Reorganization
Over the past year, our office has undergone numerous changes, including a rebranding. In May 2024, Real Estate Services became part of our organization. Previously, Capital and Real Estate operated under the name University Office of Capital Programs and Real Estate Services, which did not adequately represent our colleagues in Utility Services. To better reflect the comprehensive services provided by our organization, we will now operate as the System Office of Capital, Utilities, and Real Estate. This newsletter will continue to focus primarily on capital projects, policies, and practices, but every once in awhile, there may be news from our utilities and real estate colleagues.
As part of our reorganization, we have added a Project Delivery unit to complement Capital Programs Administration. The updated organizational chart is available here. Chris Rogan will lead Capital Programs Administration, overseeing capital contracting, procurement, systems, and university design. Doug Reddington will lead Capital Project Delivery, providing consultative assistance and project management for all alternative delivery methods, including public-private partnerships (P3s).
An overview of our organization’s history and our current organization chart can be found on our website.
Kahua Update
Kahua has completed performance updates that have significantly reduced the loading times in the University domain. Kahua completed multiple updates to Kahua Apps from November through January.
A migration date has been set for the final group of projects coming over from FCPWeb/PRZM to Kahua. Projects that are part of the Phase 3 migration will be locked in FCPWeb and PRZM on February 26. The statuses of those projects will change to "Kahua", and they will be read only. Migration and review of data will take place February 27 - March 4. Migrated projects will be live in Kahua on March 5. Due to the high level of information moving into Kahua for this last migration, Kahua will not be accessible to teams on any active projects during the migration dates, February 27 - March 4. More details about the migration will be sent in an upcoming communication.
Kahua has been added to our semi-annual system review process as part of the U of I System Capital Updates. The System Office will continue to make improvements throughout Kahua's life, and we look forward to bringing future enhancements to teams! The Kahua administrator team will continue to offer support calls for staff after the final migration. Training materials are continually being updated and added to offer the most up-to-date information.
Facilities Condition Assessment (FCA) Updates
The FCA is a System-led comprehensive building assessment for UIUC, UIC and UIS that will identify current deficiencies and building systems in need of future repair or replacement. Current assessments cover ~57% of presently owned facilities across the System (UIUC: ~53%, UIC: ~66%, UIS: ~33%). CannonDesign is performing the assessments, and field-visits began in late September 2023. Upon the initial building assessment engagement's completion, expected in late February 2025, information will be maintained in an interactive database. After 4 university CCU requested Amendments, which included added and deleted square footage of building assessments, the current initial assessment plan covers more than 26.3 million square feet of space across the System (UIUC: ~13.5M, UIC: ~10M, UIS: ~0.5M). Each university has provided CannonDesign with extensive information to help them complete their assessments, and to provide them with issues or deficiencies known or identified by university facility managers. UIC has requested additional assessments (Amendment 5) including ~705,000 SF to be completed in Spring 2025.
Field work assessments were completed by CannonDesign in the Fall of 2024, for approximately 23.7M square feet across the System (UIUC: ~13.5M, UIC: ~9.7M, UIS: ~0.5M). CannonDesign data processing/estimating/prioritizing and university reviews in progress for some of these completed field work assessments and is expected to be completed by end of February 2025.
Drone Surveys, including photos and videos of buildings taller than 2 stories, began in Spring 2024. CannonDesign is still completing Drone Surveys on the UIUC campus. Drone Survey information is currently being saved in BOX for A23002 and is providing CannonDesign with information regarding their exterior building assessments to be included in the database final information.
Training and support from CannonDesign will continue for all as we are yearly subscribers to the FOScore system. We have also saved some initial training videos for the use of the database in BOX. Key individuals from each university have access to those videos to share with all staff in the future.
Taft Hall Renovation
As part of Walter Netsch’s original 1960s campus design, Taft Hall sits immediately south of UIC’s historic Quad. Taft Hall embodies the unique qualities that define UIC’s original east campus. Its bold concrete superstructure, textured facade, and innovative approach to daylight control are architecturally noteworthy.
Taft South - The new glass facade maximizes visibility in and out of the building while still providing and evenly lit, high performance enclosure. The faceted geometry create a play between shadow and reflection recalling the unique qualities of the original Netsch design.
The proposed renovations honor the building’s original design concepts while incorporating modern design elements informed by more recent interventions across the East Campus. The design team collaborated closely with UIC stakeholders to establish a clear vision: “to enhance the student experience while creating an architectural expression that marries the past, present, and future of the UIC campus.”
Taft Cluster - As part of a collection of similar buildings, the new glass façade set within the existing superstructure establishes a new paradigm for sustainable design while respecting the original architecture.
Planned updates include a complete overhaul of the building’s mechanical systems, with the goal of achieving a minimum of LEED Gold certification, and efforts are underway to stretch to LEED Platinum certification. The interiors will be transformed into contemporary, functional learning spaces that support active and hybrid learning. The exposed concrete structure will be cleaned and repaired, while a new, innovative window system will replace the aging, energy inefficient façade. The new system, inspired by the original undulating precast façade with “I-shaped” windows, will create a dynamic interplay of shadow and reflectivity, echoing Netsch’s architectural language. High-performance, bird-safe insulated glass will prioritize student comfort, maximize daylight, and offer enhanced views.
Ultimately, this design and the collaborative process behind it set a new standard for UIC’s ability to honor its architectural heritage while meeting the evolving needs of students and faculty for decades to come.
Taft Classroom - Improvements to the classrooms include enhanced acoustics, floor to ceiling glass, and flexible furniture and technology.