AECOM upgrades State Farm Center with contemporary spaces, seating and technology

CHAMPAIGN, IL (Nov. 2) — State Farm Center, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s historic arena, has re-opened after a renovation designed by AECOM to introduce a full suite of modern amenities for student-athletes and fans. Targeting a LEED Gold certification, the upgrades complement a midcentury-modern design by Max Abramovitz that has been a defining feature of the campus for more than 50 years.

The men and women’s basketball teams will both play their regular season home opener games on Nov. 11. A rededication ceremony is scheduled for the 29th.

“We are excited to officially dedicate State Farm Center and to reintroduce the longstanding home of Illinois basketball to Illini Nation,” said Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman. “The facility has been transformed into one of the greatest venues in college basketball.”

The renovation redefined the entry and arrival experiences with new site circulation plans, a grand west-entry lobby and new premium east-entry lobby. It celebrated the building’s original design through sculptural structural elements and the use of circular and elliptical forms. A new, sloped, glass curtain wall surrounds the base of the building—an update to an original Abramovitz design concept that increases transparency and energy efficiency.

“The university trusted our team to renovate a building with a remarkable legacy,” said Greg Brown, AECOM’s project designer. “Our challenge was for State Farm Center to feel like an entirely new building in terms of the event experience for student-athletes and fans while feeling completely familiar in its architectural character.”

A redesigned seating bowl pulls fans closer to the action while integrating new courtside seats, suites, loge seats and four clubs, including one for the Orange Krush student group. New LED video boards, a new audio system, and wifi access points modernize the building. Air conditioning makes State Farm Center usable year-round for the first time. Additional restrooms and concessions further increase fan comfort.

New contemporary locker rooms, coaches’ locker rooms, a “ready room” for coaching and instruction, lounge space and training room serve both the men’s and women’s basketball programs. Additional service tunnels and storage space maximize operational efficiencies and increase the building’s availability for concerts and special events.

AECOM coordinated with the university and construction manager to implement the renovation in six phases over three years so that the Fighting Illini never missed a scheduled home game. AECOM services included: architecture, engineering (geotechnical, information technology and security), programming, interior design and cost consultancy.

About AECOM
AECOM is built to deliver a better world. We design, build, finance and operate infrastructure assets for governments, businesses and organizations in more than 150 countries. As a fully integrated firm, we connect knowledge and experience across our global network of experts to help clients solve their most complex challenges. From high-performance buildings and infrastructure, to resilient communities and environments, to stable and secure nations, our work is transformative, differentiated and vital. A Fortune 500 firm, AECOM had revenue of approximately $18 billion during fiscal year 2015. See how we deliver what others can only imagine at aecom.com and @AECOM.

AMERICAS 16-1101

Media Contact:
Erik Miller
Director, Corporate Communications
1.415.955.2804
erik.miller@aecom.com

21-Jun-2018 AECOM strengthens commitment to corporate responsibility with launch of the Blueprint Travel Grant program
21-Jun-2018 AECOM awarded US$24 million naval contract as part of the United States Force Posture Initiative in Australia
25-Jun-2018 AECOM hires Marc Devlin as region executive in Canada
12-Jul-2018 AECOM awarded contract to design Gordie Howe International Bridge
17-Jul-2018 AECOM to announce fiscal year 2018 third quarter results on August 7th
18-Jul-2018 AECOM to provide services supporting the Cooperative Threat Reduction program
19-Jul-2018 AECOM partners with California’s Division of the State Architect to digitally revolutionize the state’s design review process
26-Jul-2018 AECOM launches new infrastructure resilience National Preparedness framework
31-Jul-2018 Skanska and AECOM Hunt Joint Venture Selected as General Contractor for Seattle Center Arena Redevelopment Project
07-Aug-2018 AECOM reports third quarter fiscal year 2018 results
21-Aug-2018 Waldorf Astoria New York Enters Second Phase of Construction with AECOM Following Completion of Demolition and Pre-Construction Efforts
21-Aug-2018 AECOM and Lockheed Martin to enhance energy resilience at Fort Carson with DoD’s largest peak-shaving battery
23-Aug-2018 U.S. Department of Defense awards AECOM contracting opportunities worth up to US$28 billion
27-Aug-2018 AECOM appoints Mark Whitney executive vice president and general manager of nuclear and environment services strategic business unit
04-Sep-2018 Former Air Force engineer appointed to lead AECOM Construction Services group’s defence team in Australia and New Zealand
12-Sep-2018 AECOM surpasses 2020 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions early and unveils new pledge for 2025
12-Sep-2018 AECOM appoints James Rosenwax to lead its Buildings & Places practice in Australia and New Zealand
25-Sep-2018 AECOM awarded five-year, US$475 million USAID Public Financial Management II multiple-award IDIQ contract
26-Sep-2018 AECOM-EnergySolutions joint venture, SONGS Decommissioning Solutions, appoints Tom Dieter to lead San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station decommissioning
28-Sep-2018 AECOM and Harvard Graduate School of Design envision Manila’s future in newly completed study
02-Oct-2018 AECOM secures AU$70 million lead designer role to deliver Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel Project
09-Oct-2018 AECOM recognized as a top friendly employer for veterans and military spouses
24-Oct-2018 AECOM to announce fiscal fourth quarter and full year 2018 results on November 12th
25-Oct-2018 AECOM appoints Shayne Hanran to lead North Western Australia region
30-Oct-2018 U.S. Department of Energy extends contract with AECOM-led joint venture to manage tank operations at the Hanford Site
31-Oct-2018 AECOM’s newest Brilliant Cities report finds that Australia’s Fishermans Bend could be a AUS$12 billion boon to the economy by 2030
01-Nov-2018 AECOM awarded five-year, US$23.5 million USAID Amazon Promotion of Best Social and Environmental Management Practices project
12-Nov-2018 AECOM reports fiscal fourth quarter and full year 2018 results
14-Nov-2018 AECOM to host 2019 Investor Day on December 11
15-Nov-2018 AECOM’s China Theme Park Pipeline Report finds the industry is poised for significant future growth
21-Nov-2018 AECOM partners with Engineers Without Borders USA to give back on #GivingTuesday
26-Nov-2018 AECOM appoints Steve Cooley to drive operations and maintenance growth in Australia and New Zealand
05-Dec-2018 AECOM and Oriental Consultants Global sign Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on Japanese overseas infrastructure projects
10-Dec-2018 AECOM’s Supplier Diversity Program ranked #1 by Military Friendly®
11-Dec-2018 AECOM reiterates long-term financial forecast at 2019 Investor Day
Page 21 of 23