$90 million science complex design focuses on sustainability and energy efficiency. Modernized facilities will aid EMU in training Michigan’s next generation of workers in the sciences.

YPSILANTI, Mich., Feb. 23, 2011 – A spherical planetarium/classroom at the top of the glass and brick exterior of a new five-story building with metal sunshades, a green roof, and a rain garden act together to provide a dressed up entry to the western edge of the Eastern Michigan University (EMU) campus. These features are all part of the $90 million, energy-efficient addition to and renovation of the Mark Jefferson Science Building, a green design and construction project pursuing LEED silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and designed by the Ann Arbor, Michigan, office of architecture firm Lord, Aeck & Sargent.

The new addition to the Mark Jefferson Science Building at Eastern Michigan University dresses up the western edge of EMU’s campus. (c) 2011 Curt Clayton

• Architects: Lord, Aeck & Sargent (Ann Arbor, Mich. Office)
• Location: Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA
• Project area: Phase 1 – 80,000sf addition; Phase 2 – 180,000sf renovation
• Project year: Phase 1 – 2010; Phase 2 – 2012
• Client: Eastern Michigan University
• Civil engineer and landscape architects: Beckett & Raeder (Ann Arbor, Mich. Office)
• MEP/FP engineer: Peter Basso Associates (Troy, Mich. office)
• Structural engineer: Robert Darvas Associates (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
• Construction manager: Christman/Dumas (a joint venture of The Christman Company and Dumas Concepts in Building (EMU field office)
• Program manager: AECOM (Detroit office) – program manager
• Photographs: © 2011 Curt Clayton
• Completion date: December 2010
• Area: 80,000 square feet
• Software used: MicroStation and SketchUp

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