Roosevelt University

The Wabash Building on the Roosevelt University Campus in Chicago sits as the tallest educational building in Chicago, and the second tallest educational building in the country. The structure has a “zig-zagged” silhouette and is modeled after the sculpture “Endless Column” by Constantine Brancusi. Various shades of blue glass were used on the exterior to pay homage to the University’s principles of social justice and celebration of diversity.

The GRAEF steel detailing team performed the modeling and detailing for steel fabrication of the structure. We worked closely with the Fabricator, Erector and Connection Engineer to discuss the sequencing of the job, fabrication and erection of the building. Key challenges of this project included focusing on stiffness of the concrete core rather than strength of the trusses. No two floors in the building are alike due to the undulating façade, and the labs were able to be constructed column-free.

The 420,000-square foot, 32-story academic, student life and residence center is LEED Gold certified and serves many students with multiple resources. The building is occupied by student life facilities, a dining hall, fitness center, lecture halls, classrooms, science labs, and 634 resident rooms with suite style dwelling units. The lounges give students outstanding views of the Chicago Loop and Lake Michigan.