University of Illinois

Resting just outside of the Chicago Loop, the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) campus comprises 10 million square feet of space in more than 100 buildings. CCS will assist UIC with project management services for the delivery of its 2018 implementation plan — a bold vision for changing the physical infrastructure of the UIC campus in a way that will enable the continued trajectory of UIC’s people and programs. The plan involves the physical development of buildings, infrastructure and transportation on UIC’s campus over the next 10 years. Major projects include new medical facilities, drug discovery and computer sciences research laboratory buildings, and a CTA transportation station, all developed as a part of this 50-year planning horizon.

We delivered preconcept budgeting for almost 50 capital projects across campus. The work involved performing walk-throughs of the physical spaces to identify a realistic scope for each project. CCS then developed concept-level quantitative and pricing assumptions into a concept level cost estimate with a scope basis. Estimates also addressed logistics for each individual project.

CCS performed a feasibility study for a 90,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art building addition to the Roger Adams Laboratory for the Center for Applied Molecular Science. The addition will house the departments of biochemistry, chemical and biomolecular engineering, and chemistry, and feature consolidated laboratories, classrooms, teaching support space and a 250-seat modern, high-profile lecture hall that facilitates live scientific demonstrations. The study will address the near-term and long-range requisites of the department’s instructional and research missions, and incorporate them into a transformative facility that will positively impact some of the most acclaimed, active, productive and well-funded units on campus. Designed by celebrated architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, this project is aiming to achieve a LEED Gold certification.

Since 1950, the Mechanical Engineering Building (MEB) has been the foundation and headquarters for one of the nation’s top engineering departments. With a gift from alumnus Sidney Lu, it became the Sidney Lu Mechanical Engineering Building. CCS played a key role in this 21st-century facility, which includes a five-level, 25,000-square-foot addition to the east of MEB, a 3,000-square-foot increase on the north end, and more than 60,000 square feet of existing space reimagined, reengineered and optimized for education, innovation and community. The Mechanical Science & Engineering Department deems this project vital, built on three pillars:

• Education: Transformed classrooms into optimal learning centers with advanced teaching methods and hands-on, project-based instruction
• Innovation: Constructed a 6,000-square-foot makerspace in the new east wing addition that flows into educational labs and a senior capstone design studio
• Community: Built social gathering/studying spots throughout the facility, including a new 3,000-square-foot open-design student center with tables, seating and a coffee shop

This project has a goal of a LEED Gold certification for new construction and major renovations.

CCS provided concept studies for three sites for on-campus parking, involving approximately 300,000 square feet. In total, the three lots add 2,500 parking spots to the campus.

CCS led the development of a 135,845-square-foot, five-story building that will house programs for the colleges of dentistry, social work, allied health sciences and public health. This building is part of a proposed expansion of the UIC Health Sciences Campus in Rockford to support its rural health professions educational programs and help address the acute shortage of healthcare professionals in Illinois. Spaces will include clinical dental space and support facilities, research labs, classrooms, simulation rooms and faculty offices.

We were part of a major $40 million renovation of the Richard T. Ubben Basketball Complex. The facility that originally opened in 1998 will undergo a facelift that will double the square footage of the building. Improvements will benefit both the men’s and women’s programs and will include additional court space, state-of-the-art sports medicine facilities, an enhanced strength and conditioning area, study spaces, expanded staff offices, and modern student-athlete amenities such as new locker rooms and team areas.

This project will expand the basketball practice courts to include two additional half-court areas and an opening between the men’s and women’s courts so the sides can be shared when only one team is practicing. A lower-level sports medicine area will include treatment and recovery areas, including hydrotherapy pools as well as new locker rooms, player lounges, team meeting rooms and other team amenities.

Existing offices and team areas will be converted into a large training area and a study room that will also be used for team dining. New coaches’ offices and meeting rooms are in the plans. The project also includes the development of a new entry off St. Mary’s Road that will include a circular drive and parking for recruits and their families, as well as a large enclosed glass recruiting lounge complete with memorabilia, uniform and shoe displays.