UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ANN ARBOR, MI
EAST QUAD RENOVATION: LIVE, LEARN, NOURISH, PLAY AIA VIRGINIA DESIGN AWARDS 2015 | CATEGORY: ARCHITECTURE The University of Michigan desired to transform an antiquated, 1930’s era building into a vibrant, transparent, living-learning facility. Over time, the residential college grew in response to student needs, encroaching on spaces that were intended for other purposes, thereby impacting functionality. The four-story, Collegiate Gothic structure had significant architectural features and detailing worth saving and integrating into the new design. Features such as limestone arches, lintels, copings, water tables, bay windows and door frames, and key areas of fenestration that included leaded glass windows gave the building a distinct identity. The design team sought to create a physical environment that was more properly aligned with the University’s vision and aspirations of the ideal residential college experience, while retaining its historic character. The renovations provide diverse and welcoming spaces for students that foster a strong sense of community, while capitalizing on the University’s traditions and values. Aesthetic project goals celebrate the culture of the community with the integrated display of art, signs, and media, while reusing existing materials in inventive and integrated ways, and bringing natural light into the interior through sensitive, cost-effective infill additions. Another focus was establishing clear way finding to guide students, staff, faculty and visitors to primary activities and spaces. Materials and details are used as a system to define nodes and major community spaces that orient and connect people throughout the building. Learning spaces were a focus of the program with a wide range of space types including art studios, classrooms, music instruction, academic study, and a full-scale theater. The design showcases the diversity of people and programs throughout the residential college. Another significant component of the project involved correcting dining operation inefficiencies. PROJECT START: JANUARY 2011 PROJECT COMPLETION: AUGUST 2013 CONSTRUCTION COST: $85 MILLION PROJECT SIZE: 297,544 SF NUMBER OF RESIDENTS: 850 NUMBER OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: 5
HISTORY & BUILDING EVOLUTION This building is among the University’s “Heritage” properties. Its physical identity and character is shaped by a brick and stone Collegiate Gothic exterior. A few key public spaces on the first floor contribute to the historic integrity of the structure.
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ABOVE: Two-story atrium seen through the ornately detailed north portal entry. BELOW: BUILDING EVOLUTION A major addition in 1946 doubled the size of East Quad but site utilities and a courtyard infill addition in 1969 created functional and circulation issues that were addressed in the renovation. Two small additions in 2012 overcame these issues.
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48’
SITE PLAN Located in an urban community, East Quad has three courtyards that connect residents to the surrounding streets. The north courtyard is a primary circulation route connecting students to central campus through a portal ornately detailed in limestone. As a landscaped quad, the north courtyard connects residents and visitors directly to the main level at two angled corner entrances. The south courtyards are quieter and more residential in scale.
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Sculpture Court
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Entrances
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North Portal Entry
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Service Dock
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North Courtyard
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South Courtyard, East
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Two-story Atrium
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South Courtyard, West
PROGRAMMING The renovation’s purpose was primarily to meet functional program requirements of an ever-expanding residential college, while updating obsolete building systems. Vital to the success of the design is the vision of a single community with a central heart, synergies between programs, and the sense of belonging for all residents, programs, and constituents associated with the residential college. Visible programs Before the renovation, classrooms and art studios in the lower level were remote and nonfunctional. The design team created activity areas around art, theater, language and social issues, improving program visibility. Grouping these program elements together was achieved through modest infill additions in three locations, allowing for wider, aligned corridors and new stairs. Connections A central space bridges curricular and co-curricular programs. A new stair, adjacent to the cafÊ and the main entrance connects students, staff, faculty and visitors to classrooms, offices, the theater, and a main east-west hallway, which leads to music and art.
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Classrooms
Support
Offices
Community Lounges
Art Studios
Civic Spaces
Theater
Dining & Servery
Residential
Kitchen
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Photos: (1) Angled glass around the new Cafe creates a transparent corner and visually links people with stairs to the lower level classrooms, art studio and theater entrance. (2) An open and connected hallway links both sides of the community in a light filled space with comfortable seating. (3) The renovation connects two large, formerly separate dining rooms to an open exhibition-style servery. (4) The art gallery, adjacent to a major public entrance, is designed with solid and transparent walls for increased visibility and functional display.
FLOOR PLANS The project accommodates 850 full-time students sup1
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ported by an administration team of about 15 people. More than 60 faculty members maintain office space within the building. The new dining and servery attract many non-resident students at lunch, and annual events
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in the art gallery and theater also draw outside visitors.
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The facility is full of activity, day and night, and has more
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than tripled its meal plan numbers.
