The exterior was designed to match the character of the original building designed by Daniel H. Burnham in 1903. The careful detailing of the limestone exterior wall resulted in a Silver Award from the Illinois Indiana Masonry Institute. In making the award the judges stated:

This structure takes a position of being highly contextual and very respectful of its neighbor, the original building. Very often when architects have an addition, they will attempt to leave their own mark on the building but in this particular case, the architect disciplined himself as to attempt to make the building become whole again and to have his design become part of the entire composition. It is apparent that the architect probably did a great deal of investigation and reviewed old documents in the archives, because in two or three years time, this building will look like it is one entire building that was just recently erected. We think rather than trying to force a statement on a building, the blending and marriage of both the addition and the existing building is commendable. Our congratulations.