Amidst the university landscape shaped by history and innovation, the University of Michigan’s North Campus holds a piece of architectural legacy forged by the famous Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen. In the early 1950s, the Board of Regents entrusted Saarinen with the ambitious task of drafting a plan for this campus north of the Huron River.
Saarinen, following in the footsteps of his father Eliel Saarinen, gained acclaim with designs such as the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport. His knack for midcentury modern furniture design also brought us the iconic Womb Chair and Tulip Chair for Knoll.
Though the ambitious blueprint for the North Campus was laid out by Saarinen, the execution faced fiscal challenges, resulting in only one building from his drawings reaching completion. The Earl V. Moore Building, initially known as the School of Music Building, stands as the sole testament to his vision, serving as a hub for the School of Music, Theatre & Dance.
The building is distinguished by its unique facade—some liken its vertical windows and horizontal brickwork to piano keys. Whether by design or serendipity, the structure seamlessly integrates with its wooded surroundings and reflects serenely in a nearby pond, providing an ideal environment for the music-focused studios, classrooms, and practice areas it houses.
In 1975, the building was christened in honor of Earl V. Moore, a notable figure in Michigan’s music history, who was a distinguished organist and educator with degrees from the university in 1912 and 1914. Moore’s tenure began in 1940, where he served as director and later as dean of the School of Music.
Despite his profound influence, Saarinen did not witness some of his iconic projects materialize. He passed away in 1961 at the age of 51 due to a brain tumor at University Hospital. Posthumously, his works like the Gateway Arch, completed in 1965, and the TWA Flight Center, unveiled in 1962, became monumental landmarks. The School of Music Building commenced construction in 1962 and was dedicated on December 16, 1964.
Over the decades, the Earl V. Moore Building has expanded, notably in 1985 and 2015. The facility now spans 143,000 square feet, incorporating rehearsal and performance spaces, studios, a music technology center, and a celebrated music library that serves as a resource for musicians and scholars alike.
— By Genevieve Monsma, The University Record. Parts of this piece were adapted from “A New Breed of Architect Arrived on Campus” by James Tobin, which appeared in “Our Michigan Spaces & Places,” published by the University of Michigan Press.
