Columbia College announces new Gensler-designed student center

Chicago’s Columbia College, a higher education institution which focuses on art and media, has announced that it plans to erect a new five-story, 114,000 square-foot student center for its South Loop campus. The upcoming student center will be the first such facility in the institution’s 127-year history, Columbia College claims. In an announcement, Columbia College president Dr. Kwang-Wu Kim says that the new student center will be a “welcoming space as distinctive” as its student body.

Columbia College/Gensler

The announcement also included a few renderings of the planning facility. Global architecture firm Gensler was tapped by Columbia to lead design duties. The exterior features a glassy, almost modular look to it, while other renders depict a bright interior common area with a sleek contemporary feel. Described as a flexible space for the college’s 8,000 students, the student center will feature educational offerings such as dance studios and maker labs.

Columbia College/Gensler

Columbia College says that it will host a series of events for community members and students to learn more about the proposed development. The college is targeting a late 2018 completion for the new Gensler-designed student center.