Commercial Contracting Corporation (CCC) was selected by the University of Michigan to provide General Contracting Services for the William R. Murchie Science Building Expansion. The project allowed the University of Michigan’s Flint campus to respond to unique challenges created by a dramatically growing STEM program, a lack of flexible team-based learning spaces and a mostly non-traditional commuter student population. This unique space allows students to excel while also forming relationships with other students, faculty and building connections to the UM-Flint community and campus. These challenges were overcome by adding more than 61,000 square feet with a third wing to the Murchie building.

Building on a relationship formed through many years of successful work at the Ann Arbor campus, this was CCCs first project at the Flint campus. The project consisted of a four (4) story building expansion with an all glass lobby that floats below a cantilevered architecture to provide a safe, highly visible point of arrival. This grabs your attention at the gateway location to display the importance of science and STEM within the UM-Flint community.

The building helps the College of Engineering and College of Innovation and Technology lead student education by providing flexible solutions to educational, research and support spaces. The first floor machine shop area serves as the main building area for student projects and features computer controlled mills and lathes, welding areas, wood fabrication areas and a dedicated paint booth. Adjacent to this space is the design lab that offers students access to additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping with 3D printers capable of printing plastics, carbon fiber and metals. The building features multiple learning commons areas to promote synergies, innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration among students, faculty and staff. On floor four a research lab and Genesee Early College Lab allow for chemistry based research.