Pagemike@standardsmichigan.com, Author at Standards Michigan

The $7 Billion Stargate “Barn”

“Whatever It Is, I’m Against It”

America demands art deco data centers https://t.co/4POJMy6Lui pic.twitter.com/uoxMuN1rnD

— Nick Krosse (@nkrosse) April 30, 2026

Gallery: Graduation Commencement Speeches

“It is at leaving the college and entering the world that the education of youth begins…

It is less uniform than that of childhood but more dependent on chance, and doubtless more important.

The youth is then attacked by a greater number of sensations: all that surrounds him strikes him,

and strikes him forcibly.”

— Claude-Adrien Helvétius (A Treatise on Man)

Constructor University (formerly, Jacobs University Bremen Germany) Graduation Band: “Freebird”

Intercollegiate Studies Institute | What Makes the West Strong (Sir Roger Scruton)

The Common Cup

Michigan Central Summer Fall | Michigan Central Winter Spring

Home

Open every day since 2007: offering locally sourced coffee, teas, baked goods, and a welcoming space for studying or events. Across Linden Street from First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor, Angell Elementary School and footsteps away from Chi Omega and seven other sororities and fraternity houses on the oddly-shaped lot bounded by South University. Washtenaw and Hill Streets.

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Glen Paulsen Architect

The University Lutheran Chapel in Ann Arbor, Michigan was designed by architect Glen Paulsen in 1959; a local Ann Arbor architect known for his modernist work and close ties to the University of Michigan community. The chapel is one of his most celebrated designs and is widely regarded as an outstanding example of mid-20th-century ecclesiastical architecture in the Midwest. The dramatic hyperbolic-paraboloid roof and the integration of natural light through colored glass strips are signature elements of the building.

His work often emphasized clean lines, structural expression (e.g., exposed concrete and steel), and integration with natural surroundings, influenced by his time with Eero Saarinen and his teaching roles at the University of Michigan and Cranbrook Academy of Art. While the University Lutheran Chapel (1959) in Ann Arbor exemplifies his ecclesiastical modernism with its hyperbolic-paraboloid roof, below is a curated list of his other key projects, drawn from biographical records, architectural archives, and historical surveys. In the fullness of time his private practice from 1958 to 1969 morphed into TMP (Tarapata-MacMahon-Paulsen, 1969–1977).

Glen Paulsen Architect

The University Lutheran Chapel in Ann Arbor, Michigan was designed by architect Glen Paulsen in 1959; a local Ann Arbor architect known for his modernist work and close ties to the University of Michigan community. The chapel is one of his most celebrated designs and is widely regarded as an outstanding example of mid-20th-century ecclesiastical architecture in the Midwest. The dramatic hyperbolic-paraboloid roof and the integration of natural light through colored glass strips are signature elements of the building.

His work often emphasized clean lines, structural expression (e.g., exposed concrete and steel), and integration with natural surroundings, influenced by his time with Eero Saarinen and his teaching roles at the University of Michigan and Cranbrook Academy of Art. While the University Lutheran Chapel (1959) in Ann Arbor exemplifies his ecclesiastical modernism with its hyperbolic-paraboloid roof, below is a curated list of his other key projects, drawn from biographical records, architectural archives, and historical surveys. In the fullness of time his private practice from 1958 to 1969 morphed into TMP (Tarapata-MacMahon-Paulsen, 1969–1977).

Standards Michigan Coffee | Standards Michigan Chapels

Renovation Standards

“Attributes of the Architect” c. 1725 Jean-Baptiste Siméon
Princeton University Art Museum@PUArtMuseum
print(“Ædificare”)https://t.co/Ja2uGenSPr pic.twitter.com/Xs9fdzzdBY

— Standards Michigan (@StandardsMich) January 4, 2022

The key standards distinguishing building renovations (alterations, repairs, or rehabilitation) from new building construction primarily come from the model code stacks of the International Code Council, the National Fire Protection Association, ASHRAE International, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and the embedded product standards by ASTM International, Underwriters Laboratories and others we track routinely.

There are others, notably the FEMA “50 percent” rule informed by National Flood Insurance Program regulation applying to buildings in flood-prone areas. It governs renovation, repair, and improvement projects by defining “substantial improvement” or “substantial damage” as any work where costs equal or exceed 50% of the structure’s pre-improvement (or pre-damage) market value (excluding land value).

The “50 percent” rule does not exist in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations in the same way as FEMA’s flood-related 50% threshold for substantial improvement/damage. Instead, ADA alterations (under Title III for public accommodations and commercial facilities, and Title II for public entities) use a 20% disproportionate cost threshold for certain requirements.

Sustainability objectives also shape the scope of building renovation projects by expanding beyond basic repairs or cosmetic updates to encompass holistic, long-term performance improvements across environmental, economic, and social dimensions.

Today at the usual hour we will scan stabilized standards and track changes in process where possible. Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

Delta Upsilon Fraternity House (1331 Hill Street)

Delta Upsilon Home

Chartered in 1876, and having outgrown its home by the early 1900s, its alumni hired Detroit architect Albert Kahn for his earliest surviving non-industrial, non-commercial commissions. Kahn created a handsome 2½-story Tudor Revival building with half-timbered stucco exterior, slate roof, prominent gables. It pioneered the shift of fraternities to Hill Street, inspiring many others to follow. The house has been continuously occupied by the fraternity since completion—the oldest such in Ann Arbor. It earned National Register of Historic Places listing in 1995.

