The University of 缅北禁地 Springfield鈥檚 new Student Union building was honored with an excellence in design award by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) during the Prairie Chapter Design Meeting and Awards Program in Bloomington, 缅北禁地 on Nov. 1, 2018.
The building was designed by of Milwaukee, Wisconsin & of Peoria, 缅北禁地 to LEED庐 Gold guidelines, with sustainable features which include a green roof, energy efficient lighting, rainwater reclamation system and radiant flooring in select areas.
The two-story, 50,000-square-foot student union anchors the campus鈥檚 south quad, providing campus dining services, a Starbucks coffee shop, a ballroom with seating for up to 450 people and a Student Leadership Center that houses student government, volunteer offices and workspaces for student organizations.
Since the building鈥檚 opening in January 2018, the Student Union has helped to energize campus life, creating a vibrant social environment in the heart of campus.
In evaluating the Student Union鈥檚 design, the nationally-renowned design jury commented, 鈥淭he project offers a modern, fresh and spacious interactive space. The proposed program with flexible work spaces and overlapped activities seems very appropriate as a social catalyst for students on campus. The goals of the project are noble, to create a central place for what鈥檚 otherwise a commuter campus. I think they have done a great job. The building is a striking, inviting sculptural form. Its plan is well organized and the volumes within the building 鈥� for student government and the Starbucks pavilion, are nicely scaled and inviting.鈥�
According to AIA, projects were judged by measuring the architect鈥檚 performance against each project鈥檚 potential and not against other projects. Decisions were based upon the overall excellence of design in various categories.
For more information on the 2018 Prairie Chapter Design Awards, visit .