Location
East Lansing, MI
Original Construction
1857
Construction Cost
$6,000,000
Size
12,074 square feet
Completion Date
2020

Cowles House is Michigan State University’s oldest standing building. Built in 1857, two years after the institution’s founding, it served as a faculty residence, official president’s residence, and a hub for student life and interaction with faculty.

By the 1900s the house transitioned to administrative use, which continued until 1941, when President John Hannah designated it once again as the official residence of the president, and implemented a major renovation, completed in 1949 by Architect Ralph R. Calder. The Mid-Century Modern movement was then in full bloom, with Michigan at its center. Not surprisingly, the renovation reflected the influence of what has come to be known as “Michigan Modern” design, transforming the house into a mix of historic Italianate and carefully executed modern styles.

In 2017, the University undertook a rehabilitation of the Cowles House to upgrade it as a first-class event venue. Cowles’ enduring history on the campus led the design team to treat the project as an historic rehabilitation, addressing programmatic and functional needs, while also celebrating the house’s connection to the “Michigan Modern” movement. Work included replacement of the 2002 Terrace Room, which had featured a tree enclosed in glass and open to the elements in the center of the room, making this entertainment space aesthetically and functionally awkward.

The new Terrace Room features natural materials such as wood and bluestone, and an abundance of natural light. Wood window walls screen the view of the outdoor terrace, and a ceiling of wood acoustic panels surrounds three skylights. A custom bar with decorative wood panels using the vocabulary of the Midcentury Modern era features a bar top crafted by the MSU Shadows Program from wood from the tree that was removed from the center of the room. The Terrace Room seamlessly integrates with a new dual-level exterior terrace, providing outdoor entertaining space and universal access to the historically significant garden. Supporting these areas are an expanded and updated kitchen, new accessible toilet rooms and dressing room. A new lift provides accessibility between the at-grade rear entry level and the first floor.

The project involved collaboration of modern and traditional Michigan designers, artists, and craftspeople. Herman Miller provided period-appropriate furniture, fabrics and lighting. Existing Pewabic tile fireplace surrounds and hearths were incorporated into renovated spaces and a new Pewabic tile mosaic, commemorating elements of Michigan State University, provides a focus of the Dining Room.

The rehabilitation of Cowles House preserves and revitalizes a building that has served and evolved with Michigan State University since its birth. After decades of changes, it is once again an elegant venue for important events as the official residence of the university president, a welcoming setting to receive distinguished visitors, and a place where the university community gathers to celebrate student, faculty, and staff accomplishments. The rehabilitated Cowles House connects with and celebrates its past, and with modern upgrades, looks to the future—and another 160 years of relevance.