Located at 5143 Cass Avenue, on the south end of the main campus, State Hall is the University’s second largest general-purpose classroom building. Various academic units use the building which provides 62 classrooms in the basement through the third floors, with seating capacities ranging from 18 students in the smaller seminar rooms, to 237 in the largest lecture hall. The fourth floor of State Hall previously provided faculty offices and research space for the Computer Science Department, which was relocated to 5057 Woodward in 2010. It is now vacant.
This renovation project will result in approximately 16 new instructional spaces that will be equipped with the latest academic technologies to permit faculty and students to teach and learn in a variety of easily reconfigured spaces. The project scope will include the complete demolition of the fourth floor’s interior, and the construction of architectural, mechanical and electrical systems for the new classrooms, seminar and study lounges, and restroom facilities. New audio visual equipment and furniture will be provided to fit out the classrooms and lounges. The project scope also includes a new water service entrance, fire pumps, and vertical distribution. Horizontal distribution and sprinkler heads will be installed on fourth floor only.
This project will also replace the original, 55 year old window system of the 1946 wing on the first, second and third floor. The antiquated window system consisting of single pane glass in steel frames, with both operable sash and fixed glazing units, and glass block panels are failing due to age. Replacing these windows will reduced the energy consumption, stop the water infiltration and renew a current asset, taking advantage of the infrastructure already constructed. The proposed project scope includes removal and replacement of the existing widow system with a new aluminum framing and insulated glazing to provide less thermal conductivity and to reduce heat gain from sunlight, thus providing a more comfortable and energy efficient environment. The glass block will be replaced on the south façade. Window blinds and damaged window sills will be replaced. Interior plaster and drywall will be repaired and painted.