UMN, Northrop Auditorium

THE PROJECT

Project Highlights

Preservation of historic Memorial Hall and other historic features from the original 1928 building
Complete interior renovation and re-purposing
New world-class performance auditorium

University of Minnesota, Northrop Auditorium Renovation repurposes the historic campus icon building as a hub for student activity, a cultural and performance center, and a convening place for creativity and innovation. With the building envelope newly restored during the project’s first phase, Phase II brought dramatic changes to the interior spaces. Early design phase activities included structurally evaluating over 12 iterations of the central theater program to support acoustic isolation, stage rigging, site line, mechanical performance, and vibration requirements.

OUR IMPACT

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

of a 1928 building

FAST-PACED

project schedule

EFFICIENT STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS

to manage cost

Service Provided

Structural engineering

TESTIMONIALS

“Far and away the most complicated structural project I have ever faced in my 30 years of commercial development. MBJ’s expertise is a significant reason why Northrop exceeded expectations.”

Michael Denny, Director of Development Services, University of Minnesota

OUR SOLUTIONS

While the project scope required an almost complete demolition of the interior auditorium space, the historic Memorial Hall was preserved and restored, and historic elements of the original 1928 building reused in the new spaces. The auditorium was reconstructed with new 90-foot-high concrete walls supporting 150-foot-long roof trusses, three new 25-foot cantilevered post-tensioned concrete balconies, a new post-tensioned concrete stage slab, reconstruction of parterre and orchestra level auditorium seating, and a new mechanical-electrical accessible ceiling. Horizontal and vertical expansions include five levels of new composite steel floor structure for lobby space between wing and auditorium spaces, 20,000 square feet to extend the stage and rehearsal space, and a recital hall. The 180,000-square-foot project was extremely complex and fast-paced, requiring above average construction tolerances and design flexibility because of several unforeseen conditions.

Project Details

Location:

Minneapolis, MN

Completed:

2014

Construction Cost:

Phase 1-$24,000,000 | Phase 2 – $75,000,000

Owner:

University of Minnesota

Architect:

HGA Architects and Engineers

Contractor:

JE Dunn Construction

Awards:

2009 Minneapolis Heritage Preservation; 2014 AIA Minnesota Honor Award, 2014 ACEC Minnesota Engineering Excellence Award; 2014 Minnesota Concrete Council Structural Design Award; 2019 SCUP/AIA-CAE Excellence in Architecture for Rehabilitation, Restoration or Preservation Merit Award