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Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies Building

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            Facing Ingalls Mall, this beautiful building constructed of Indiana limestone and granite was given to the university through an endowment from Horace H. Rackham and Mary A. Rackham.[56]  As the name of the building states, it houses the general activities of the Graduate School.

            Construction on the school was begun in May of 1936, and completed in the summer of 1938.  It was designed by Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls and cost $2,500,000 including equipment.[56]  The front of the building looks directly down Ingalls Mall (formerly Ingalls Street) at the University Library.  The upper exterior walls are made of Indiana limestone with the base and front terrace and steps made of granite.  The sloping roof is constructed of copper and the window and door frames are made of bronze.[56] 

            The interior on the first floor of the building features a large entrance hall which has a decorative slate floors and wall painted in vibrant colors.[56]  At the back are three doorways that lead into another lobby which then enters into a massive 1200 seat lecture hall.  It has a beautiful art deco ceiling, plush seating, and wide aisles between rows.[22]   The two noticeable wings, assessable from either side of the entrance hall contained offices on one end and the administrative wing on the other.

            The second floor has elaborately furnished lounges, studies, and lecture halls.  These rooms are connected by corridors that meet at a grand circular foyer.  The hallways are faced in dark red terra-cotta and travertine stone.[56] 

            The third floor isn’t as a large as the lower to, but contains an amphitheater for 250 people, an assembly room, and conference rooms.[56]

            The school also features underground parking in the basement which is accessible from Huron street.  The addition of underground parking is especially beneficial today since available parking is difficult to find in Ann Arbor.

            The Horace H. Rackham School recently received infrastructure upgrades in its network and electronic systems as well as minor restoration in several of the rooms and halls throughout the building.[22]

 

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