The Edward Henry Kraus Building, designed by Albert Kahn and built in 1915, underwent extensive renovation and expansion to house the University of Michigan’s growing School of Kinesiology. The team of Ballinger and TMP Architecture's goal was to update an iconic campus building for research, including medical technologies, rapid prototyping, and new treatment modalities.

Out of respect to the original building, the University did not intend to change the exterior appearance significantly. An extensive masonry restoration required the recreation of many terracotta tiles and a new limestone-faced primary entry. This design included an infill of the existing courtyard where a multistory concrete structural tube was added to address modern code requirements. Additionally, an innovative, lightweight, EFTE air-supported skylight from Germany brings daylight and sky views to a new human-scaled atrium.

Upon entry, one is naturally drawn to the light-filled atrium. Functioning primarily as a group or individual study area, it can also house more formal gatherings with a change in furniture. The original building was noted for its innovative reinforced concrete structure allowing for a high window-to-wall ratio needed at the time to illuminate the former lab spaces. This theme was maintained in the renovation via the extensive use of interior glazing components to maximize views and access to daylight. The existing structure was reinforced with the addition of new steel and concrete structural systems to allow for longer spans to create larger more flexible interior spaces

The existing mass masonry construction did not allow for the addition of insulation, so great care was taken with selecting exterior glazing, minimizing air infiltration, and designing the water-based mechanical systems to achieve significant energy and cost savings. This work resulted in the building achieving LEED gold status.

While this building’s updates enhanced education for the School of Kinesiology students, its design has impacted a diverse group of UM students. It is at the heart of UM’s main campus with a new and proud, primary entrance at the Northwest corner of the Diag: a location filled with much symbolism and history.