The University of Chicago aims to provide a more integrated and comprehensive health service by consolidating its health, counseling, and wellness departments into a single facility. Located on the first floor of the historic obstetrics hospital in Midway Plaisance, this renovated space respects its surroundings while expanding into an existing courtyard to increase usable area. The facility embodies best practices in hygiene, health, sustainability, and medical planning.
The design concept, described as a “subtle touch,” reflects both the new structure’s respectful integration with the existing building and the gentle care offered to students. The new addition is carefully inserted into the courtyard and kept separate from the continuous skylights, ensuring the historic hospital facade remains unobstructed.
To preserve the delicate limestone exterior of the historic building, the steel frame that supports the skylights extends 10 inches beyond the courtyard’s inner walls, reflecting only the original Gothic facade. The main entrance features a full-height glass wall visible through the open stone arches of the corridor at street level, designed to mirror the surrounding courtyard landscape.
Inside, a glass wall separates the multipurpose room from the main hall, acting as a secondary facade featuring a birch forest graphic. This design element embraces biophilic principles and offers visual privacy. Additionally, the historic courtyard’s second corridor has been transformed into a new student space. The Gothic skylight niches are now cozy private corners where students can wait or study before appointments.
Creating a safe and comfortable environment for students accessing health services is a priority. This project marks the first time health, counseling, and wellness departments are combined in one location, enabling healthcare providers to offer more holistic care. Great care was taken to ensure the entry and registration process is welcoming, inclusive, and respects student privacy.
This project profoundly impacts student wellbeing by ensuring access to physical, psychological, and social health resources essential for healthy development. Students at the University of Chicago, one of the world’s most prestigious universities, often face significant pressure and emotional challenges.
The university recognized that distributing health, counseling, and wellness services across three separate campus locations created gaps in care. Consolidating nursing providers under one roof facilitates “warm handovers,” while consultants are also available to assist students with physical health concerns.
Project Drawings
△ Plan View
△ Analysis Chart
△ Structural Diagram
△ Detailed Drawing
Project Information
Architectural Design: Wight& Company
Area: 30,000 ft²
Project Year: 2020
Photographer: Kendall McCaugherty
Manufacturers: Miller Knoll, Roca Tile USA, Rulon International, Shaw Contract Carpet, Virginia Tile Company: Crossville, Virginia Tile Company: Ergon Engineered Stone, Wilsonart
Lead Designer: Kevin Havens
Assistant Designer: Rich Van Zeyl
Project Manager: Matt Zolecki
Senior Project Architect: Ryan Cusick
Project Designer: Nick Jaworsky
Interior Designer: Lisa Schmidt
Architect: Pramitha Bale
Location: Chicago, USA
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