The Board of Regents approved the schematic design for the renovation of West Quadrangle residence hall at its July 18 meeting.
Constructed in 1937, West Quad and the adjoining Michigan Union-Cambridge House accommodate approximately 1,100 students. The renovation will include infrastructure upgrades such as new plumbing, heating, cooling and ventilation systems; new elevators, roof replacement and window improvements; renovated student rooms and bath facilities; and interior passage and accessibility improvements.
With the creation of a Central Campus dining facility in nearby South Quad, the dining and kitchen areas in West Quad will be repurposed for much-needed community and study spaces for student living and learning activities. Improvements in how students circulate within the building will include work on exterior entrances.
“Student input has been very important in developing design concepts for contemporary living experiences within West Quad, balancing both the architectural heritage of the building and developing spaces that are desired by students today,” said University Housing Director Linda L. Newman.
“The renovation will provide more group study and gathering spaces, the addition of community kitchens on different floors, new multipurpose rooms, a new community center and open living room, and the creation of single and two-level suites on the lower floors.”
The project design was presented to the regents by the architect, Integrated Design Solutions LLC of Troy. The estimated cost of the renovation is $114.5 million. Construction is anticipated to start in May 2014.
The West Quad renovation is part of the Residential Life Initiatives (RLI), a planned capital program launched in 2004 to improve university housing and dining facilities and to strengthen the connection between living and learning on campus.
RLI projects have included upgraded fire alarm and suppression systems throughout the residence halls, the construction of Hill Dining Center and North Quadrangle Residential and Academic Complex, and comprehensive renovations at Mosher-Jordan, Stockwell, Couzens and Alice Lloyd halls.
It also has included significant upgrades to Vera Baits II Housing on North Campus. The renovation of East Quad will be completed for student move-in this August. South Quad now is closed for renovation during the next year.
Financing of the multiyear capital program is funded through student room and board revenue and investment proceeds.
