Judson University’s Glunz Hall: A Living Lab for the Next Generation of Architects

On October 23, 2025, Future Architect Fund joined Judson University to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Glunz Hall: Judson’s new live/work residence and architecture studio in downtown Elgin, Illinois.

The ceremony marked the completion of an ambitious adaptive reuse project led by Judson alumnus, Benjamin Glunz. What was once a vacant mid-century bank headquarters now stands as a vibrant home for graduate architecture students. Behind its transformation is a story of collaboration, generosity, and creativity to create a space where future designers can live, learn, and grow.

Adaptive Reuse as Preservation and Progress

The project was led by Elgin-based firm Studio Vertex, who systematically worked to preserve the building's mid-century architecture while introducing contemporary finishes, sustainable materials, and selective Art Deco details. The adaptive reuse itself represents a sustainable design strategy, giving new life to an existing structure rather than pursuing demolition and new construction.

The building divides across two levels, including thirteen apartments providing housing for approximately 40 students. On the ground level, the Glunz Studio for Architecture and Urbanism functions as a collaborative workspace where students can critique projects, meet with faculty, and work on projects late without leaving the building.

Materials as Curriculum

Each apartment and studio space includes products donated by leading building industry manufacturers, forming a “living lab” for students to experience first-hand the same materials they will one day specify.

Corian® counters, Delta fixtures, Visual Comfort lighting, and coatings by Behr Paint reflect professional standards in performance and design. They show how durability, efficiency, and finish influence the character of a space.

Likewise, Homasote panels prevent unwanted sound transmission between collaborative areas and apartments. FreeAxez raised access flooring and Trim-Tex drywall finishing products demonstrate flexibility and strength within an adaptive reuse context. Together they turn the building into a materials classroom that connects architectural education with real world practice. Students learn material performance through daily experience, observing how finishes age, how light defines space, and how acoustics support focus.

In addition to their generous donations, many of the manufacturers involved in the project will continue their relationship with Judson by hosting workshops at Glunz Hall, giving students direct access to technical expertise and material science that extends beyond what textbooks provide.

A Community Effort to Shape the Future of Design

The true beauty of the project is that through the efforts of the Future Architect Fund, the building was acquired by the University debt-free. Thanks to significant philanthropic contributions, including a discounted property acquisition from PNC Bank, generous donations from key building product manufacturers, the project became reality without becoming a burden.

The approach reflects a "for architects, by architects" philosophy, leveraging partnerships across the design and manufacturing community to create both a physical and symbolic investment in the profession. Each material donation, discounted service, and coordinated contribution supports the organization's mission to inspire and support the next generation of architects.

An Ongoing Commitment to the Next Generation

Judson University’s Glunz Hall sets a precedent for how adaptive reuse can serve educational institutions. A structure built for one purpose in the 1960s now trains the architects who will shape the built environment in the decades ahead.

The Future Architect Fund exists to expand access to architectural education and ensure that talent, not circumstance, shapes who enters the profession. Glunz Hall brings that mission to life. It stands as a lasting symbol of how generosity can create opportunity. It is also proof that when the architecture community comes together, belief in the future becomes something you can walk through, study in, and call home.