Interior work takes shape as Global Hub nears completion

9/21/2016 - With its towering cascade of glass reflecting the pristine Evanston lakefront, it’s hard not to notice Kellogg’s new Global Hub. With the 103-foot-high, 410,000-square-foot building scheduled for completion in late 2016, all eyes are currently on the new building’s final phases as interior work begins taking shape.

Once completed, the Global Hub will not only serve as Kellogg’s new home, but will also be hailed as one of the first business school buildings to address the needs of 21st century students, helping the school educate, equip and inspire leaders who build strong organizations and wisely leverage the power of markets. 

With flexible classrooms and common spaces, the Global Hub can accommodate any teaching style or requirement. Office layout and locations will promote cross-functional connection and collaboration. Its emphasis on green technology and energy conservation ensures the building’s long-term sustainability and efficiency. Advanced technologies and planned onsite amenities will serve Kellogg students for decades to come. 

“We designed a building that’s adaptable so that as technology and programs change in the future, the building can adapt with those needs,” said Leann Paul, Kellogg’s lead project manager for the building. 

From concept to design 

The building is designed to not only reflect the school’s commitment to reinventing management education, but also maintain the school’s collaborative and courageous culture. 

The six-story complex is comprised of four separate buildings linked by a central atrium called the Collaboration Plaza, allowing for what Bruce Kuwabara, founding partner of KPMB Architects, calls “connected neighborhoods of academic teaching and research.” Embedded throughout the Collaboration Plaza are spots for faculty, staff, students and visitors to think and discuss new ideas.

“This building is going to send a big message about the future of education, especially within management institutions,” Kuwabara said. “You don’t want to be just another business school; you want to set the standard, and that’s what Kellogg has done.” 

Flexible and adaptable 

The Global Hub offers many capabilities and amenities, the most unique being the flexibility of its classrooms and communal spaces. Each classroom can become flat, tiered, divided or expanded to meet the varied goals of faculty year after year. The 6,000-square-foot Collaboration Plaza will serve as a visual archetype of Kellogg’s collaborative environment and can double as a central meeting point or a location for conferences and events. 

Additionally, the White Auditorium will be a signature space for both Kellogg and Northwestern. The two-story venue — with panoramic views of Lake Michigan to the north and east and the Chicago skyline to the south — can convert from a tiered 350-seat auditorium to an event space that can seat 250 for large dinners, making it an ideal space for networking and exchanging ideas.

Outside the White Auditorium, the 1,400-square foot Southwest Student Lounge fosters collaboration with its open and versatile seating configurations and modern fireplaces. The even larger 2,000 square foot terrace offers students, faculty and staff the opportunity to step out for fresh air and chat while taking in the sights and sounds of Lake Michigan, the Chicago skyline and Northwestern’s campus.

Additional amenities in the Global Hub include a fitness center, a food court, a coffee bar, several lounges, and stairs in the style of the Spanish Steps that connect the first three floors, giving students, faculty and staff an open space to convene and collaborate.

Reflecting its surroundings 

Not only will the Global Hub be flexible, but also reflective of its natural surroundings. The curved-shaped of the building pays homage to the waves of Lake Michigan, while a palette of grays and browns are inspired by Midwestern trees, grasses, and the sky. With glass panels making up every inch of the Global Hub’s exterior, the building exudes transparency – inviting those to view in, out and around the walls of this open space.

As Kellogg prepares to unveil its new home, anticipation and excitement continue to grow on campus. And once the doors open, the Global Hub will, as Dean Sally Blount put it at groundbreaking, “set a standard for how we teach at Kellogg.”