Morrill Hall

Nurture undertook a highly coordinated building systems upgrade at Morrill Hall with db|HMS, a cornerstone of the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign research infrastructure. Spanning 167,546 square feet across eight stories, the 1963 structure supports a dense program of laboratories, faculty offices, and research facilities, many of which remain continuously occupied. The project centered on the phased replacement of major HVAC infrastructure serving the west wing, from Basement to Penthouse. New air handling units were integrated within the existing structural framework, requiring precise spatial choreography to accommodate large scale equipment within confined vertical shafts and mechanical zones.

Beyond mechanical replacement, the scope extended to the selective modernization of ductwork, hydronic piping, fume hoods, exhaust systems, zone reheat coils, and environmental controls. The work was further complicated by the presence of live research animals throughout the building, necessitating a carefully sequenced relocation strategy that preserved research continuity while providing contractor access. Morrill Hall’s renovation exemplifies the technical nuance required to retrofit a mid century research facility, blending engineering precision with strategic phasing to elevate building performance without disrupting the rhythm of discovery within.