U-M opens doors to new Ross Business School in Ann Arbor

Wednesday, January 28, 2009 | Source: Concentrate

A recently opened University of Michigan facility is new in more ways than one.

U-M has focused on building classic brick-and-stone buildings in recent years, especially in the heart of campus. The Ford School of Public Policy, Undergraduate Library and North Quad Dorm are typical of this style.

Not the new home for the Ross School of Business. The 270,000-square-foot is built out with lots of glass, steel and, well, a little bit of brick. However, the overall structure reflects modern design.

The heart of the building is the Davidson Winter Garden, a glass-enclosed public space surrounded by the Blau Auditorium, the Seigle Café and several informal meeting spaces. Various nearby classrooms can hold between 40 and 85 students each.

The building is also filled with state-of-the art technology, ranging from Wi-Fi to fully loaded study rooms that let students and faculty do work around the world.

U-M has also incorporated a number of sustainable features in the new building, going for LEED certification. Materials such as concrete, drywall and steel used to build the new structure were made from recycled materials. There is also high-efficiency lighting, heating, and cooling systems, green roofs, automatic faucets and low-flush toilets.

And the cherry on the top? A gym that comes equipped with free weights, strength and aerobics machines and workout areas.

Source: University of Michigan
Writer: Jon Zemke