Northwestern Medicine- Health & Wellness Center

This health and wellness center was created to provide a unique and personalized health experience for residents of Dekalb and Sycamore, IL, by combining clinic and fitness operations under one roof. Other major program elements include a 175-seat auditorium and a public Café’.

The clinic includes exam, x-ray, and conference rooms to serve Orthopedics, Internal Medicine, and Population Health departments. In addition, space is provided for a future PT / OT clinic.

The wellness center provides group exercise studios, indoor walking and jogging tracks, strength and cardio equipment, cycling studio, yoga studio, 25-yard lap-pool, warm-water therapy pool and a full-court gymnasium. Other amenities include full-service locker rooms, showers, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, and a childcare area.

The building takes advantage of the sloping site to provide a single story entry – reducing the scale of such a large facility. Main social spaces located on the top floor make use of generous, elevated decks (sized to host events) and help sub-divide the scale of the two-story portion. Vertical and horizontal sunshade devices, cladding variety, and window articulation help to reduce scale.

The 16-acre site features extensive landscaping, water features, a fountain, fitness grove, sensory garden, and walking paths that incorporate outdoor exercise stations. The site is open to the community, and the entire project helps to encourage continued pursuit of life-long health.