Fostering independence is fundamental to learning and development for K–12 students. It offers many proven benefits, such as enhanced confidence, problem-solving, decision-making, and social skills. However, this foundational objective loses its impact if it’s not accessible and adaptable to all students. Inclusivity plays a critical role in cultivating independence and healthy autonomy for students, fostering positive student learning outcomes by uniting pedagogy with the physical learning environment.

  • Big Horn Academy

    Big Horn Academy

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Big Horn Academy has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • RIT Saunders College of Business – Lowenthal Hall Addition

    RIT Saunders College of Business – Lowenthal Hall Addition

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. RIT Saunders College of Business's Lowenthal Hall Addition has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.