The first building to be built in many years in the Michigan Boulevard Historic District, Spertus is characterized by a dynamically transparent glass front façade. Its contemporary design celebrates the organization’s culture and learning, hope and openness — a beacon of light for learning.  

Conceived of as a vertical campus, Spertus Institutes' 10-story building holds a 415-seat multi-use theater, college classrooms, a family and children’s center, administrative offices, Asher Library, and museum.  

The budget was tight and dictated the design in several ways: the façade was purchased before the design was complete — so coordination with the manufacturer determined the design of custom mullions and the glass structure. Providing this early kept the project on budget & schedule.  

Finish selections were minimized to a few essential types; painted drywall and concrete floors, to maintain the budget and allow for flexible uses between spaces. The finishes are eco-friendly, selected for durability, maintainability, and for user health and wellbeing.