Delta Upsilon Fraternity, 1903/2012 | Ann Arbor District Library

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Albert Kahn at the University of Michigan

A Chronology of University of Michigan Buildings, 1840-2022

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Ring by Spring

The Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences at Colorado State University prepares students to enhance individual, family, and community well-being through an interdisciplinary curriculum. The program offers two concentrations: Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Interdisciplinary FCS. The Education concentration trains students to become licensed middle or high school teachers, meeting Colorado’s teaching licensure requirements and boasting high job placement rates.

The Interdisciplinary concentration provides a broad foundation for careers in areas like counseling, advocacy, or community services, focusing on skills such as resource management, nutrition, and interpersonal relationships. Students engage in hands-on learning, including internships and student teaching, and benefit from nationally recognized faculty and professional development opportunities. The curriculum covers topics like personal finance, family systems, and wellness, equipping graduates to address real-world challenges. CSU’s program is accredited by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, and students can pursue certification through the same organization.

“One of the Family” 1880 | Frederick George Cotman

With a focus on leadership and civic engagement, the FCS degree ensures graduates are ready to make meaningful societal impacts. Scholarships and flexible online options are available, enhancing accessibility.

Neil Brown Jr. married his prom date—they’ve been together for 30 years, married for 25, and have two sons. True high school sweethearts, now in their mid-40s. Get them on a marriage podcast! They fully embraced the idea that marrying early is leveling up not “settling down.” pic.twitter.com/HAnagFEaHA

— Anthony Bradley (@drantbradley) April 21, 2025

How couples met (1930-2024)

[🎞️ EEAGLI]pic.twitter.com/zXASAs0ow6

— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) March 4, 2026

The De-Population Bomb

MaternityMetrix

Neonatal Care Units

How to Make Baby Food

Late Night Breakfast

Campus vibe is high intensity academically, softened by spring beauty

and a sense of approaching transition.

It’s one of the most distinctive weeks of the academic year

—where pressure, optimism, and nostalgia all overlap.

Late Night Breakfast is a tradition where students take a break from studying

for final examinations and served breakfast by the Faculty and Staff.

Southwestern has reopened one of its most historic campus buildings after a $25M renovation, blending modern classrooms and gathering spaces with its original character.

Read more: https://t.co/WnIzADL8mg

— Southwestern University (@SouthwesternU) September 4, 2025

Southwestern University | Williamson County Texas

Southwestern University Consolidated Financial Statements June 2023 | $643.4M

Behind the Artifact: The Melville Compass

International Building Code Section 302 Group A-2 occupancy includes assembly uses intended for food and/or drink consumption

Facilities Management

Midnight Breakfast

Kitchens 300

ΒΙΒΛΙΟΘΗΚΕΣ

Artist Unknown / Image Source: Bilkent Üniversitesi Türkiye

“The health of our civilization, the depth of our awareness about the underpinnings of our culture

and our concern for the future can all be tested by how well we support our libraries.”

—Carl Sagan

The founding of many educational institutions throughout the world was marked with the building of a place of worship (LEARN MORE: See College & University Chapels). After the church the library was the second building. It seems likely that after the library the “Media Center” will emerge as the replacement facility category (occupancy classification) in building codes and standards. It will be difficult letting go of the memories and the ambiance of these places and spaces. Who does not have a favorite place in a favorite library?

The original University of Michigan advocacy enterprise presented structural engineering technical committees of the American Society of Civil Engineers with proposals to roll back the live loading criteria for “occupancies formerly known as libraries” — because stacks of books and paper filing cabinets were being replaced with laptop computers. Not only that, stacks of actual physical books in legacy libraries were being relocated off-site to slab-on-grade book warehouses leaving the space to be renovated as study areas or administrative offices.

Those proposals for Table 1607 of the International Building were rejected for lack of technical substantiation. Fair enough. Structural engineering is a fearsome art and you do not want to push too hard on the instincts of structural design professionals even though their risk-aversion instinct is raising cost for new media centers that are mis-characterized as “libraries”. Most standards developing committees are permitted to set their own criteria for technical substantiation. After the desire and obligation to design for public safety it is naive to discount their concern for the cost of professional liability insurance, however. There are times when you are willing to pay for another power of ten safety factor.

The International Building Code Code is deep into its 2021 revision and it appears that some correlation action with ASCE structural engineering codes might have occurred. Rather than risk inaccuracy, we will archive the technical details to the post linked at the bottom of this page. It is often necessary to do this when codes and standards relevant to a given education facility develop out of step with one another.

We will continue following other library-related concepts are listed (very) briefly below:

Book shelf depth specifications
Lighting power densities, more occupancy sensors and daylight responsive controls
Inclusion of libraries in the conditions under which education facilities are used as community storm shelters.
Metadata (CLICK HERE)

Operating experience, use pattern anecdotes, war stories and such are always gratefully received any day during our colloquia however direct participation in the ICC Code Development Process should always be a first choice. CLICK HERE to get started.

This is the library of the school where I work (it’s also my summer writing office). If I were in charge (which I should be) every kid in the land would have access to a library like this. 📚📚📚❤️ pic.twitter.com/Tb3GIO0zSt

— Annelise Gray (@AnneliseGray) August 16, 2023

The image criteria of our WordPress theme does not permit many images of college and university libraries to be shown fully dimensioned on sliders or widget galleries. We reproduce a few of the outsized images here and leave the complexities of financing, designing, building and maintaining of them in a safe and sustainable manner for another day. If you need specific information please refer to the links at the bottom on this, very long, page.

Click on any image for image credit and other information