Learning Commons
A Building for the 21st Century
The 105,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Learning Commons will serve as the hub of faculty-student interactions, student-industry collaboration, flexible learning spaces, and the next century digital and physical library.
Construction Has Begun
Kettering University officially broke ground on Feb. 5, 2020. Announced at the groundbreaking, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has granted $12.5 million to Kettering University toward building the Learning Commons and intends to grant up to an additional $12.5 million based on the project’s progress.
Designed by globally renowned architectural firm Stantec, the open-concept, natural light Learning Commons is part of the University’s Boldly Forward strategic initiative campaign – the largest in Kettering’s history. The building project will be facilitated by Clark Construction of Lansing, Mich., and multiple Flint- community contractors and is expected to be completed by Spring 2022.
“This building is going to truly revolutionize this campus. It’s the kind of place where you can go and you can gather and you can stay. It will be the social and academic nexus of the campus.”
— Dr. Robert K. McMahan
A Building for the 21st Century
The 105,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Learning Commons will serve as the hub of faculty-student interactions, student-industry collaboration, flexible learning spaces, and the next century digital and physical library. Kettering is recognized internationally for its history of producing great leaders, and this distinctive new building will serve as a visual confirmation of Kettering’s commitment to remain a world leader on the technological stage – and, moreover, to lead that charge.
More Than a Building,
It’s a Transformational Experience.
The Learning Commons will synthesize every aspect of advanced technology and engagement into a connective, vibrant laboratory of living and learning. Building it is essential to the future of the University. The Campaign will help to make it a reality.
The building will feature flowing spaces infused with flexible, technology-enriched gathering areas that foster interdisciplinary collaboration any time, day or night. A reimagined library with open food court, as well as the more intimate Battenberg Café, will provide sustenance and networking opportunities among students, faculty and visitors.
“This campaign had to be more than a campaign; it had to be a transformational initiative for this University.”
— Gary Cowger
Virtually every space will be a writing surface, allowing ideas to flow freely, and inviting ad hoc study groups to form easily and seamlessly. The building itself will reflect its open and collaborative purpose, with limitless views, adaptable spaces and a 300-seat auditorium for more formal presentations and community events.
Everything will be anchored to the rest of the campus via the breathtaking Connector — a glass-enclosed causeway that features a knowledge market with mentors, and peer-to-peer support services, and an ever-changing art gallery.
Kettering University's Learning Commons donations total more than $44 million toward the $63 million goal.
| Funding Opportunities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name The Building | $25,000,000 | Kiva - FUNDED | $1,000,000 |
|
Connector |
$5,000,000 | Help Desk -FUNDED | $250,000 |
|
Atrium- FUNDED |
$2,500,000 | Auditorium Prefunction - FUNDED | $250,000 |
|
Design/Entrepreneur Lab |
$2,000,000 |
Knowledge Market - FUNDED |
$250,000 |
|
Amphitheater |
$1,250,000 |
Connector Commons - FUNDED |
$150,000 |
|
Art Gallery - FUNDED |
$1,000,000 |
Large Collaboration Space - FUNDED |
$100,000 |
| Cafe - FUNDED |
$1,000,000 |
Fabrication Lab |
$75,000 |
Funding Opportunities |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Auditorium - FUNDED |
$10,000,000 | Connector Terrace | $750,000 |
|
Corporate Commons |
$5,000,000 | Auditorium Prefunction - FUNDED | $250,000 |
|
Bistro |
$750,000 | Large Collaboration - FUNDED | $100,000 |
|
Courtyard |
$750,000 | Flexible Staff Suite | $50,000 |
Funding Opportunities |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Study Commons |
$1,500,000 |
Large Collaboration Space - FUNDED |
$100,000 |
|
Rooftop Terrace |
$1,500,000 | Large Collaboration Space - FUNDED | $100,000 |
|
Corporate Partner - FUNDED |
$1,000,000 |
Large Presentation - FUNDED |
$100,000 |
|
Media Commons |
$1,000,000 |
One Button Studio - FUNDED |
$75,000 |
|
Instructional Commons - FUNDED |
$1,000,000 |
D Space - FUNDED |
$75,000 |
|
Reading Room - FUNDED |
$250,000 |
Collaborative Niche |
$75,000 |
|
Support Hub |
$250,000 |
Collaboration Terrace - FUNDED |
$50,000 |
|
Media Kiosk - FUNDED |
$100,000 | ||
Funding Opportunities |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Instructional Commons |
$1,000,000 |
D Space - FUNDED |
$75,000 |
|
Corporate Partner |
$1,000,000 | D Space - FUNDED | $75,000 |
|
Media Commons |
$1,000,000 | D Space - FUNDED | $75,000 |
|
Study Commons |
$1,000,000 |
Collaborative Niche - FUNDED |
$50,000 |
|
Cantilever Conference Room - FUNDED |
$500,00 |
Collaboration Terrace - FUNDED |
$50,000 |
|
Media Kiosk - FUNDED |
$150,000 | Collaboration Terrace - FUNDED | $50,000 |
|
Large Collaboration Space - FUNDED |
$100,000 | Collaboration Terrace - FUNDED | $50,000 |
| Large Collaboration Space - FUNDED | $100,000 |
Guest Suite |
$50,000 |
|
Large Presentation |
$100,000 | ||