Four higher education buildings designed by Dewberry for campuses in Peoria, Illinois, have been recognized by American School & University (AS&U) magazine for excellence in design. Dewberry provided architecture, interior design, and building engineering services for the recently completed projects.
The new Student Fitness Center and McCormick Hall (above photo courtesy of Mark Ballagg at Ballagg Photography) at Illinois State University, which Dewberry designed in association with RDG Planning and Design, won the magazine's Specialized Facility Citation. The 180,000-square-foot building houses the School of Kinesiology and Recreation and provides three stories of academic and fitness/recreation space. Jurors noted that, "The building's transparency allows for safety and security of students: a place to ‘see and be seen'…good spatial quality and use of natural light."
The CougarPlex (above photo courtesy of Mark Ballagg at Ballagg Photography) at Illinois Central College won AS&U's Sports Stadiums/Athletic Facilities Citation. The LEED Silver® project transformed an existing 37-year-old gym by renovating 9,000 square feet and adding 54,000 square feet of fitness, recreation, and academic space. Jury comments included: "The green roof, fitness floor, and track incorporate space limitations well…great inner courtyard space…skillful integration of old and new."
The magazine recognized two projects at Bradley University. The Hayden-Clark Alumni Center (above photo courtesy of Mark Ballagg at Ballagg Photography), a 40,000-square-foot, LEED Silver building with a conference center, ballroom, library, and offices, earned recognition for "Outstanding Design: Specialized Facilities."
The new Renaissance Coliseum (photo courtesy of Bradley University), which features a 4,200-seat arena, practice facilities, and a Hall of Fame, was noted for "Outstanding Design: Sports Stadiums/Athletic Facilities."