Stantec completed the Center for Virtual Learning at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.

Located in the west Michigan town of Big Rapids, Michigan, Ferris State University recognized a need to redefine their campus to accommodate a new type of learning: virtual.

A State of Michigan Capital Outlay project, the Center for Virtual Learning (CVL) provides a new 62,000 square-foot home for university-wide online, digital content creation and instruction. Once complete, the CVL will provide unique facilities and adaptable learning environments to facilitate current and unforeseen advances in virtual learning approaches and content. This includes the emerging and growing programs in eSports training and coaching, cyber security, and electronic criminal justice applications.

In early 2019, the Stantec team was selected to design and engineer a space that reflects the future of FSU and the CVL programs. Beginning on the exterior of the building and transcending through the doors are common themes, including the use of a binary materials language creating a pixelated, digital look and feel harkening to the movement and manipulation of data. Primarily consisting of black and white fixtures, pops of color are artfully displayed through classroom carpet, signage and breakout spaces, representing moments of discovery that will be realized throughout the future of this new facility.

The Center for Virtual Learning is set to complete construction and open to FSU students and faculty in 2023.

Design: Stantec
Photography: Jason Keen