Chez Center for Veterans in Higher Education

140 student veterans use the center's services each semester

The first of its kind on a U.S. campus, the center provides transitional living facilities and support services to prepare veterans with disabilities to live independently while pursuing their educational and career aspirations.

Location
Urbana, Illinois
Scope of Services
Programming
Planning
Interior Design
Architecture
Universal Design
Certification
LEED Gold Registered

Size
32,000 SF

Construction Type
New

Special Recognition
Century of Service: An Illustrated History of The American Legion, featured
Chicago Architect, feature
Chicago Tribune, feature
Military Advance Education, feature
Falcons Landing Military Life Plan Community Blog, feature
College Planning & Management, feature
Student Housing Business, feature

The University embraced a universal design approach in developing an innovative program and facility for veterans in higher education. The center integrates student veterans with disabilities into academic and civilian life on campus. A unique program supports health and life skills training, peer mentorship, academic tutoring, psychological and career counseling, and employment services.

LCM’s design departed from a medical and clinical model by following universal design concepts. Our approach thoughtfully integrated and refined accessible details to improve functionality while maintaining high aesthetic standards. The result is a welcoming and inclusive building with inconspicuous accessibility features that all people use in the same dignified way.

Expressed in brick, stone, and metal panels, the exterior is designed for compatibility with the predominant campus architecture. Inside, warm colors and wood accents create home-like spaces infused with natural light.  

Veteran Center Is Front and Center on Campus
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“Often on campuses these services are in the basement of student union buildings. It is now changing and this building had a role in that. Other universities look to us and what we have done on our campus."
– William Goodman, Associate Dean for Administration, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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