The University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning has broken ground on the Ann Arbor campus for a new wing on the Art & Architecture building.
The addition will be named the A. Alfred Taubman Wing in honor of the man who donated $12.5 million to pay for the project. The college itself was named for Taubman after he gave $30 million to the college in 1999.
The university says the new wing will consist of 36,000 gross square feet and have studio space, faculty offices, a classroom, student support spaces and multipurpose commons space for the presentation of academic projects and for events.
"The new wing will establish a remarkable visual presence that reflects the academic strength and influence of the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning," says University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel.
A new multi-purpose commons will provide a central gathering place for the community and act as the "heart of the building."
The building is anticipated to be completed in 2017.
