Northwestern Michigan College - Great Lakes Campus

Traverse City, MI

Mason Contractor: Edgar Boettcher Mason Contractor, Inc.
Architect: Cornerstone Architects Inc.

Project Description

This 72,000 sq. ft. waterfront facility is designed as two separate pavilions connected by a glass Exhibition Hall. The institutional west pavilion houses Fresh Water Studies and a Maritime Academy. A Culinary Arts School and Professional Development Center comprise a more refined east pavilion.

Masonry is a key design component. With battered walls, punched openings, and arched masonry entries, the building is reminiscent of turn of the century waterfront structures. The exterior 4" solid sand mold brick holds up against the harsh lakeshore. Load bearing masonry walls withstand the 90 mph wind load criteria. A brick-paved plaza extends from the street to the harbor through the glass Exhibition Hall.