Former research center transformed L
ater this year, Western Michigan University will welcome students into its brand new School of Medicine, located in a former pharmaceutical research building in downtown Kalamazoo, Mich. The transformation is being made possible, in part, through MPI Research’s donation of the eight-story building, the participation of local teaching hospitals Borgess Health and Bronson Healthcare, through donor gifts and endowment income, and WMU’s commitment to expanded programming. WMU hired Walbridge to convert the 330,000-square-foot structure into a state-of-the-art academic and research facility under a two-year construction management contract. Walbridge gutted 60 percent of the building’s interior while keeping utility systems operational. The team added a seven-story stairway, constructed a three-story atrium that ties the existing facility to a new three-story coned-shaped addition, and added a 22,000-square-foot medical simulation laboratory. The new addition will hold two tiered team-based learning lecture halls. Achieving its unique design has been the most challenging aspect of the project. Due to the proposed cone and elliptical shaping, Walbridge and the architect turned to building information modeling (BIM) to construct the circular lecture halls inside the addition space and align the intricate combination of wall and ceiling paneling with each room’s 16-foot projection screens. Once framing was erected, the team laser scanned the steel structure to ensure accuracy of the addition’s foundation and structure, which was critical to proper installation of its skin and build out.
Students and faculty will arrive this summer.
The addition’s striking façade is comprised of glass and zinc panels and composite metal panels; while the glass panels were straight cut, everything else is curved both vertically and horizontally, calling for precise and careful execution. The team removed 20 percent of the building’s existing façade to build the addition. Existing laboratory space has been converted into classrooms and floor plates were opened up to create the School of Medicine’s two-story auditorium, featuring stadium-style suites for supplemental sitting space and conference presentations. When the overhaul is complete, four levels of former laboratory and administration space will have been converted into instructional space, student life space and new administrative office space. The building’s seventh floor will hold a 12-cadaver anatomy lab and pathology suite, as well as a medical examiner’s office fully-accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME.) The renovated building allows more daylight inside than ever before, contributing toward the renovated portion of the building being designed and constructed to meet LEED® Silver certification. Walbridge is on track to complete the project this spring. On March 11, WMU announced that the new medical school will be named the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. See more photos of the renovated WMU School of Medicine >
New instructional space. Built For Good I 9