CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Siebel Center for Design on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus opened for business in early August. A multidisciplinary hub of student-focused design thinking and learning, Siebel Center for Design is the only design center of its kind in the U.S. The design center practices, models and teaches design thinking and human-centered design in collaboration with all disciplines, majors and departments at the university and with the broader Champaign-Urbana community. Siebel Center for Design was established by a $25 million lead gift from the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation.
While the formal dedication in October of the 68,000 square-foot building located at 1208 S. Fourth St., Champaign, is highly anticipated by campus leaders and Siebel Center staff, the informal exploration that took place during the summer proved valuable.
“This building’s physical structure is just breathtaking, and was planned with such thought and care,” said Rachel Switzky, Siebel Center for Design’s director who has explored the center’s potential for more than three years in that role. “Now our charge is to see what we can do with it. We’re honored and excited to practice, model and teach the possibilities of a human-centered design mindset, showcase the history and importance of the amazing connectivity throughout this world-class campus, and especially to create the conditions within this incredible venue for people from all backgrounds and disciplines to gather, collaborate, inspire and innovate.”
Siebel Center for Design is LEED Gold certified.
“Siebel Center for Design is a striking and exciting physical addition to the campus landscape,” Chancellor Robert Jones said. “But it is an even greater transformational addition to the educational experiences of the students who will find new ideas and explore the previously unimagined. Once again, Tom and Stacey Siebel have demonstrated the possibilities that come when you bring together generosity of spirit with unbounded vision.”
With its generous use of glass and open layout, the center provides clean sightlines both within the building and to the outside world. Multipurpose classroom space on the first level is available for any campus academic unit to reserve, as well as a collaboration studio for course instruction, small group meetings and other collaborative endeavors. A wood-slab ceiling panel traverses the length of the main level adding continuity to the open gallery area that spans the distance between the east and west entrances.
About 60% of the pieces of an interactive, augmented-reality mural on the north wall of the gallery are being fabricated at the Siebel Center for Design. The mural will depict the history of multidisciplinary innovation on campus – including some lesser-known accomplishments.
An interactive, augmented-reality mural will adorn the north wall of the gallery to depict the history of multidisciplinary innovation on campus – including some lesser-known accomplishments – with about 60% of the mural pieces fabricated at the center. The main floor also includes a multimedia lab, a studio reserved for Siebel Center for Design personnel and partners, and a café that offers striking outside views to the east.
The lower level offers another reservable studio for projects, meetings and other group activities; a smaller classroom with full lecture-capture and media capabilities similar to the main floor classroom space; an open amphitheater for artistic expression or group discussions; and a lower lobby for students to relax and recharge.
The Siebel Center for Design opened its doors in early August.
For hands-on types, a variety of tools and supplies are available at a checkout window on the lower level. In a large shop area supervised by a shop manager, visitors can access a bevy of equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines, a large-format printer, woodworking power tools, a CNC router and a water jet cutter.
First-time visitors may find their bearings with an assist from student concierges strategically but informally perched near the east and west entrances.
Siebel Center for Design is open from 7 a.m. to midnight except for holidays. Public parking is available at designated lots and bicycle racks line the center’s north side.
The center is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Editor’s notes: For additional information on Siebel Center for Design, contact Lisa Bralts, associate director of marketing. bralts@illinois.edu, 217-300-7388.
Information on the grand opening will be announced in the coming weeks.
