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West Quadrangle |
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West Quadrangle Courtyard (1950) Bentley Historical Library Photo: BL004647
West Quadrangle Today |
The
first portion of West Quadrangle to be constructed was the Allen-Rumsey House. This
building was in connection with the Michigan Union expansion, and designed by
the same architects: Lane, The expansion that would complete the entire quadrangle
was completed in 1940. It was funded
through the sale of bonds and the Public Works Administration. The building, along with its equipment cost
$1,836,041.[83]
When it was (nearly) completed, it had enough space for 818 men who
had to unfortunately live in a difficult environment since construction was
still in progress in the dining room and other parts of the building.[83] The architecture of West Quad is very similar to the
Michigan Union. The building is five
stories and has a red brick exterior with limestone trim. There are two inner courts separated by a
central section containing the dining rooms and kitchen.[83]
The most prominent entrance to the structure faces Like East Quad, West Quad housed war trainees in
preparation for World War II. The
building returned to full civilian use in 1946.[83] In 1954, increased enrollment of woman made it
necessary to provide space for them in Chicago House. The arrangement was only temporary, as the
new addition to Couzens Hall would open up space
for more women. It was met with some
opposition by the Today, West Quad is a coed dormitory. |
