Renovated East Hall will use some salvaged materials from the building

Kathy Jennings | Thursday, April 3, 2014

The fireplace salvaged from North Hall, a ballroom with a seating capacity of 180, historically correct light fixtures and a lobby and public area that reinforce the building's current orientation are all part of the final plans for the redevelopment of East Hall on the Western Michigan University campus.

Wings on both sides of the building also have been added to the final plans to retain the existing look and feel of the building. Architects from TowerPinkster presented the final design for the new WMU Alumni Center March 25.

Construction will make use of salvaged materials, locally sourced new materials and incorporate geothermal heating. The aim is to obtain LEED Platinum certification for the building, the highest level.

Bricks similar to those on the original structure, possibly those salvaged from the south end of East Hall will be used on the two small wings of the building. External site plans call for preserving the center part of the North Hall portico to become a landscape focal point.

"The additions will be carried out in a way that feels more balanced and in keeping with the original," says TowerPinkster's Jason Novotney, who outlined the changes and final design.

The building's interior spaces will be heavily devoted to WMU's history. Alumni and community members are invited to help by sharing their personal stories about East Hall and WMU.

"If I think of East Hall as a sacred place, and I do, the best way to capture that spirit is through storytelling," says Jim Thomas, WMU vice president for development and alumni affairs whose units will be housed in the new center. "We need to get the very best stories to rotate through the building in years to come."

Source: Cheryl Roland, Western Michigan University

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