ANN ARBOR - A 20-month renovation project by the building trades and the Christman Co. has restored Hill Auditorium on the University of Michigan campus to its original grandeur.

Designed by famed architect Albert Kahn and completed in 1913, the four-story Hill has undergone only one major renovation over the years, in 1949, which did more harm than good to the interior by whitewashing some of the original paint scheme and changing other architectural details.

"The renovation exceeded our expectations," said Eric Hill, vice president of Albert Kahn Associates, successor to the original Kahn firm which served as project architect for the renovation. "We appreciate the fine craftsmanship of the building trades people who worked on this project."

The University of Michigan showed off the $40 million renovation project at Hill Auditorium with a Jan. 8 open house. There were scant traces of the extensive construction activity that had taken place, which included a shelling of the interior and much exterior and underground work, too.

"The University and the community treasure Hill Auditorium, the site of so many memorable performances and rites of passage," U-M President Mary Sue Coleman said. "This project preserves the best of the original, conserves the building for the future and brightens this jewel of our cultural assets. I extend a most heartfelt invitation to the campus, and to the community, to join in celebrating this grand new chapter in the history of Hill."

Modernization work at the Hill has included:

• The addition of noise dampers and sealed doors to keep outside noise out of the auditorium. An inner lobby was added on the first level. With the introduction of the building's first air conditioning system, mechanical ventilation equipment was moved from the basement to an addition on the north side of the building to further quiet the auditorium.
• To improve barrier-free access, the building trades installed two new elevators, and seating for wheelchairs was increased from six to 38 spots. The alterations, including the new lobby, reduced the house capacity from 4,169 to 3,710.
• A sprinkler system and fire alarm system were installed, as were audiovisual systems, and the trades replaced performance lighting, house lighting, power and communications systems.
• The organ display pipes at the back of the stage have been restored to the gold bronze color of their first installation.

THE ORIGINAL WARM colors of the parabolic-shaped stage at the University of Michigan's Hill Auditorium were restored during this renovation. (U-M photo)

PAINTER Scott Kayser applies glazing atop gold leaf on the ceiling of the Hill Auditorium's lobby.

PULLING LIGHTING WIRE just below the Hill's stage are IBEW Local 252 electricians Rick Whitehead, Ryan Husse, Ron Nance, Russ Hammon and Andy Summers.