KALAMAZOO, MI -- Western Michigan University is taking a new approach to construction with the Golden Oaks residence hall.

The building uses mass timber as the primary building material instead of steel or concrete. When completed, the residence hall will be one of the largest mass timber buildings in Michigan at 270,000 square feet, a WMU representative said.

“Seeing the concept pictures of it as a lot of open wood, it makes it feel a lot more home-like than just a building,” said Luke Kritzman, president of the Western Student Association.

The dorm is on track to open in fall 2026 with a building cost of $110 million. A celebration to place a beam on the building, signed by students, was held on Thursday, Sept. 16.

Currently, Michigan State University’s STEM Teaching and Learning Fac

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