Couzens Hall

The Hill Neighborhood is one of three main residential communities at the University of Michigan featuring four historic buildings that were all in need of drastic infrastructure renovation, revitalization, and student life transformation. The IDS team of architects and engineers became involved with this project when they originally participated in the 2009 renovation of Stockwell Hall. The final two renovation projects, Couzens and Alice Lloyd, were completed in June 2011 and July 2012, finalizing the internal modernization of these buildings‚ adding air-conditioning, state-of-the-art technology and sustainability, as well as creating socially interactive community space and connection to the rest of Main Street.

The University Residential Program serves over 12,500 people with the third-largest family housing operation and the sixth-largest campus housing system in U.S.

The Residence Life Initiatives project focused on two goals: to create a single community by invigorating connections and creating a sense of belonging for all; and to provide infrastructure and residential improvements.

Sustainability abounds! Couzens was the first dorm in the U.S. designed to earn the ENERGY STAR, a national standard usually reserved for consumer products, and both buildings exceeded the University’s energy standard of 30% better than ASHRAE. Lighting was one of the keys to energy savings, yet instead of replacing historic fixtures, keen attention was paid to the preservation of the gothic style architecture, with energy efficient bulbs and wiring retrofit into existing fixtures.

Residence halls were transformed into state-of-the-art living facilities, with warm colors and furniture, and spa-like community bathrooms, all creating a home-like environment with the added element of promoting social interaction.