Revisiting the campus it originally designed in 1954, SOM has designed a new academic building for the main cadet area. The most prominent feature of the design, the 105’ high skylight, precisely aligns cadets inside the Honor Conference Room with the North Star, Polaris, and symbolically serves as an instrument of cadet navigation. The skylight also provides ample natural light to the Forum, a central gathering space for the academic program. Classrooms, meeting rooms, and offices ring two adjacent courtyards, maximizing exterior views and minimizing the use of artificial lighting. Natural light plays a significant role in this building’s anticipated LEED Platinum certification.

The Managing Partner on this project is Anthony Vacchione, AIA. The Design Partner is Roger Duffy, FAIA.

Project Facts

Completion Year: 2012
Site Area: 86,500 ft²
Project Area: 46,500 ft²
Building Height: 105 ft
Number of Stories: 1

Project Awards

2012 • AIA - New York City Chapter • Honor Award
2012 • AIA Committee on Architecture for Education • Award of Merit
2011 • Chicago Athenaeum • Green Good Design Award
2011 • Chicago Athenaeum • International Architecture Award