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Ceramic Studio
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Keene Theater
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Sculpture Studio
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Theater Lobby
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Photography Studio
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Sculpture Court
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Printmaking & Drawing Studio
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Community Lounge
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Community Center
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Critique Lounge
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Art Gallery
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Scene Shop
17
CafĂŠ
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Music Instruction
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Servery
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Drama/Green Room
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Dining
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Classroom
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North Courtyard
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Two-Story Atrium
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The space is designed
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strategically to preserve heritage features, and provide smooth transitions between the existing building
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features and new infill. N LOWER LEVEL FLOOR PLAN
FIRST LEVEL FLOOR PLAN
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48’
DEFINING SPACES: SCULPTURE COURT A new sunken sculpture court is defined by high walls. Located off of the theater lobby, the new open court brings ample natural light into the lower level and visually communicates the ‘signature’ of the programs through artwork. Access to the court from the lower level provides space for pre- and post-function theater gatherings. The sculpture court is used for exhibits by art faculty, while the theater lobby doubles as rehearsal space.
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BEFORE
SCULPTURE COURT SECTION 1
Lower Level Private Sculpture Court
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Street Level Public Sculpture Court
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Community Center Study/ Social Hub
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New Façade
The Sculpture Court’s new façade allows for floor-to-ceiling glazing, providing ample natural light deep into the space.
DEFINING SPACES: ATRIUM Over time, the north wall had doors removed and non-compliant ADA ramps added. This small, twostory addition provides visitors and students with access to academic spaces, which are now highly visible (day and night), benefiting from natural light and synergies with adjacent program spaces.
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BEFORE 2
7 3 ATRIUM SECTION
4 2 BEFORE A new two-story atrium enlivens the lower level with natural light and views to the outside, while preserving the original masonry wall.
1 Wood Acoustic Ceiling 2 Bench Seat
5 Preserved Lead
Glass Windows
3 Connection Stair
6 Floor-to-ceiling Glazing
4 Art Display
7 Outdoor Dining/
Study Plaza
DEFINING SPACES: ATRIUM Over time, the north wall had doors removed and non-compliant ADA ramps added. This small, twostory addition provides visitors and students with access to academic spaces, which are now highly visible (day and night), benefiting from natural light and synergies with adjacent program spaces.
1
5
6
BEFORE 2
7 3 ATRIUM SECTION
4 2 BEFORE A new two-story atrium enlivens the lower level with natural light and views to the outside, while preserving the original masonry wall.
1 Wood Acoustic Ceiling 2 Bench Seat
5 Preserved Lead
Glass Windows
3 Connection Stair
6 Floor-to-ceiling Glazing
4 Art Display
7 Outdoor Dining/
Study Plaza
PROGRAMMING The renovation’s purpose was primarily to meet functional program requirements of an ever-expanding residential college, while updating obsolete building systems. Vital to the success of the design is the vision of a single community with a central heart, synergies between programs, and the sense of belonging for all residents, programs, and constituents associated with the residential college. Visible programs Before the renovation, classrooms and art studios in the lower level were remote and non-functional. The design team created activity areas around art, theater, language and social issues, improving program visibility. Grouping these program elements together was achieved through modest infill additions in three locations, allowing for wider, aligned corridors and new stairs. Connections A central space bridges curricular and co-curricular programs. A new stair, adjacent to the cafÊ and the main entrance connects students, staff, faculty and visitors to classrooms, offices, the theater, and a main east-west hallway, which leads to music and art.
FIR
LO
ST
W
LE
ER
VE
LE
Classrooms
Support
Offices
Community Lounges
Art Studios
Civic Spaces
Theater
Dining & Servery
Residential
Kitchen
L
VE
L
Photos: (1) Angled glass around the new Cafe creates a transparent corner and visually links people with stairs to the lower level classrooms, art studio and theater entrance. (2) An open and connected hallway links both sides of the Residential College in a light filled space with comfortable seating. (3) The renovation connects two large, formerly separate dining rooms to an open exhibition-style servery. (4) The art gallery, adjacent to a major public entrance, is designed with solid and transparent walls for increased visibility and functional display.
FLOOR PLANS The project accommodates 850 full-time students sup1
2
ported by an administration team of about 15 people. More than 60 faculty members maintain office space within the building. The new dining and servery attract many non-resident students at lunch, and annual events
9
3
9
4
9
9
9
9
9
9
in the art gallery and theater also draw outside visitors.
20 5
The facility is full of activity, day and night, and has more
14
9
than tripled its meal plan numbers.
10 9
9
6
9
8
9
Ceramic Studio
11
Keene Theater
2
Sculpture Studio
12
Theater Lobby
3
Photography Studio
13
Sculpture Court
4
Printmaking & Drawing Studio
14
Community Lounge
15
Community Center
5
Critique Lounge
16
Art Gallery
6
Scene Shop
17
CafĂŠ
7
Music Instruction
18
Servery
8
Drama/Green Room
19
Dining
9
Classroom
20
North Courtyard
10
Two-Story Atrium
17 16
19
7 18
12 13
1
11
9
19 19
14
14
The space is designed strategically
14
to preserve heritage features, and provide smooth transitions between the existing building
14
features and new infill. N LOWER LEVEL FLOOR PLAN
FIRST LEVEL FLOOR PLAN
0
48’