Regents approve design for extensive Michigan Union renovation

Topics:

Plans to renovate the iconic, 97-year-old Michigan Union took another step forward Thursday as the Board of Regents approved the project’s schematic design.   

The $85.2 million project will enhance student social space on the main level by expanding lounge and study spaces. It also will create state-of-the-art student organization and student involvement space, improve space for counseling and student support services, and enhance meeting space near the Rogel Ballroom.

“The project team has worked to create highly interactive spaces that allow for students and student organizations to interact with each other in meaningful ways,” says E. Royster Harper, vice president for student life.

“For almost 100 years the union has been the place that the university family gathers to celebrate, collaborate, remember and create what is truly special about Michigan.”

The current Michigan Union consists of the original building, which opened in 1919, and additions that were built in the 1930s and ’50s.

The project also includes plans to enclose the courtyard for year-round use. The design calls for a new glass-and-steel roof structure over the courtyard. The appearance of the roof will incorporate arches and curves found in the original 1919 Michigan Union building.

This drawing shows the planned enclosure for the Michigan Union courtyard. (Drawing courtesy of Architecture, Engineering and Construction)

“The nature of Michigan weather dictated the patio could only be used a few months per year. We also heard from students and others on campus about the need for more programming space,” says Susan Pile, senior director of university unions and auxiliary services. “The enclosed courtyard will create a new, vibrant, year-round social hub as a place for students, campuswide events and informal gathering space.”

The renovations will improve accessibility throughout the building in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Pile also noted that the north side of the building is the most heavily used entrance. Data shows that more than 1.2 million people use this entrance each year and, in many ways, consider it to be the front door to the building.

In recognition of this prominent entry, a new, curved glass entrance canopy will be constructed. The design will include architectural elements reflected throughout the original union building and the Michigan League, which was designed by the same architects as the union.

The union’s north entryway will be redesigned to feature a curved glass canopy. (Drawing courtesy of Architecture, Engineering and Construction)

The project also plans to address infrastructure needs such as life safety, electrical, mechanical, plumbing improvements, elevator replacements and upgrades, the replacement of the roof, restoration of windows and some interior finish upgrades.

The union has long been a vibrant center for the campus community. It contains meeting and special event spaces, student organization office and activity spaces, dining and retail establishments, study lounges and other services, and resources related to support students and enhance the campus community. 

Pile also noted that the Michigan Union board of representatives and the student organization Building a Better Michigan were instrumental in assuring student involvement and successfully advocating for improvements to the union.

“We provided input to the architects and designers on what students would like to see in this project,” says Jason Comstock, U-M student and co-president from Building a Better Michigan. “The renovation will bring the iconic building back to life and make students excited about their union again.”

Funding will be provided from the Student Life student fee for facility renewal and investment proceeds. In April 2013, regents approved a new $65-per-term student fee that will fund improvements in the university unions and recreational sports facilities. The Michigan Union project is the latest in an initiative of investments to revitalize spaces beyond the classroom, from unions and recreational fields to buildings.

The architectural firm Integrated Design Solutions — in association with Workshop Architects Inc. as the design architect, and Hartman-Cox Architects as the historic preservation specialists — designed the project.

The two-year project is expected to begin in spring 2018.  It will provide an average of 75 on-site construction jobs. There will be no impact on parking from this project.

The Michigan Union is the third oldest college union in the nation.

It is the successor to an earlier union clubhouse, a remodeled residence built originally by Judge Thomas M. Cooley, a longtime member of the university’s law faculty.

In early 1916, the clubhouse was torn down to make way for a new Michigan Union. The growth of the student body and the increasing importance of the union made an expansion of its facilities imperative. Plans for the new union were prepared by alumni and brothers Allen Pond and Irving K. Pond.

Tags:

Comments

  1. Sara Wagner
    on March 16, 2017 at 5:31 pm

    That’s horrible. It’s going to look like everything else.

    • Marjorie Korenblit
      on March 18, 2017 at 11:36 pm

      I hope the unique architectural details of the east entrance and first floor will be retained to maintain the building’s character. The sterility of some of the newer campus buildings is off-putting.

  2. Knute Nadelhoffer
    on March 17, 2017 at 5:37 am

    Will the renovated building meet any criteria for energy efficiency or carbon neutrality, such as LEED design standards? If so, what level? If not, why not?

  3. Carol Barbour
    on March 17, 2017 at 6:49 am

    Deeply hope the irreplaceable gorgeous historic woodwork, windows, unique meeting rooms with features like fireplaces, bookcases, tiles, vintage lighting , paintings etc will not be improved until they are ruined. Agree with above commenter about too modern-homogenized look to entrance. Hope that’s not the overall plan. The historic vintage character of the building is priceless.

  4. Jennifer Herron
    on March 17, 2017 at 8:05 am

    I think the design looks exciting! It will be important to retain the historic character of the building despite the improvements. Looking forward to it!

  5. Kassandra Frost
    on March 17, 2017 at 8:19 am

    Will there be updates for individuals with disabilities?

    • Mike Shay
      on March 18, 2017 at 7:58 pm

      “The renovations will improve accessibility throughout the building in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

    • Mike Shay
      on March 18, 2017 at 7:58 pm

      “The renovations will improve accessibility throughout the building in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

  6. Pamela Johnson
    on March 17, 2017 at 3:43 pm

    Will the renovated Michigan Union receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification? And, will the redesign offer individuals with disabilities easy access?

    I like the new design of the Michigan Union.

  7. John Frey
    on March 18, 2017 at 1:14 pm

    I like the new north entrance. The current one is like walking in to a cave. But I hope the rest of the renovation will keep the historic character of the building.

  8. Laura Isenstein
    on March 18, 2017 at 6:15 pm

    What a wonderful renovation plan! It honors the historic role of the Union while meeting the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s Wolverines!

    Any plans to update the UGLI with state of the art collaboration, high tech, STEM and gathering space similar to NC State’s James Hunt Library.

  9. Laura Isenstein
    on March 18, 2017 at 6:15 pm

    What a wonderful renovation plan! It honors the historic role of the Union while meeting the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s Wolverines!

    Any plans to update the UGLI with state of the art collaboration, high tech, STEM and gathering space similar to NC State’s James Hunt Library.

  10. Todd Austin
    on March 20, 2017 at 3:20 pm

    There is a constant demand to use this magnificent building to host events that face toward the public, both those inside the building and those who connect virtually. The current wired Ethernet infrastructure falls woefully short of providing high-quality experiences in this regard. My hope is that the infrastructure work to be done will ensure excellent high-speed wired connectivity through all spaces, so that all campus groups can use this wonderful space and show it off to the world!

  11. Howard Snyder
    on April 5, 2017 at 5:56 pm

    Bring back the Michigan Union guest (hotel) rooms… and the bowling alley!

    • David Taylor
      on April 25, 2017 at 4:56 am

      Amen. I would love to stay in the Union as an Alum. Plus the kids would eat up the bowling alley. They could mirror the boutique bowling club trend in San Francisco. 6 lanes works fine here. http://missionbowlingclub.com/brunch/

Leave a comment

Commenting is closed for this article. Please read our comment guidelines for more information.