The Capital Development Board determined that a Progressive Design-Build delivery method is in the best interest of the State of Illinois for a new $119 million residence hall and student center at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora. The project, backed by a $110 million state appropriation, will house 714 students and span 204,000 gross square feet across the 1976-built campus.
State planners face a distinct set of logistical hurdles when expanding an active residential learning community. Built originally in 1976, the 10-building Aurora campus requires careful phasing to construct a modern multi-story housing facility adjacent to existing academic spaces without disrupting daily student life.
According to project documents released by the Capital Development Board (cdb.illinois.gov), the state selected the Progressive Design-Build framework to handle the scale, cost-sensitivity, and complex mechanical integrations of the build. This approach brings the contractor on board early during the programming and design development phase. That integration helps teams identify utility conflicts, manage supply chain constraints, and control cost escalation before locking in a final Guaranteed Maximum Price.
State Appropriates Funds for Project Construction
The state has appropriated $110 million for the project against a total project cost of $119 million. To manage the scale of the project, planners determined a traditional stipulated-sum Design-Build approach was less suitable, opting for open-book pricing and iterative estimate refinement.
Project requirements include mandatory LEED Silver certification and potential compliance with the Illinois Stretch Energy Code. Selecting a design-build team early allows engineers and builders to collaboratively model energy systems, pursue utility incentives, and coordinate energy grants.
The new facility will feature 714 student beds in shared rooms, alongside 17 staff apartments. Common areas are broken down into distinct hubs designed to serve groups of 42 students, supported by roughly 24,000 gross square feet of community amenities aimed at student care, collaboration, and engagement.
Institution Opens Regional Hub at University Campus
In July 2024, the institution opened its first Innovation Hub on the Carbondale campus of Southern Illinois University, in partnership with the university’s STEM Education Research Center (imsa.edu).
That hub administers summer programs like the STEM Research Academy for students entering grades 10-11, alongside the Sensory Engineering Camp for students entering grades 6-8. These outreach initiatives fulfill the academy’s legislative mandate to stimulate excellence in K-12 math and science education across the state.
Back on the primary Aurora campus, construction logistics remain the focus. The selected team will oversee site development including campus pathway integration, utility connections, landscaping, and parking and drop-off areas designed to preserve safe pedestrian access throughout the build.
