University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, Earl V. Moore Building Renovation and Brehm Pavilion

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University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, Earl V. Moore Building Renovation and Brehm Pavilion

The contemporary addition to The University of Michigan School of Music Theatre and Dance (SMTD) compliments the architectural language, massing, planning, and material palette of Saarinen’s original building while infusing it with a new sense of energy, light and much needed program.

Ennead Architects was our strategic partner in envisioning the renovation of the Earl V. Moore Building and the design of the new Brehm Pavilion. Ennead opened our eyes to the possibilities for the future. The team skillfully evaluated our existing facilities and needs, calibrated our spatial requirements, and seamlessly integrated a balanced combination of renovation and new construction into an historic Eero Saarinen building. The result is a transformative new music school that enhances our institutional mission.

Christopher Kendall, University of Michigan Professor of Music and Special Advisor to the Bicentennial Office
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The original Earl V. Moore Building, designed by Eero Saarinen, once revered for its architectural expression, opened on the North Campus in 1964. Over time, the music school had outgrown the facility both physically and qualitatively. Ennead Architects' renovation and addition improved the acoustic quality, size and number of existing practice rooms and provides a much needed state of the art rehearsal hall, lecture hall and classrooms.

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The Brehm Pavilion includes a welcoming new entrance at the south side of the building providing a much needed lobby for both formal and informal gatherings near the existing and new rehearsal halls, lecture hall and classrooms.

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The new entry lobby provides a comfortable space to accommodate audiences that annually attend hundreds of recitals, performances and lectures while also providing a flexible space for students to study, collaborate and relax.

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The renovation included a complete acoustical upgrade, providing students with professional quality rehearsal and performance space. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the renovation and expansion brought the facility up to twenty-first century teaching standards, creating ideal acoustical environments for studying, performing, composing and listening to music.

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Details

Year
2015
Location
Ann Arbor, MI
Size
149,000 GSF
Program
Classrooms, Event Space, Rehearsal Hall, 120-seat Lecture Hall, Percussion and Jazz Rehearsal Rooms, Technology Suite, Loading Dock, Offices

Team

Ennead Design Team
Richard Olcott, Timothy Hartung, Stephen PD Chu, Charles Griffith
Architect of Record
Integrated Design Solutions
Photography
Jeff Goldberg/Esto