This article was cowritten by Colleen McCormick and Lisa Nuñez
What if you had access to a space where full movie productions take shape, bands record their first tracks, and groundbreaking designs come to life? The Duderstadt Center on North Campus is just that—a hub of creativity and cutting-edge technology, open to faculty, staff, and students alike.
Members of the Michigan IT community recently toured the Duderstadt Center, getting a firsthand look at the resources available. Andrea Bolash, a member of the Promotions committee, talked about the parts that fascinated her. “Full movie production. It’s amazing. Very cool! The music studio? There have been actual bands that have come out of that and used that space. So interesting.”
The tour includes stops at the Groundworks Media Lab, Audio and Video Studios, Design Labs, the Fabrication Underground, and the Visualization Studio, among others. From high-end filmmaking to 3D printing, there’s something for every kind of tech enthusiast.
One of the most fascinating aspects that Andrea notes is the blend of old and new technology. “It’s old tech, right? The conversion rack. I have so much to convert from old VHS tapes. I have cassette tapes of my grandpa playing the saxophone that I’ve gotta save.”
For those looking to explore these spaces, the Duderstadt Center offers guided tours that provide a behind-the-scenes look at these incredible resources. Whether you’re an artist, engineer, researcher, or just curious about what’s possible, there’s inspiration at every turn.
Want to see it for yourself? Guided tours of the Duderstadt Center are available by request. Learn more or schedule your own visit by emailing dc-tours@umich.edu.
