Wirtz Center Renovations

Project Status: COMPLETED

Construction Start: Fall 2015
Completion: April 2017

Project Description & Statistics

This renovation project includes portions of the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts (formerly known as the Theater Interpretation Center (TIC) and Louis Hall, both located at 1949 Campus Drive on the Evanston Campus. These renovations are for the School of Communication (SoC).

The main goal of the project is to increase and improve teaching spaces to support the growing need for School of Communications to expand their Theatre and Performance Study programs. It will the increased enrollment by creating additional teaching spaces and include improvements which will enhance the learning environment as these programs continue to grow in popularity.

The new two story building addition is approximately 4,000 square feet per floor located at the northwest corner of the facility. The addition incorporates a new main building entrance with an enlarged lobby. A new large black box instructional classroom will be located on both floors that can double as performance space. The second floor was designed with a 24’-0” high ceiling with structural reinforcement to support dance activities and aerial work.

The interior renovation is mainly focused on the 2nd floor of existing facility where three additional black box classrooms will be created. The second floor will also incorporate two conference/seminar rooms, design studio, computer lab, music and coaching rooms and expanded restrooms.  The first floor renovations will include expanded restroom facilities, improvements to the dye room and an expanded lobby tied into the new addition.

The overall area impacted is approximately 21,000 gsf.

Project Team

Project Management

Bonnie Humphrey, Director Facilities Design & Construction
Architect, Engineers, and Consultants: Cannon Design
Project Manager, Andrea Ohrmundt

Architect, Engineers & Consultants

Cannon Design

General Contractor

W. E. O’Neil

Contact Information

All inquiries should be directed to:

Andrea Ohrmundt, Project Manager
Northwestern University
Facilities Design and Construction
2020 Ridge Ave., Suite 250
Evanston, IL 60208
Phone: (847) 999-8247
Andrea.ohrmundt@northwestern.edu