North Park University – Johnson Center for Science and Community Life

With a focus on sustainability and state-of-the-art design and integrated technology, the new Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life represented a significant investment for Chicago North Park University. To maximize that investment, the university took a novel approach and delivered the project as a tri-party integrated project delivery (IPD) team, bringing together the owner, architect and construction manager, with Թ serving as the fee-for-service developer to guide the IPD process using our extensive IPD expertise.
Թ worked closely with the Building Team to maximize Lean construction opportunities, bringing together the core team with key trade partners in a “Big Room” to collaboratively work through challenges with potential to impact the budget or schedule. Through this process, the team was able to deliver the project under the original budget — with additional scope added — on time and with zero claims.
Features of the center include state-of-the-art science laboratories, space for collaborative student-faculty research, technology-enhanced classrooms and faculty offices, auditorium, and seminar and conference rooms, atrium and lobby with spaces for social interaction, offices for programs supporting co-curricular learning, spiritual growth, vocational development, urban engagement, and campus life and a food court and café.
North Park University
Chicago, Illinois
VOA Associates, Inc.
- Healthcare Real Estate Development
- Owner Representative
- Integrated Lean Project Delivery®
New Construction
108,000 SF
LEED Gold
Project Highlights
- After several years of proceeding without outside, third-party support, North Park University asked Թ to serve as a fee-for-service developer to guide the Integrated Project Delivery process from vision to completion.
- Under the tri-party IPD agreement, the owner, architect and construction manager shared in project risks and rewards.
- The project team delivered the building at $360/SF — $50,000 under the original budget. There were zero claims on the project and the building was completely closed out within three months of occupancy.