Truman College, part of the City Colleges of Chicago system, expanded its North Side campus with the 75,600‑square‑foot Larry McKeon Student Services Building and a 349,000‑square‑foot multi‑level parking garage. Together, the facilities strengthen campus access and student services while addressing long‑standing space and parking constraints. The student services building features a striking seven‑story sloping glass facade and houses offices, conference rooms and a range of student‑focused functions. The new parking structure adds 1,107 spaces to support the small urban campus and its surrounding community.
What challenges did STV address?
The project site bordered residential neighborhoods, requiring the design to balance height, massing and community context. STV needed to create a parking structure that transitioned sensitively from four stories near homes to seven stories on the site’s eastern edge. Another challenge involved reimagining exterior campus spaces to improve circulation, safety and student gathering opportunities while meeting sustainability goals and achieving LEED Silver certification.
What solutions did STV deliver?
As architect-of-record, STV designed both structures with a focus on contextual scale, transparency and campus connectivity. Landscape architects redesigned exterior areas to include new gathering zones, an outdoor café, pedestrian crossings and improved drop‑off areas for the theater and Student Services Center. Site materials, such as permeable pavers, rain gardens and native plantings, advanced sustainability and stormwater performance. STV’s integrated team delivered architecture, engineering, landscape design and programming services to support a cohesive campus expansion.
How does this project benefit the community?
The new student services building and parking garage improve access, enhance campus life and strengthen connections between Truman College and its surrounding neighborhoods. The project adds vital student resources, increases parking capacity and introduces outdoor spaces that encourage gathering and community engagement.
Key stats and accolades
- 75,600‑sf student services building
- 349,000‑sf parking structure
- 1,107 new parking spaces
- LEED Silver certified
- Redesigned campus landscape with new pedestrian and gathering spaces
