PMI Rochester Event – Project Spotlight – Northwestern University: Common Space Program

Introduction/Description:

Gensler partnered with Northwestern University for its Common Spaces Project. The project put into motion a program that stitches together all of Northwestern’s interior common spaces into a cohesive story.

Northwestern University realized the value in common spaces as an opportunity to strengthen and showcase its new brand and create a cohesive experience. With 110 buildings in varying degrees of condition and usage spanning two campuses, the challenge lay in prioritizing improvement investments.

To address this, Gensler’s analytics team assessed, quantified and prioritized high impact areas for improvement efforts over time. IT data was combined with detailed condition assessments in digital floor plans.  Also, brand, interior, and architectural designers collaborated to develop standards to cover the physical elements factoring in physical condition, brand, and user experience.

Managing the moving parts of the project was a challenge in itself. Gensler’s web application, Profection, was used to clearly communicate status and progress, allowing all teams to view a single source of information to communicate and keep all of the projects on track.

 The result of the program is a strategic recommendation for the prioritization of branded elements across the two campuses to integrate and showcase the Northwestern University story.

About the Speakers:

Mark Thole

Mark’s passion resides in working with people to get things done. Developing ERP and web applications for the past 19 years, he has deep experience in all facets of technology design, development, delivery, testing and support. Throughout his career at Gensler, Mark has played instrumental roles in Wisp and Program Services as the lead developer of Nissan, Infiniti, CSI, GM applications and most recently Profection™, a web-based Project Information Management solution. Mark is a natural project manager, facilitator, communicator and Certified Project Management Professional (PMP). After 19 years of working with clients on and off site, Mark is excited to lead new programs and projects into the next decade.

Meghan Webster

Meghan is a licensed architect with a broad range of experience across the country and overseas in every phase of the architecture and construction process. After receiving her B.A. in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley and her Master of Architecture from M.I.T., she joined Behnisch Architekten, working out of offices in Boston and Stuttgart, Germany.

As one of Gensler’s Firmwide Education Practice Area Leaders, Meghan co-leads a global team of thought leaders immersed in the design of innovative learning environments. Meghan is a frequent blogger and speaker, founding and facilitating Gensler’s internal panel discussion series, Dialogues.

In addition to academic projects, her range of work extends to projects in health and wellness, including those with Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital. She is an active member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), and currently is a vice chair on ULI’s Chicago Product Council on Mixed Use & Urban Development. She approaches every project and client relationship with diligence and dedication that is apparent in her work

Where:

Charter House

Northview

211 2^nd Street NW

Rochester, MN 55901

Registration Details:

Menu List:

TBD