AIA - Grand Valley Chapter

Design Plus provided architectural, structural, and interior design services for a 13,749 SF interior fit-out of the fourth floor of Western Michigan University’s Graduate Center in downtown Grand Rapids. Spaces were renovated to house administrative offices, as well as a law library. This project was completed in April 2003 for a total construction cost of $1,221,000. Cooley Law School continued its expansion in to the Grand Rapids area with the 54,209 SF renovation of a 100+-year-old existing building at 38 Oakes, as well as the construction of a 31,376 SF addition to connect 38 Oakes to a new 12,852 SF building that replaced the Durfee building, all to house the Grand Rapids Campus of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. The lower level and first floor of the existing building and addition house the law library. The second through fifth floors of the existing building include medium to small sized classrooms, faculty and staff offices. The second through fifth floors of the addition include four two-story, 90-seat classrooms with tiered seating. The new building houses offices for student services, student organizations, and staff. Design Plus provided architectural, structural, acoustical, mechanical, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, ADA, life safety, air quality, and project management services on this project. The project construction was done in four phases and was finally completed in July 2006 with a total construction cost of $13,000,000 for all phases.

Classic Engineering

Classic Engineering performed the structural engineering on this project. The existing 5 story, 60,000 square foot building was of heavy timber and masonry construction. This portion of the project was modified to create a Law library in basement with two- story space by removing a portion of first floor framing. A new stair tower needed to be constructed in order for the stair to meet current code requirements. Also, a steel frame on the roof was added to support the roof top mechanical equipment. The 60,000 sq. ft. addition consisted of a partial basement with precast plank supporting the first floor. The upper floors were steel framed with a composite concrete and metal floor system construction. Four two story lecture rooms with terraced seating were included in the design. The exterior of the building was clad with precast wall panels and architectural precast spandrels.

Design Plus

Design Plus provided architectural, structural, and interior design services for a 13,749 SF interior fit-out of the fourth floor of Western Michigan University’s Graduate Center in downtown Grand Rapids. Spaces were renovated to house administrative offices, as well as a law library. This project was completed in April 2003 for a total construction cost of $1,221,000. Cooley Law School continued its expansion in to the Grand Rapids area with the 54,209 SF renovation of a 100+-year-old existing building at 38 Oakes, as well as the construction of a 31,376 SF addition to connect 38 Oakes to a new 12,852 SF building that replaced the Durfee building, all to house the Grand Rapids Campus of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. The lower level and first floor of the existing building and addition house the law library. The second through fifth floors of the existing building include medium to small sized classrooms, faculty and staff offices. The second through fifth floors of the addition include four two-story, 90-seat classrooms with tiered seating. The new building houses offices for student services, student organizations, and staff. Design Plus provided architectural, structural, acoustical, mechanical, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, ADA, life safety, air quality, and project management services on this project. The project construction was done in four phases and was finally completed in July 2006 with a total construction cost of $13,000,000 for all phases.