Western Michigan University Student Union

Kalamazoo, Michigan

The Western Michigan University Student Center, serves as a vibrant hub for students, emphasizing community, inclusivity, and connection. Reflecting the essence of Michigan's natural landscapes and student culture, the center's design features organic elements like curved walls and a cedar-lined central atrium. The exterior of the building was envisioned as a forest standing on bedrock. Gold fins fan out around the façade, providing sun protection and reflecting cutouts that mimic a tree canopy shadow onto the exterior glass and into the interior spaces. The lower level of the building’s exterior resembles the region’s Kalamazoo bedrock, which creates an appearance of geometric terraces when exposed to sunlight.

Hobbs+Black Architects is proud to have developed, in partnership with CannonDesign, the Western Michigan University Student Union. This monumental project has reshaped the WMU campus, aligning seamlessly with the university's and Student Affairs' strategic goals to ensure continuity through all project phases and successful implementation of all components.

The building, constructed using Type IIA methods, houses the third Bubble Deck installation in the United States, showcasing our commitment to innovative and sustainable design. Achieving LEED Silver standards, the Student Union is a testament to our teams dedication to environmental stewardship.

Features:

  • State-of-the-art residential dining center featuring eight micro-restaurants with innovative views of food preparation, cuisines ranging from traditional to on-trend and international selections, multiple seating options and outdoor views of campus, and a grab'n-go location

  • Student Organization Resources Center

  • Seven unique lounges

  • Two study rooms

  • Restaurants – Starbucks, Mi Pi, Fuego Verde, Re-Fresh Market, and a pub

  • Campus bookstore

  • Game room

  • Commuter Resource Center

  • Variety of meeting rooms

  • Mosaic Affinity Suite

  • PNC branch bank and FedEx print/pack/ship store

  • Admissions Welcome Center

  • Student Media Group

  • Parent's room