Elmhurst College,
Elmhurst, IL

Type: Higher Education

Elmhurst College commissioned Wight & Company to embark on the visualization of a 20-year master plan that would expand the campus precinct and establish planning priorities for future facility implementation. The master plan outlines a sequential strategy for expanding facilities onto a newly acquired property north of the existing campus. A pattern of exterior yards and formal quadrangle areas continues the traditional planning elements of the original campus concept. This is a system of “exterior rooms” which gives both a formal structure and a sense of logical circulation throughout the college.

Project highlights include:

> North Hall - “stylistic bridge” from historical collegiate Georgian core facilities to a more contemporary expression

> Award for North Hall - 2000 Outstanding Building, Residence Halls/Lounges,
American School & University Educational Interiors Showcase

> Illinois Hall - renovated 1960s lecture hall into multi-media meeting and lecture space with state-of-the-art telecommunications, audio and visual capabilities

> Award for Illinois Hall - 2002 Outstanding Design, Interior Renovation,
American School & University Educational Interiors Showcase

> Alumni Circle and Buehler Library - renovations to Buehler Library entrance from Alumni Circle; new organizational plan and cafe for the Library

> Circle Hall - an academic building housing a variety of departments which marks the fifth major facility design Wight has provided for Elmhurst College