The University’s ‘Project Oasis’ initiative transforms underutilized areas into comfortable, informal learning spaces for students to gather between classes.
Interior Design
Construction Type :
Renovation
Size:
6,276 SF
LCM provided full architectural services to renovate the third floor of UIC’s Burnham Hall, originally built in the 1960s. New lighting, furniture, finishes, and acoustic treatment transform five classrooms and the main corridor into a more contemporary model.
The redesigned main hallway serves as both a circulation and gathering space. Comfortably furnished and considerably brighter, the new hospitable space diverges dramatically from its original austere appearance and function. Existing structural columns bordering both sides of the corridor create seating areas for individuals or groups. Color, shapes, materials, and lighting define each distinctive ‘nook’, visually refashioning the corridor’s rigid symmetry. Suspended ceiling clouds give each gathering space a unique identity and an intimate ambiance conducive to quiet conversation or study.
Classrooms feature new furnishings, finishes, acoustics, and updated technology. The largest are configured in a case study format with raised flooring and fixed furniture.
Renovation work included replacement of fan coils, additional exhaust ventilation and ductwork as well as roof replacement.
