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Completed in the fall of 2005, The Martha Miller Center symbolizes the academic excellence afforded by Hope College. Architecturally significant, this state-of-the-art facility makes an esthetic contribution to the campus and the community, while facilitating a growing curriculum.
The 49,100-square-foot, 2-story facility will be the hub of activity for communication arts at Hope College. The building is a major addition to the downtown campus and houses multiple programs: the departments of communication and of modern and classical languages, the offices of international education and multicultural life, and the new Center for Faithful Leadership program, which is currently under development.
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The departmental and program mix is viewed as highly complementary, with the goal being that their proximity to one another will lead to interaction and collaboration and an overall focus on global awareness and cultural understanding that will enhance Hope's work in preparing students for life after graduation. The collective virtue in the design also follows individual necessity: all four programs were in need of homes that matched both the way they have grown and contemporary instructional standards.
The building is named after the late Martha Miller, a member of the college's Class of 1924 who died on May 16, 1999, at age 96, in honor of an estate gift that she made. Miller, who was born in Danforth, Ill., moved to Holland with her family at age four and grew up in the city. She attended the University of Wisconsin in addition to Hope. All three of her children also attended the college, as did several of her grandchildren, with a great-grandchild enrolled currently.
Function, design and the latest technology were all incorporated in to the facility. The L-shaped building features two wings joined together by the rotunda, perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the building. The facility has a large array of amenities including seven classrooms, 38 offices, several lounges and workrooms, a kitchen, seminar rooms, a language lab, a computer lab and a television studio with four editing stations. The building is also home to the student radio station (WTHS, 89.9 FM) and the Anchor, Hope’s student newspaper.
Future technology changes and the surrounding community were also taken in to account with the design of the building. The recording studio, for example, required specialty flooring and footing because of the building’s proximity to railroad tracks. The studio is completely isolated and is separated from the ground as well as walls to minimize all sounds and vibrations that could create disruption.
Lakewood Construction, Holland, Michigan, was the construction management company on the $12 million dollar project, providing construction management and general contracting services.
“This is certainly a showcase facility for the college and the community,” said Jim Stroop, President of Lakewood. “Technology, excellent design, high quality materials and workmanship all contribute to a very functional facility that communicates both a sense of permanence and opportunity. This was truly a team project, and we consider it a privilege to have the Martha Miller Center in the Lakewood portfolio.”
In addition to a wide range of commercial construction, Lakewood continues to broaden its educational projects, having provided construction management services for Zeeland Public Schools, Holland Public Schools, and South Haven Public, among others.
Design Plus of Grand Rapids is the architect of record for the Martha Miller Center.
Visit the Lakewood Construction website, click here.
Contact Lakewood Construction for additional information, click here.
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