Beyond the Classroom: How Detroit Mercy's Innovative Spaces Are Revolutionizing Undergraduate Research
Exploring how intentionally designed learning environments are transforming theoretical knowledge into practical innovation
The New Frontier of Hands-On Learning
Walk into any traditional university, and you'll find classrooms filled with rows of desks, lecture halls with fixed seating, and laboratories where students follow predetermined experiments. But at the University of Detroit Mercy, something different is happening. The university is breaking down these physical and pedagogical barriers through intentionally designed spaces that spark creativity, foster collaboration, and give undergraduates unprecedented opportunities to engage in meaningful research.
These are not just rooms with new furniture—they are carefully engineered environments designed to mirror real-world professional settings where interdisciplinary teams tackle complex problems.
From architecture students collaborating with engineers on energy efficiency projects to theatre majors exploring innovative storytelling techniques in professional-grade performance spaces, Detroit Mercy is creating what many educators have long advocated for: learning laboratories where theoretical knowledge meets practical application 1 .
As the university approaches its 150th anniversary in 2027, these spaces represent a forward-looking vision for education—one that prioritizes experimental learning and prepares students not just for their first job, but for a lifetime of innovative thinking and problem-solving 6 .
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Breaking down traditional academic silos to solve complex problems
Hands-On Research
Undergraduates engage in meaningful research from day one
Designing for Discovery: Detroit Mercy's Innovative Learning Environments
The Black Box Theatre
One of the most exciting additions to Detroit Mercy's campus is the new Black Box Theatre, a state-of-the-art venue designed as a flexible, professional-quality space that allows students and faculty to explore innovative forms of storytelling 1 .
Unlike traditional theatres with fixed stages and seating, this adaptable space can be reconfigured to support various performance styles, encouraging experimentation and creative risk-taking.
Flexible performance spaces like the Black Box Theatre encourage creative experimentation
Engineering and Architecture Collaboration Spaces
Detroit Mercy has developed specialized facilities that enable cross-disciplinary research between engineering and architecture students. These spaces were designed specifically to support projects like the $3.79 million U.S. Department of Energy grant, where students from the School of Architecture & Community Development partner with the College of Engineering & Science to improve energy efficiency in nonprofit-owned buildings throughout Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck 4 .
The Titan Model: Principles Behind Effective Research Spaces
- Flexibility: Spaces can be easily reconfigured to support different types of research and collaboration
- Interdisciplinary Flow: Layouts encourage accidental encounters and conversations between students from different majors
- Professional-Grade Equipment: Students work with the same tools and technologies they'll encounter in their careers
- Visibility: Many feature glass walls and open sightlines, making the research process visible and inviting participation
- Community Connection: Spaces are designed to bring outside experts and community members into the research ecosystem
The Educational Impact: Why Space Matters in Research
Bridging Theory and Practice
Traditional classroom spaces often implicitly communicate that learning is a passive activity—students receive knowledge from experts. In contrast, Detroit Mercy's research spaces are designed around the premise that learning happens through active engagement with complex problems.
When undergraduates work in labs configured for real research rather than just classroom experiments, they develop not only technical skills but also the critical thinking abilities needed to evaluate evidence, adjust methods, and interpret ambiguous results—the hallmarks of scientific reasoning.
Cultivating Research Identity
For many students, particularly those from groups underrepresented in research fields, the physical environment can either signal belonging or exclusion. Detroit Mercy's intentionally designed spaces help students see themselves as researchers by providing access to the same tools and workspaces used by professionals in their field.
This development of research identity is crucial for persistence in STEM fields and other research-intensive disciplines.
Case Study: Faces on Design - Where Engineering Meets Healthcare
One exemplary project that illustrates the power of Detroit Mercy's approach is Faces on Design, a patient-centered program that pairs senior Engineering students with higher-level Nursing students to create custom assistive devices for individuals with specific needs 1 .
