Magnusson Klemencic Associates

Columbia College Media Production Center

Interior daylight view overlooking the lounge at the Columbia College Media Production Center with a stepped seating area and intricate ceiling design

Team

Architect

Studio Gang Architects

Contractor

W.E. O’Neil Construction

Stats

PROJECT TYPE

Education

COMPLETION

2010

PROJECT SIZE

40,000 ft²

MKA ROLE

Structural Engineer

Chicago, IL
Columbia College Media Production Center

This two-story, LEED Gold educational facility includes two production and sound stages for films, a motion-capture studio, digital editing and animation suites, a fabrication shop, and other production support spaces. MKA’s structurally exposed design incorporates steel-braced frames, steel roof joists, and 100-ton steel H-pile foundations to reduce the building’s weight and impact on the site’s compressible clay soils. The design also isolates the sound stages, built with super-flat slabs, to prevent vibrations and exterior noise from nearby elevated train lines.

Exterior daylight view of the glass facade of the Columbia College Media Production Center with multi-colored signage and surrounded by parked vehicles

Exterior daylight view of the glass facade of the Columbia College Media Production Center with multi-colored signage and surrounded by parked vehicles

Interior daylight view overlooking the lounge at the Columbia College Media Production Center with a stepped seating area and intricate ceiling design

Image of Columbia College Media Production Center

Image of Columbia College Media Production Center

Image of Columbia College Media Production Center

Image of Columbia College Media Production Center

Image of Columbia College Media Production Center

Image of Columbia College Media Production Center

Awards

Award of Merit (Higher Education/Research) - Best of 2010 Awards - Midwest Construction magazine

Best New Building - Best of Downtown 2010 Annual Awards - Friends of Downtown, Chicago