FLINT, MI – Kettering University’s newest building earned the grand prize for higher education projects over 100 square feet at Learning By Design Magazine’s Fall 2023 Architecture and Interior Design Awards of Excellence program.
The Learning Commons, which opened in September 2022, is a $63 million state-of-the-art educational building that was designed with no offices or classrooms, but as a single entity focusing on interaction and collaboration.
Construction on the project began in February 2020.
“This is truly a visionary project not just for Kettering, but for the city of Flint, and for higher education across the globe,” an article in “Learning By Design” stated. “The Learning Commons marries technology and craft, academics and social, education and industry together within a facility that makes a statement for where higher education must go.”
The building features a 200-seat auditorium, 15,000-square-foot Maker Space, 1,600 square feet of hammocks and seating, an art gallery and even a meditation room.
“The Learning Commons transcends mere architecture; it symbolizes our distinctive and collaborative educational approach,” Kettering University President Robert McMahan said. “Serving as the vibrant center of campus interaction, our students, faculty and staff are thriving within this space, surpassing our initial vision. Kettering has redefined the national perception of university spatial design.”
Each of the winners, who were blind judged by a panel of educators, architects and designers, are featured in the Oct. 2023 edition of Learning By Design Magazine.
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