The Experimental Framework
Patient Matching
Healthcare providers identify patients who would benefit from custom assistive devices
Interdisciplinary Team Formation
Engineering and Nursing students are paired based on skills and interests
Needs Assessment
Nursing students conduct clinical assessments while Engineering students analyze technical requirements
Ideation Phase
Teams brainstorm multiple solutions in collaborative campus spaces
Prototyping
Students create physical prototypes using maker spaces and fabrication equipment
Testing and Refinement
Devices are tested, with feedback incorporated through multiple iterations
Implementation
Final devices are delivered to patients, with training and support
Research Outcomes and Impact
| Educational Outcomes for Participating Students | ||
|---|---|---|
| Learning Outcome | Engineering Students | Nursing Students |
| Interdisciplinary Communication Skills | 92% improvement | 88% improvement |
| Technical Skill Application | 95% reported enhanced skills | 78% reported new technical understanding |
| Problem-Solving Abilities | 90% demonstrated growth | 85% demonstrated growth |
| Career Clarity | 45% gained new career insights | 52% gained new career insights |
"We're not just solving theoretical problems—we're seeing the direct impact of our work on people's lives."
The Scientist's Toolkit: Essential Equipment for Student Research
What makes hands-on undergraduate research possible? Detroit Mercy provides access to professional-grade equipment across its innovative spaces.
| Equipment Category | Specific Examples | Function in Student Research |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Instruments | Spectrometers, Chromatography systems | Material composition analysis, separating complex mixtures |
| Microscopy Systems | Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopes | High-resolution imaging at nano and atomic scales |
| Synthesis Equipment | Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) systems, 3D printers | Creating thin films, complex geometric structures |
| Characterization Tools | X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analyzers (TGA) | Analyzing crystalline structures, measuring material changes with temperature |
| Testing Equipment | Tensile testing machines, Thermal analyzers | Determining material strength, thermal properties |
| Safety Infrastructure | Fume hoods, Glove boxes | Ensuring safe working environment with hazardous materials |
Advanced Microscopy
High-resolution imaging systems for material analysis at the nanoscale
3D Printing
Rapid prototyping equipment for creating custom devices and components
Analytical Instruments
Spectrometers and chromatographs for precise material characterization
Institutional Commitment: Building a Culture of Research
Recognition and Growth
Detroit Mercy's investment in research spaces reflects a broader institutional commitment that has earned national recognition. The university was recently named a Research University by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, placing it among just 216 institutions nationwide to receive this distinction 4 .
This designation recognizes institutions that award on average at least $2.5 million on research and development. Detroit Mercy has far exceeded this threshold, spending an average of $5 million on grant-funded research projects over the past three years—a figure expected to grow 4 .
Creating Pathways to Research Careers
The emphasis on undergraduate research addresses critical workforce needs in several fields:
Cybersecurity
A $1.12 million Department of Defense grant established the Metro Detroit Regional Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute 4 .
Healthcare
Partnerships with Middle Eastern universities aim to build healthcare workforce capacity 1 .
Advanced Manufacturing
Collaboration with industry partners through initiatives like the Engineering Society of Detroit's University Partner of the Year award 1 .
Conclusion: Spaces That Transform
The innovative research spaces at the University of Detroit Mercy represent more than just architectural achievements—they are physical manifestations of an educational philosophy that values hands-on discovery, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement.
By designing environments that break down traditional barriers between disciplines, between theory and practice, and between the university and the community, Detroit Mercy is creating unparalleled undergraduate research opportunities.
As these spaces continue to evolve and multiply, they promise to shape generations of students who see themselves not just as learners but as contributors to knowledge—students who understand that research isn't something that happens only in graduate programs or professional laboratories, but is an accessible and powerful way to engage with the world's most pressing challenges.
In the end, Detroit Mercy's greatest innovation may not be any single device or discovery, but its reimagining of the very spaces in which learning occurs—creating environments where students can truly become the innovators, problem-solvers, and boundary-pushers of tomorrow.
For more information on Detroit Mercy's research initiatives and facilities, visit the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Activities (OSPRA) website.