Project Brief

In 2011, Western Michigan University, Bronson Hospital and Borgess Health came together to form the privately held WMU Homer Stryker MD Medical School. Focused on advancing the art and science of medical education, the new facility includes team-based, problembased and simulation-based learning environments aligned with an innovative organ-centered curriculum. Reflecting its Stryker namesake, one of the goals of the School is to become a leader in research of medical instrumentation. The simulation center, gross anatomy facilities, research labs and vivarium were designed to support that mission and be instrumental in attracting the brightest students and faculty. After searching for the perfect project site, which included urban and rural locations, it was decided to move into an existing 317,000 square foot, 8-story research facility in downtown Kalamazoo, MI. The decision to locate the new school of medicine in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo created a symbiotic connection with the downtown community, enhancing and further stimulating the revitalization of the business district.

There are many features that all work together to give the current facility human scale, creating an interactive connection to surrounding buildings and pedestrian level experience. The new 33,000 square foot 2-story addition and deconstruction of the first three levels has given the building human scale and introduced natural light deep into the core of the building. The new circulation core gives staff and students a sense of place, easily orienting themselves to their surroundings. Sustainability was foremost in the design of this facility, from the urban site, energy efficiency, use of daylight, use of reclaimed materials, support of mass transit and pedestrian transportation.