Hord Coplan Macht recently completed the design of a complete renovation and major addition to the Donnelly Science Center. The addition represents the final major building on Loyola University’s Historic Academic Quadrangle, a project that harmoniously bridges the university’s storied past with its vibrant future. The project creates a dynamic visual and physical connection between main campus and a new nexus of student activity.

The new main entry opens directly from the Quad into three levels of student life and academic collaboration. Respectful of the Loyola historic campus architecture, the addition seamlessly integrates through careful consideration of scale, massing, and fenestration. The redesign of the Donnelly Science Center, along with its strategic addition and landscape integration, forms a cohesive environment where learning, collaboration, and community thrive.

The design concepts of Synthesis and Convergence were central to the project. Synthesis, the combination of elements to create something new, and Convergence, the unification of diverse interests and focuses, informed the creation of vibrant nodes – hubs of activity where the departments of Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, and Computer Science converge. These nodes foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, ensuring that the Donnelly Science Center becomes a place where the pursuit of knowledge and discovery flourishes.