Krueck Sexton Partners to Revamp Netsch's Brutalist UIC Buildings

Krueck Sexton Partners (KSP) is spearheading a significant renovation of Jefferson Hall and Henry Hall, two Brutalist structures created by SOM's Walter Netsch at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) East Campus, which were finished in 1965. This initiative aims to enhance classroom and studio facilities for the School of Theatre and Music within the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts, while also supporting UIC's expanding computer science and design major. The renovation intends to address the campus's historically unwelcoming design, which led to the displacement of 8,000 residents and over 600 businesses during the West Side Urban Renewal Project, earning the nickname "Fortress Illini" from Chicago Sun-Times critic M. W. Newman. Planned modifications include the removal of the stark brick wall on Harrison Street for new perennial plantings, the creation of a central entry featuring rain gardens and compliant stairways, and the reorientation of entrances to establish a main access point. Culturally sensitive facade elements will be preserved through the strategic integration of high-performance building systems, with ducts placed along room perimeters to uphold Brutalist aesthetics. Reclaimed burnished concrete blocks will be utilized for a ground-level screen that provides privacy and a lantern-like glow at night. Planning for the project commenced in 2023, with construction expected to wrap up by summer 2027.