Sill Hall

Eastern Michigan University sought to transform Sill Hall into a dynamic hub for engineering education, aligning with 21st-century pedagogies and the university’s vision for growing its mechanical and electrical engineering programs. Recognizing that the existing building and its teaching spaces had reached the end of their useful lives, the renovation retained only the concrete structure while completely reimagining the interior. A new south addition further expands its capabilities, creating a cutting-edge learning environment designed to evolve with the needs of students and faculty.

The reconfigured facility prioritizes adaptability, ensuring that new classrooms and teaching labs can accommodate a range of engineering disciplines. Each lab is designed for maximum flexibility while still supporting specialized activities such as circuit soldering and fluid dynamics experiments. This forward-thinking approach allows the space to grow alongside expanding academic programs, ensuring long-term relevance and functionality.

Previously, Sill Hall was instructor-focused, with faculty offices tucked away and every available space dedicated to labs and classrooms. The renovation reverses this model, placing students at the center of the design. Collaborative spaces such as study pods, breakout rooms, and a kitchenette are distributed throughout the building, fostering interaction and peer engagement. Faculty offices, once hidden from view, are now centrally located to promote accessibility and mentorship, while the Academic Advising suite is positioned adjacent to a spacious student commons in the new addition, reinforcing a culture of support and connection.

By blending cutting-edge facilities with a student-first approach, the new Sill Hall redefines engineering education at EMU, ensuring that students and faculty alike have the tools, spaces, and opportunities needed to innovate, collaborate, and succeed.