Western Michigan University Student Center

A hub of belonging for all

Client: Western Michigan University
Location: Michigan, United States
Size: 162,000 square feet
Status: Completed

The new Student Center at Western Michigan University is a beacon of inclusion. Located on lands historically occupied by Ojibwe, Odawa and Bodewadmi nations, the building is designed to be a student-centered gathering place that champions belonging and honors the roots of Native American heritage embedded throughout the site.

Replacing the Bernhard Center, the new vibrant space is intended to serve as the hub of belonging, fostering connection, community and collaboration for all students. The three-level building features gathering and lounge spaces, a dining facility, the campus bookstore, an anticipated on-campus brewpub, the campus welcome center and retail locations. It also features a grand ballroom, conferencing spaces and a game room, while dotting collaboration zones throughout.

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.

Wmu Student Center Students In Front — 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.

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.

Wmu Student Center 16 — 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.

A model of inclusive design

The CannonDesign team worked in partnership with DEI consultant Renee Wallace, a diverse group of WMU students and Kalamazoo residents to create spaces intentionally designed to create a welcoming and inclusive environment. Understanding that the design process and institutional policies are key drivers in curating spaces of belonging, the team employed a multifaceted approach to programming the building.

Gathering and lounge spaces are programmed throughout the building to offer students choices between open and closed spaces, furniture and lighting.

Wmu Student Center 23 — Gathering and lounge spaces are programmed throughout the building to offer students choices between open and closed spaces, furniture and lighting.

The building is designed to welcome diverse student interests, from dining and social experiences to various areas for relaxing or studying.

Wmu Student Center 10 — The building is designed to welcome diverse student interests, from dining and social experiences to various areas for relaxing or studying.

Wmu Student Center 21 — The building is designed to welcome diverse student interests, from dining and social experiences to various areas for relaxing or studying.

Wmu Student Center 18 — The building is designed to welcome diverse student interests, from dining and social experiences to various areas for relaxing or studying.

The Student Organization Center is a vibrant activity space for various student groups. It is a place where students of all backgrounds gather for connection, community and collaboration.

Wmu Student Center 2 — The Student Organization Center is a vibrant activity space for various student groups. It is a place where students of all backgrounds gather for connection, community and collaboration.

We have an excellent final product ... an innovative, student-focused facility to serve our community's needs.

Paul Terzino Student Center Director

The "Heart"

The building’s unique design was inspired by cultural elements important to WMU students, including elements of Native American culture such as the idea of the sitting circle. Rather than the straight walls and rectangular spaces that are customary in traditional architecture, the building features mostly curved walls and circular rooms and spaces.

The central atrium, lined with cedarwood and lit above by skylights, is known as “the Heart,” invoking the forests of Michigan that include plenty of cedar trees. The Heart is a place for affinity groups to meet, with performance spaces and meeting rooms — flooded with natural light from the roof all the way to the ground floor.

According to Granger Construction who worked on the project, around 17,000 panels of cedar wood were used in the construction of the Cedar Heart and Gathering Stair.

Wmu Student Center Cbarrett 7 — According to Granger Construction who worked on the project, around 17,000 panels of cedar wood were used in the construction of the Cedar Heart and Gathering Stair.

Wmu Student Center Cbarrett 10 — According to Granger Construction who worked on the project, around 17,000 panels of cedar wood were used in the construction of the Cedar Heart and Gathering Stair.

Wmu Student Center Cbarrett 8 — According to Granger Construction who worked on the project, around 17,000 panels of cedar wood were used in the construction of the Cedar Heart and Gathering Stair.

The Cedar Heart allows students to easily access spaces and amenities throughout the building.

Wmu Student Center 13 — The Cedar Heart allows students to easily access spaces and amenities throughout the building.

The Gathering Stair

The Gathering Stair is the central design element of the Heart. It is a defining circular space with multiple landings, with stairs wrapping around the upper landing almost like an amphitheater. Each landing of the space is accessible by a chair lift.