Michigania, the University of Michigan Alumni Association's family camp located on Walloon Lake in Northern Michigan, approached the School of Architecture in need of a design for a new dining facility to operate primarily in the summer, but also year round. Two professors and five students were selected for an independent study, which required the development of a schematic design over the course of a four month period resulting in a design presentation to the board members of Michigania. This venture provided real client experience that required the consideration of real design and buildability issues not commonly found in an academic environment.