Original Construction
1859
Completion Date
2010
Size
1255 sqft
Awards
2015 AIA Huron Valley Honor Award
2015 AIA Michigan Honor Award

Built in 1859, Wing Lake Stone Schoolhouse originally consisted of a single 850-square-foot classroom designed with large windows to provide natural light and ventilation. An L-shaped, 400-square-foot addition was constructed in the 1930s to accommodate a new entrance, cloakroom, vestibule, and mechanical space, while a later addition from the 1950s was removed in 2008. Since closing as an elementary school in 1973, the schoolhouse has served as a unique educational resource within the Bloomfield School District, offering students an immersive experience of late-nineteenth-century school life and an opportunity to learn about the area's history. Following the removal of the 1950s addition, a community coalition comprising the Bloomfield School District, Bloomfield Historic Society, Bloomfield Township, and Oakland County formed to envision the building's continued use as both an educational resource and a valued community asset.

HopkinsBurns Design Studio was commissioned to develop a feasibility study and subsequent construction documents to guide the schoolhouse's restoration and adaptive rehabilitation. The feasibility study included measured drawings, annotated analysis drawings, community visioning workshops, schematic design, and cost estimates to establish a framework for the building's future. Construction documentation addressed the restoration of the historic exterior and original schoolroom, alongside the adaptive rehabilitation of the 1930s addition. Particular emphasis was placed on improving accessibility in accordance with ADA requirements, ensuring that the historic schoolhouse could continue serving students and welcoming members of the broader community while preserving its architectural character and educational significance.