Advanced Technology Education Center

Wayne State University’s new Advanced Technology Education Center (ATEC) was built to equip an emerging workforce and cultivate new talent and economic opportunities in the greater Detroit area. NORR’s design team used 80% of the original steel structure of an existing 1970s-era grocery store and transformed it into a technology-infused modern school building for up to 900 students.

A curtain wall system wraps the building’s exterior in a mix of industrial-style corrugated and smooth paneling. The light-filled lobby has pockets of specialized spaces elegantly designed for socializing, studying, informal gatherings and non-traditional learning. A pedestrian walkway links to one of the university’s partner schools, Macomb Community College, emphasizing the partnership between the two campuses and making it easier for students to travel between both. Our designs for HVAC and lighting systems, which are projected to use of 30% less energy than the current ASHRAE baseline, contributed to the building achieving LEED® Gold certification.