ANN ARBOR—The schematic design for the renovation of Couzens Hall was approved by the University of Michigan Board of Regents at its meeting Thursday (July 16).

The work will include the addition of a fire suppression system, infrastructure upgrades, improvements to student rooms and bathrooms, and the creation of new community spaces for living and learning.

The schematic design presented by the architectural firm Integrated Design Solutions incorporates ideas generated from meetings, presentations and focus groups with students, faculty and staff, and planning teams.

Located on Ann Street across from then the new main hospital of the university, the building was opened in 1925 to provide housing for 260 student and graduate nurses. It was subsequently named to honor U.S. Senator James Couzens of Detroit, who gave $600,000 for the construction of the Nurses’ Home. A large wing added on the east end of Couzens Hall in the mid 1950s doubled the bed capacity and provided a new dining hall.

With the start of the renovation in spring 2010, the building’s infrastructure will be upgraded?plumbing, electrical, heating and ventilation, voice and data lines. A new fire sprinkler system will be incorporated with the detection and alarm upgrades installed a few years ago. To improve energy efficiency, additional insulation will be installed in exterior walls, and windows will be replaced or reglazed. Also, the project will include the addition of wireless high-speed network access and air conditioning throughout Couzens Hall.

Along with renovated bathrooms and student rooms, Couzens’ common areas will be significantly revised and repurposed, including the former dining hall and kitchen. A combination of community-specific spaces and Hill neighborhood destinations will support the social and academic needs of residents as well as intentional academic programs in Couzens.

The current lobby at street level will be redesigned into a dynamic community center, an interactive gathering space and electronic information hub for residents and staff. Surrounding the community center will be the living room, a lounge, student mail area and staff offices. At one side of the community center, the floor will be opened up to create a stairway and multi-level common area that connects the community center with the residential, academic support, and social areas in the lower level off Palmer Field.

The lower level will include new classrooms and offices, a multipurpose room, soundproof music practice rooms, and an upgraded Community Learning Center. Hill neighborhood destinations on this level will feature a coffee lounge where residential students may meet and study and a gaming lounge for recreation and relaxation.

The renovation of Couzens Hall will be completed for the fall term of 2011. It is part of the Residential Life Initiatives launched in 2004, a comprehensive, multi-year plan to revitalize and renovate student housing at U-M. Other projects include installation of new fire detection, alarms and fire suppression systems throughout the residence halls, the construction of the North Quadrangle Residential and Academic Complex (to open in the fall of 2010), the renovations of Mosher-Jordan Hall (re-opened fall 2008) and Stockwell Hall (fall 2009), and construction of the new Hill Dining Center (opened fall 2008).