EMU’s Art Department. “Wayne and I previously


worked together on some projects,” DeHoog says. “When he mentioned the Ecology Center job, we thought it would be great to get Eastern students involved in the furniture design.” DeHoog presented the


Reclaimed Modern W


Students recycle building materials into fab furniture


hen Ann Arbor’s Ecology Center outgrew its offices


last winter, it looked to EMU faculty and students for ways to create a new work environment using sustainable materials. While the nonprofit


environmental research and


advocacy organization planned its move to the Handicraft Building in downtown Ann Arbor, project architect Wayne Appleyard of Sunstructures Architecture contacted John DeHoog, a furniture design instructor in


project to his Introduction to Furniture Design class during the winter 2010 semester. Appleyard and center staff shared details about workspace needs with the students, who created several small-scale workstation models. The designs called for using reclaimed materials to help the center apply for LEED Gold status. “Our goal was to create


workstations using as much recycled material as possible,” DeHoog says. While gutting the Handicraft


Building, crews saved the excess lumber and metal from sprinkler piping for the new workstations. The students created 10, two-


sided wooden tables supported by metal legs. A frosted-glass screen gives workers privacy and soft light. An adjacent bulletin board provides space for memos. A small gap between the smoothly finished tabletop and glass leaves room for computer cords. In addition to the


workstations, the students created an entry desk and screen as well as a conference table, bench and other details to unify the office space. The class also used environmentally friendly and non-toxic glues, paints and topcoats. The furniture installation was completed last June. “The students dealt with the challenges of a real-world project, complete with deadlines, budgets and client needs,” says DeHoog, who hopes to develop future collaborative projects for


his design students. 3 —Leah Shutes, with Jeff Samoray


Buddy Bing!


Detroit Mayor Dave Bing visited with the men’s basketball team and new Head Coach Rob Murphy (left) in September. Both have Detroit and Syracuse ties. Bing was an All-American at Syracuse before graduating in 1966 and getting drafted by the Detroit Pistons. Murphy hails from Detroit (Mumford H.S.) and spent seven seasons as an assistant coach at Syracuse before landing the EMU head job.


Eastern | WINTER 2012 11


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