Hubbard Hall

In 2009 IDS was invited to participate in a project that would result in the renovation of four buildings on the campus of Michigan State University. The University wanted to make life easier for their first year students who lived on-campus. The basic goal was to create a model for student engagement within the common areas of the campus residence halls with a mandate that the space be exciting. IDS became involved in the project at a time when MSU realized their students were not taking advantage of many of the academic and non-academic services available to them because most were located up to a mile away from their dorm buildings.

The 37,800-square-foot renovation of Holden Hall—a seven-story building with over 1,200 students, started the process followed by Hubbard Hall—52,070-square-feet, 12 stories and 1,100 students. It was Hubbard which solidified the template for a world-class residential experience engaging students with vibrant spaces equipped with the latest high-tech tools and gadgets inviting all to meet, socialize, connect and grow.

This same student engagement model was then applied to the public spaces in McDonel Hall and The Union building establishing a full campus paradigm shift in the way students functioned.

Today each building features colorful modern materials creating space where students want to hang out, where they can easily seek any of the University-provided enhanced benefits such as food venues, health & wellness services, financial aid support, academic support services and more. They can have a great meal in a comfortable dining area, grab a snack from Sparty’s café, study in a collaboration cube, or play video games all in the comfort of their own “home.” In Holden, the community kitchen is a special feature that allows students to prepare home-cooked meals and eat with their friends. Today this kitchen is in great demand with advance sign-up as the only way to get in. Technology was also an important element that helped define the social spaces. To get the students out of their rooms, flat panel monitors and A/V hookups were made available allowing them to bring their own gaming equipment and congregate rather than isolate.