Northwestern University Kresge Centennial Hall

Client: LVDA Architecture, Architect of Record

Completion: 2016

Northwestern’s Kresge Centennial Hall is a complete rehab of an existing classroom building. It now houses over 10 university departments.  HJKessler Associates worked closely with the owner, architect (LVDA Architecture), design team and contractor to implement an integrative design approach that resulted in Northwestern University’s first LEED Platinum facility.

Due to the building’s age, the project faced some significant challenges such as low floor to floor structure which made installation of a standard ducted HVAC system impossible. The design team took advantage of the challenges to use radiant systems based on “chilled sails.”  Together with retrofitting the walls with significant insulation and installing efficient double pane windows, the building became very energy efficient. The university also chose this building as its first to receive an extensive photovoltaic array on its roof.