Looking into a lit up building at night. A whale skeleton hangs from the ceiling of the second floor. Students are walking into the building

Umbeck Science-Mathematics Center Renovation

A grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is supporting the project to enhance STEM teaching and learning facilities.

Investing in Our Campus

The Umbeck Science-Mathematics Center (SMC) is home to Knox’s biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, and psychology departments, along with the Amott Science Commons, a collaborative learning space that includes the College’s Makerspace Hub.

Funded by a $10 million grant from the State of Illinois’ Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the current renovation project will focus on the building’s C-Wing, which houses the chemistry classrooms and laboratories, along with common spaces and faculty offices.

A group of people sit underneath the skeleton of a whale.

SMC Renovation News

Knox College Partners with Regional Firms RATIO, Russell on $10 Million Renovation of Science Building

The Umbeck Science-Mathematics Center is home to Knox’s biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, and psychology departments, along with the Amott Science Commons, a collaborative learning space that includes the College’s Makerspace Hub.

Renovation Updates

February 2026

The Steering Committee met with the design and construction team in late January to discuss project progress and preliminary pricing.
An in-person workshop is scheduled for February 11, during which the design team will discuss the specific teaching and learning needs for each space in the C-Wing.
The proposed schedule remains on track with construction anticipated to begin this Summer.
Senior leaders are also examining spaces outside the C-Wing that could be improved beyond the grant project.

January 2026

RATIO completed the schematic design phase, which allows us to work with the construction manager, Russell, to receive preliminary pricing feedback on this initial design. Feedback should be received by the end of January 2026 and will be incorporated into the next design iterations.

As part of this phase, the SMC Renovation Steering Committee has agreed on the following success criteria as the outcomes that matter most and will guide decision-making:

Reliable and Maintainable Building Systems
Laboratory Functionality
User Comfort, Accessibility, and Safety
Collaboration & Community.

Proposed strategies for lab sustainability were also decided and included:

Energy Efficiency: Power management, energy-efficient equipment, set benchmark Energy Use Intensity (EUI) targets based on the International Institute for sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) Benchmarking Tool.
Waste Reduction: Minimize single-use plastics and chemical inventory management.
Sustainable Procurement: Eco-friendly suppliers and a design team is committed to the AIA 2030 & AIA Materials Pledge.
Foster a Culture of Sustainability: Engagement with Knox College faculty and staff, collaboration with Knox College sustainability planning for future and long-term planning.

After consulting with the College's sustainability representatives, RATIO recommends that the renovation have a "design to" level of sustainability equal to that of LEED Silver Building Certification.

November 2025

The second design workshop with RATIO took place, during which the RATIO team presented their initial findings and assumptions. This included meetings with the chemistry department and other project stakeholders.