Location
East Lansing, MI
Original Construction
1889
Construction Cost
$4,800,000
Size
8,718 sqft; 2,731 sqft addition
Completion Date
2018
State Register of Historic Places

On the northeast side of the Michigan State University campus sits Cook Hall, one of the six buildings known as ‘Laboratory Row.’ As part of a restoration plan for the area, renovations to Cook Hall were recently completed.  The project’s goal was to help improve the quality and functionality of the office and support space for programs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources while preserving MSU’s heritage.

The six buildings of Laboratory Row are on the State Register of Historical Sites and were constructed between 1888 and 1909, with Cook Hall being completed in 1889.  A major renovation of Cook Hall was completed in 1949, and in 2010, the University renovated the building’s exterior. This latest project—the interior renovation and addition—upgraded the quality, accessibility, and functions of the building while preserving its historical character. Cook Hall now functions as a modern academic office building and is accessible to all users.

“The Cook Hall project is consistent with a comprehensive historical plan for the ‘Lab Row’. It will upgrade quality, accessibility and functions of the building while preserving the historical character,” said project manager Amr Abdel-Azim. "The universal design of the renovation and new addition will allow for all users to access and have modern use of this building”.

The renovations to Cook Hall included accessibility improvements to restrooms, installation of an elevator, internal alterations of offices and support spaces. Lighting, technological and heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades are parts of the renovations. As part of the project, the Electrical Design Team worked closely with the MSU I.T. Department, Public Safety Department and Fire Alarm Department to design the telephone / data, access control, security, video surveillance and A/V Systems that met the 21st Century needs of the facility, while at the same time respecting the 19th Century construction.