Steven Brubaker's University Center of Lake County

Word from architect Steven Brubaker that he is now in private practice after a long association with HOK, Inc. ,which was in the news last year for their design of the the new Wrigley Global Innovation Center along the Chicago River on Goose Island.

Brubaker's and HOK's University Center of Lake County in Grayslake this part March received the Thomas H. Madigan Award for Outstanding New Construction in Illinois from the Illinois Capital Development Board. The 90,000-square-foot facility, which serves as a Distance Learning Center for a consortium of 17 educational institutions, sited on a prairie, features two brick and concrete blocks, one housing a conference center, the other, classrooms, at either end of a winding steel and glass courtyard. According to Brubaker, the brick facings insulate against northern winds, while the central commons "opens south to the sun."

Among Brubaker's other projects is a new Technology Building for the College of Lake County, recently completed, with a satellite classroom building currently under construction. Brubaker has also recently been selected to design two new buildings for Moraine Valley College, and is teaching a second-year Master's studio at IIT.