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Petrick Idea Center

³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø the Building

A bold new landmark is rising on Illinois Wesleyan University's Eckley Quad.

The Petrick Idea Center will be a campus nerve center for creativity, collaboration, cross-discipline teamwork, and conscience-driven innovation. Designed to bring students of every major together to develop meaningful solutions to real-world challenges, this is more than just a building — it’s a launchpad for ideas that make a difference.

Connected to the Ames School of Art and Design, The Petrick Idea Center reflects Illinois Wesleyan’s belief that the Liberal Arts, paired with innovation and entrepreneurship, can shape a better future.

The First and Second Stories

Petrick Idea Center first story plan
Petrick Idea Center Second Story Plan

What if a building could embody innovation — not just in how it looks, but in how it works?

From The Talluto Solution Center to multiple makerspaces, startup zones, and cross-disciplinary studios, every detail of the site and floor plan supports the Petrick Pillars: collaboration, cross-discipline, creativity, and conscience.

Located at the intersection of art, technology, and purpose, this is where students from every major will learn to solve complex challenges and turn ideas into action.

 

Signature Spaces

The Talluto Solution Center

Rendering of the Talluto Solution Center - standing in northwest corner
Rendering of the Talluto Solution Center - standing near northwest entrance
Rendering of the corridor through the Ames School of Art and Design

Walk into The Petrick Idea Center, and you’ll arrive in The Talluto Solution Center — a vibrant, flexible space designed for bold thinking, spontaneous collaboration, and practical problem-solving. Whether students are refining a pitch, prototyping a product, or teaming up across majors, this is where it begins.

Surrounded by makerspaces, project pods, and connected to the Ames School of Art & Design through the Innovation Corridor, The Talluto Solution Center anchors the first floor as the central hub for bringing ideas to life.

 

Fisher Forum

Rendering of the Fisher Forum - view of learning stairs
Rendering of the Fisher Forum - view from the top of the learning stairs

At the center of The Petrick Idea Center is a space built for what matters most: connection.

The Fisher Forum will serve as a flexible, light-filled gathering space — part amphitheater, part classroom, part idea launchpad. Here, students from every discipline will come together to share stories, test ideas, and spark momentum.


Maker Space

As an innovation hub on Illinois Wesleyan University's campus, we have many of the tools necessary to help your dreams become a reality. Whether it be launching a startup, creating a prototype, working on a class project, or pursuing your hobby, let the Maker Space be your home. Housed in the Petrick Idea Center, programs are available to anyone on campus and help create a rich entrepreneurial spirit.