This past summer, the School of Architecture completed another interior renovation project focused on the lower level of the building.
This project was the third phase of a $1-million investment in the School’s facilities over the last five years, and represents the culmination of the master plan created by former Dean Steve Vogel approximately 20 years ago.
School of Architecture Dean Will Wittig sees several distinct and gratifying results of the completion this fall of the 20-year master plan to renovate the interior of the Warren Loranger Architecture Building.
More open spaces encourage collaboration, which leads students to think about their work in different ways, Wittig said. One of the rooms, The Pagnotta Collaboration Center, honors Steven ’74, ’76 and Beth Jevitz Pagnotta ’74, whose generosity made this final stage possible. Other major donations to this phase of work were made by Rainy Hamilton Jr. ’78; and Tom Blaser ’55.
Another important part of the renovation is the new workshops, which Wittig says had been a missing piece of the curriculum.
“The shop had been neglected, equipment was not used because it was outdated and inadequate,” he said. “This new woodshop is hands on and really a valuable teaching opportunity. Students will be using technology to help them design and actually fabricate items like furniture or models.”
Wittig says there are four hands-on themes in the curriculum that define what it means to be a Detroit Mercy-educated architect. They are study abroad, cooperative education, community engagement, and the integration of shops and labs with studio work. Three of these—study abroad, co-op, and community engagement—have long been vital parts of the curriculum. With the new workshop and technology labs, this fourth theme is now on equal footing with the other three.
The School has also begun the process of updating the curriculum and hiring faculty who will leverage this fourth element. “New faculty members offer a great ability to connect the way we work in the woodshop with the rest of the curriculum.” Wittig said.
One additional and important benefit of the renovations was something Wittig wasn’t expecting: “I’ve noticed a very clear improvement in morale,” he said. “Having these plans completed has had an effect on the spirit in the building. Everyone is feeling really good about the School and it shows in the way the building is being used by everyone. During class, after hours, on the weekends, it has brought a new life to the building. It’s very exciting.”
