University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign Construction Engineering Research Lab (CERL) Office Addition

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The National Academy of Science recommended a co-location for the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) with major US Universities in 1967. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) was selected as one of the top three engineering programs in the country and in 1969 the UIUC CERL facility was dedicated. CERL's mission is to "Develop and infuse innovative technologies to provide excellent facilities and realistic training lands for Department of Defense (DOD), Army, and other customers".
 
Initially, the project was to develop a conceptual building addition to comply with DOD anti-terrorism requirements; increase group interaction by co-locating staff currently off campus with existing staff; and allow for the expansion of research labs in existing buildings by moving office space occupying lab space into the addition.
 
The final solution was also to meet the long term needs of the facility by creating a "town-hall" meeting facility for the entire CERL campus staff. The entire project was programmed to fit into the 20,000 square foot building addition, nestled between two buildings on the existing campus.
 
The addition creates a new "front door" to the campus and executive suite, fulfilling the program requirements.