UMN Tate Hall Renovation

THE PROJECT

Project Highlights

Addition and renovation to a 1926 building following guidelines of the National Register of Historic Places
Unique laboratory and acoustic requirements to consolidate two university programs into one building
5-story structural steel addition with bright, welcoming atrium and cantilevered feature stair

University of Minnesota John T. Tate Hall Renovation transforms the 1926 building and anchor of the Northrop Mall Historic District in the heart of the Twin Cities campus. The addition and renovation reimagines the 230,000-square-foot building into a new facility for the School of Physics and Astronomy and the School of Earth Sciences. In order to accommodate programmatic growth, a five-story addition connects to the existing building and provides a four-story, light-filled atrium, 30 research labs, 20 teaching labs, and ten classrooms. The project aimed to update the building for 21st century teaching and research while preserving the character of the historic building.

OUR IMPACT

EXPOSED TRUSS

and columns in the central atrium

FOUR ERAS

of major construction seamlessly integrated into new whole

LEARNING CAMPUS

for 2000+ students daily and 350+ faculty

Service Provided

Structural engineering

OUR SOLUTIONS

To accommodate the functions of the two university programs, 130,000 square feet of existing space was renovated to modernize the building while preserving its historic character. Antiquated auditoriums were demolished at the front and center of the building and replaced with a five-story structural steel addition which features a central atrium, two basement levels and a new entrance on the east side. A striking four-level, column-less, cantilevered feature stair serves as a vibrant hub in the central atrium and visually connects program areas. The renovation added new addition floors composed of composite metal deck formed concrete and restored and expanded the historic rooftop observatory for both student use and public stargazing. Guidelines of the National Register of Historic Places were followed for the repair and modernization of the exterior of the building, which included replacement of windows, tuck pointing, and replacement of damaged brick and limestone.