Discovery Partners Institute Headquarters in Chicago

The Discovery Partners Institute's new Chicago Center for Education & Research positions itself as an innovation hub, attracting companies to a cutting-edge campus that fosters tech talent, applied research and strengthens the tech ecosystem. Located at the southern edge of the 78 Development, the 8-story building is conceived as an ovular, multi-directional form maximizing the potential of the non-rectangular site. The design prioritizes inclusivity, with all approaches a similar experience and no “back door”. At 261,000 sf, the DPI Building strategically organizes programs both vertically and horizontally to efficiently foster interdisciplinary encounters and collaborations among user groups. Vertical program towers define infrastructurally efficient volumes, while horizontal organization maximizes users encounters. The design prioritizes flexibility by including divisible labs that can adapt to meet changing client needs, ensuring the longevity of the spaces. Moreover, the program layout emphasizes neighborhood inclusion, with community-facing programs on ground floor connecting to a central atrium, and adjacent breakout spaces defining collaborative zones across the building. Exterior spaces, including a welcoming entry at ground level and a generous terrace at the top, enhance the overall design's functionality and appeal. Beyond architectural designs, the project emphasizes key aspects such as sustainability, building resiliency, and advanced façade construction. Pursuing LEED Gold certification, the project underwent extensive research, analysis and simulation for energy performance, including thermal comfort studies, energy models, costs, and life cycle assessments. The intricate facade design of the building features a floor-to-ceiling, bird-safe, glazed curtain wall system. Between floors, there are continuous opaque aluminum cladding bands that wrap the building and change angle as each floor plate reduces in size, creating a dynamic visual effect. To ensure building resiliency, an integrated Building maintenance unit was incorporated early in the design, that will provide secure facade access to reduce long-term maintenance risks and costs for the client.