Celebrating Kellogg’s New Global Hub
This week the Kellogg School of Management officially opened the doors of its new global hub. The building is spectacular, with stunning views of Lake Michigan, a soaring atrium and state of the art rooms. I held my first classes in the facility on Monday morning. You can read more about it here.
I was struck by three things yesterday while listening to two of the architects—Bruce Kuwabara and Marianne McKenna from KPMB—discuss the new building with Kellogg Dean Sally Blount.
Design Really Matters
The new Kellogg hub is inspiring. I moved into the building several weeks ago, and I am delighted each morning when I arrive. Sun pours in, and the Chicago skyline is visible in the distance. I am excited to be there and eager to get to work.
The old Kellogg building? It was a very different experience: brown concrete walls, limited views. It was functional but not inspiring.
Design Creates Value
Kellogg’s new building will add enormous value to the school; it isn’t just design for design’s sake. The student experience will get better: there is a gym, a study room with a fireplace, ample space to meet and discuss, and comfortable classrooms. This will in turn lead to an improved time at Kellogg, which should then result in easier student recruitment. The brightest, most ambitious students will (continue to!) come to Kellogg.
The new building will also make it easier to bring in and retain top faculty. Attracting the best researchers and teachers is a challenge. A glorious facility makes Kellogg a more appealing choice.
Excellence Isn’t Easy or Cheap
Dean Sally Blount and the architects had a lot to say about the new building. One thing they never said: it was easy. The team struggled over all sorts of issues—enough that at one point they tossed out the design entirely and started over.
They also didn’t discuss minimizing costs. I’m not close to the project financials, but I suspect the top priority wasn’t minimizing the expense. There is a lot of open space, and dozens of meeting areas.
Still, most of the spending clearly went to working space. The small incremental investment for superb design will pay huge dividends. As Dean Blount noted, “It costs a lot to build an ugly building, too.”
Stop by the global hub if you have a chance. It is a remarkable place that will build the Northwestern and Kellogg brands for many years to come.
I happened to be on campus yesterday with my 13 year old daughter for another purpose and we made a point of just driving by the new building. It is indeed beautiful! I certainly would have loved to attend classes there, and for my daughter who is at the earliest stages of contemplating university life, it made a huge impression on her too in relation to NU in general. Total agree with the points in your post — design really does matter and can create value. Kudos to Dean Blount and the many others who had the vision to pursue it, and to the alumni who also helped fund it. Jill Orum
It is indeed a beautiful spot. Let me know next time you are on campus!
Hi Tim,
Am so jealous of the new batch who would be privileged to this building 😉
Anyway as alums our best wishes are with the school today and for ever. Congratulations to all for pulling this together including you.
Cheers !
Rahul