The University of Illinois School System, Discovery Partners Institute, & Illinois Capital Development Board
Discovery Partners Institute Headquarters
Working with a large team of notable consultants, Living Habitats was the landscape architect of record for the Discovery Partners Institute Headquarters (DPI), planned as a part of the University of Illinois School System and a new University of Illinois research and development hub within the emerging 78 Neighborhood on Chicago’s near west side. DPI’s public-private partnerships intend to link the energy and private venture of the City’s central business district with nearby educational institutions and the University of Illinois statewide system who together are interested in cultivating extensive and inclusive public-private partnerships in the region. For financial reasons, this project was abandoned by the client just prior to construction start.
The proposed site’s main feature was a richly detailed public plaza that would knit together the site and structure, serving as a platform for connectivity between future green spaces within the 78 Neighborhood and existing open spaces to the south and west. In alignment with DPI’s vision, the main plaza design provided an inclusive and welcoming public realm to cultivate opportunities for collaboration and exchange. A large and graphically striking paving pattern with integrated seating physically linked indoor and outdoor spaces, enlivening the ground plane, adding visual interest to the public realm and for those looking out the upper floor windows and interior atrium spaces. Detailed concrete planters were designed with robust native species to maximize urban biodiversity while offering visual interest throughout all seasons. These plaza plantings were to complement the surrounding urban landscape and enhance the impressive views from and around the building, looking upon diverse green roof, bioswale and native gardens surrounding the building and plaza.
Location:
Chicago, Illinois – The 78 Neighborhood
Date:
2020 – 2024
Client:
The University of Illinois School System
Discovery Partners Institute
Illinois Capital Development Board
Team:
OMA: Lead Design Architect
JACOBS: Prime and Executive Architect, Lab Planning Consultant
MEP/FP, IDEO: Innovation Consultant
STEARN JOGLEKAR and THORNTON THOMASETTI: Structure
PRIMERA and JACOBS: MEP/FP
THORNTON THOMASETTI: Façade
LIVING HABITATS: Landscape Architect of Record
KOO: Interior Design and FFE
AKLD: Lighting
SM+W: AV/IT, Acoustics, Data, Security
COLLINS: Civil & Geotech Engineer
LERCH BATES: Vertical Transportation, Waste Management, Material Handling, and Façade Access
ATELIER TEN and UPFRONT REGENERATIVE DESIGN: Sustainability
VISTARA and VERMEULENS: Cost Control
SGH: Code
