The new Electrical and Computer Engineering Building (ECEB) was prepared by architects SmithGroupJJR working with their partner contractors and University of Illinois community members. ECEB was chosen 2016 Lab of the Year by R&D Magazine and the Lab Design conference. The Lab of the Year Award is an international competition representing all laboratory types including medical, research, teaching, and standards. The magazine’s editor, Ann Spiewak, reports that “Judging … was conducted by a blue-ribbon panel of laboratory architects, engineers, equipment manufacturers, researchers and the editorial staff of R&D Magazine and Laboratory Design.” Judging comments included: “[T]his project displayed good integration of lab and architecture. Furthermore, the project’s $319 per-square-foot cost is a great value and good use of the overall budget. The exterior is well-detailed, thoughtful modular planning went into the design, and it’s a fine example of ‘science on display.'”