Columbia College Media Production Center
![Interior daylight view overlooking the lounge at the Columbia College Media Production Center with a stepped seating area and intricate ceiling design](https://www.mka.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Columbia-College_Cover-jpg.webp)
Team
Architect
Studio Gang Architects
Contractor
W.E. O’Neil Construction
Stats
PROJECT TYPE
Education
COMPLETION
2010
PROJECT SIZE
40,000 ft²
MKA ROLE
Structural Engineer
Chicago, IL
Columbia College Media Production Center
This two-story, LEED Gold educational facility includes two production and sound stages for films, a motion-capture studio, digital editing and animation suites, a fabrication shop, and other production support spaces. MKA’s structurally exposed design incorporates steel-braced frames, steel roof joists, and 100-ton steel H-pile foundations to reduce the building’s weight and impact on the site’s compressible clay soils. The design also isolates the sound stages, built with super-flat slabs, to prevent vibrations and exterior noise from nearby elevated train lines. ![Exterior daylight view of the glass facade of the Columbia College Media Production Center with multi-colored signage and surrounded by parked vehicles](https://www.mka.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92261_00_N7_indesign-jpg.webp)
![Exterior daylight view of the glass facade of the Columbia College Media Production Center with multi-colored signage and surrounded by parked vehicles](https://www.mka.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92261_00_N7_indesign-768x468.webp)
![Interior daylight view overlooking the lounge at the Columbia College Media Production Center with a stepped seating area and intricate ceiling design](https://www.mka.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92261_00_N11_indesign-768x488.webp)
![Image of Columbia College Media Production Center](https://www.mka.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92261_00_N8_indesign-768x1151.webp)
![Image of Columbia College Media Production Center](https://www.mka.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92261_00_N3_indesign-768x513.webp)
![Image of Columbia College Media Production Center](https://www.mka.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92261_00_N4_indesign-768x512.webp)
![Image of Columbia College Media Production Center](https://www.mka.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92261_00_N16_indesign-768x512.webp)
![Image of Columbia College Media Production Center](https://www.mka.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92261_00_N9_indesign-1-768x513.webp)
![Image of Columbia College Media Production Center](https://www.mka.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/92261_00_N15_indesign-768x512.webp)
Columbia College Media Production Center
Awards
Award of Merit (Higher Education/Research) - Best of 2010 Awards - Midwest Construction magazine
Best New Building - Best of Downtown 2010 Annual Awards - Friends of Downtown, Chicago