United Brotherhood of Carpenters

MRCC Exterior Full Res MRCC Exterior MRCC Exterior MRCC Exterior MRCC Reception MRCC Reception MRCC Marketing Room MRCC Entry MRCC Conference Room MRCC Hallway MRCC Breakroom MRCC Welding MRCC Carpenters MRCC Welding MRCC Detail MRCC Detail MRCC Detail MRCC Office MRCC Meeting MRCC Entry MRCC Classroom
MRCC Union Hall and Apprentice Training Center

Award Winning Project

  • 2019 American Institute of Architects Southwest Michigan Honor Award

Design Program: 

Byce & Associates, Inc. provided Architectural, Interior Design, and Engineering Services for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters (MRCC) Union Hall and Apprentice Training Center in Wayland, Michigan. The new facility was constructed on an undeveloped parcel of property, where 12 of the existing 19 acres was developed, with the remaining 7 acres reserved for future development. The project consists of two wings separated by a central entry gallery.

The Training Center Wing is a 148’ x 270’ x 40’ conventionally steel framed building with insulated metal panel façade and membrane roof over insulation and steel deck. The Training Center features a 4,200 s.f. welding lab, 30’ wide bridge crane (12 ton), and 12,000 s.f. mezzanine with classrooms beneath.

The Union Hall Wing is approximately 80’ x 130’ x 15’ conventionally steel framed building clad with architectural composite metal panels. Exterior wall infill and interior walls are light gage metal framing, and the interior incorporates standard corporate office level finishes.

The Entry Gallery and featured Large Meeting Hall are a timber framed, glass clad structure approximately 25’ in height and feature polished concrete floors in the corridors, and specialty lighting. The large meeting hall has a folding partition wall with a high NRC rating, and is equipped for multi-media presentations and business fair events.

The mechanical system at Union Hall is comprised of boiler feeding vav boxes with air handlers. A snow melt system was also incorporated at the entries to the facility. To meet and exceed code requirements, the buildings envelope is 20% above code for thermal efficiency.

Design Challenges:

The building was to be constructed between 3 wetland areas. The building was also constructed with 2 “fronts”, one being at the main entry and one looking out to US 131.

Project Partners:

More information on the MRCC Union Hall and Training Center: