Advancing Hands-On Learning
That rapid growth of students pursuing STEM degrees placed extraordinary demand on the University of Michigan, Flint campus’s only science facility, the Murchie Science Building (MSB). To support enrollment growth and strengthen the university’s role as a regional hub for science and technology education, UM-Flint embarked on a major expansion. The new 70,000-square-foot addition, designed by HED, redefines the campus’s capacity for STEM education while creating a stronger sense of community for its predominantly commuter population.
For UM-Flint, the challenge was twofold: add high-performance classrooms and laboratories while also fostering the sense of belonging that comes more naturally on residential campuses. The design responds by encapsulating the feel of a four-year university experience within a single building. The addition integrates academic and social spaces, encouraging students not only to attend class but also to stay, collaborate, and connect.
Spread across four stories, the addition introduces a wide range of specialized environments. A soaring high-bay laboratory supports vibration and automotive experiments, while new wet labs serve bioscience and chemistry. Engineering labs add further flexibility for research and applied study. At the center of the third floor, a suite of large, general-purpose classrooms consolidates learning across disciplines. By drawing students from every STEM field into a shared academic core, the design prevents silos and sparks opportunities for cross-disciplinary discovery.
The building is also designed to meet the unique needs of UM-Flint’s commuter students. Comfortable lounges, collaborative zones, and study areas encourage students to remain on campus between classes, making the building both an academic hub and a social anchor. In doing so, the addition nurtures the informal interactions and peer networks that are essential to student success.
Sustainability was integral to the project. The addition achieved LEED Silver certification, reflecting both environmental responsibility and a commitment to long-term performance. Renovations to the building envelope, energy-efficient mechanical systems, and thoughtful daylighting strategies reduce energy use while improving the overall learning environment.
“This addition will provide new state-of-the-art architecture and interactive learning spaces essential to our high-quality programs and ensure that UM-Flint facilities remain cutting-edge in the fields of STEM.”
Architecturally, the addition extends the character of the original Murchie Science Building while presenting a fresh, contemporary identity. Transparent facades showcase activity within, turning student learning into a visible part of campus life. From the outside, the building signals UM-Flint’s investment in science and technology. Inside, it reinforces the university’s mission to provide accessible, high-quality education that empowers both traditional and nontraditional students.
With the expansion complete, UM-Flint now offers a comprehensive, future-ready environment for STEM. The Murchie Science Building Addition provides the laboratories, classrooms, and gathering spaces needed to sustain growth while giving every student—whether full-time residential or commuting between responsibilities—a place to learn, collaborate, and belong.
