Project Priorities

Connecting Carlson targets core spaces within our school to promote greater student collaboration, elevate experiential learning opportunities, strengthen a sense of belonging, and enhance connections with the greater business community. These updates will bolster the Carlson School’s world-class education, providing a competitive edge for our students. The project prioritizes the following objectives:

  • Dramatically transform the Atrium for student use and outreach
  • Renovate Auditorium to improve the user experience
  • Highlight and improve Experiential Learning programs
  • Right-fit updated spaces to meet community needs

 

See the Space

The following renderings are up-to-date as of October 2023. Design choices, such as furniture, fabrics, finishes, and materials, are for placement only and are not final.
 

A rendering of the atrium from the second floor in the Connecting Carlson project.
A rendering of the atrium from the second floor.
A rendering of the second floor of the atrium looking west in the Connecting Carlson project.
A rendering of the atrium on the second floor looking west.
An aerial perspective of the atrium of the Connecting Carlson project.
A rendering of an aerial view of the atrium.
A rendering of the atrium looking west in the Connecting Carlson project.
A rendering of the atrium on the first floor looking west.
A rendering of the Enterprise Lab Suite for the Connecting Carlson project.
A rendering of the Enterprise lab suite on the first floor.
A rendering of the media wall in the atrium for the Connecting Carlson project.
A rendering of the media wall in the atrium on the first floor.
Rendering of Carlson School atrium
A rendering of the atrium on the first floor looking north from the southwest entrance.
A rendering of the atrium looking east in the Connecting Carlson project.
A rendering of the atrium on the first floor looking east.
A rendering of the updated auditorium for the Connecting Carlson project.
A rendering of the auditorium.
A rendering of the atrium from the second floor in the Connecting Carlson project.
A rendering of the atrium from the second floor.
A rendering of the second floor of the atrium looking west in the Connecting Carlson project.
A rendering of the atrium on the second floor looking west.
An aerial perspective of the atrium of the Connecting Carlson project.
A rendering of an aerial view of the atrium.
A rendering of the atrium looking west in the Connecting Carlson project.
A rendering of the atrium on the first floor looking west.
A rendering of the Enterprise Lab Suite for the Connecting Carlson project.
A rendering of the Enterprise lab suite on the first floor.
A rendering of the media wall in the atrium for the Connecting Carlson project.
A rendering of the media wall in the atrium on the first floor.
Rendering of Carlson School atrium
A rendering of the atrium on the first floor looking north from the southwest entrance.
A rendering of the atrium looking east in the Connecting Carlson project.
A rendering of the atrium on the first floor looking east.
A rendering of the updated auditorium for the Connecting Carlson project.
A rendering of the auditorium.

Frequently Asked Questions

The updates are focused on the core of the building, touching some of the school’s most prominent and frequently used spaces. This totals roughly 70,000 square feet (25% of the building’s total) and includes a transformation to the auditorium and atrium. Select classroom and study spaces on the lower, first, and second floors will be revitalized, including a new Enterprise Lab suite and a larger Carlson Analytics Lab space on the first floor. 

Connecting Carlson is estimated to cost $40 million, which will be funded solely by philanthropic sources. As of June 2024, donor gifts of $28.5 million have been committed to the project. The University will provide financing to move the project forward as the remaining funds are secured.

Construction will begin in December 2024 after classes are complete for the semester. Construction will occur in 11 phases, with some areas being completed earlier than others. All work is scheduled to be completed by Fall 2026. Here is a high-level overview of the phases and when certain areas of the building will be under construction:

  • Spring Semester 2025: Carlson Analytics Lab on the first floor, auditorium, lower level classrooms, atrium stairs, roof replacement
  • Summer 2025: Auditorium, atrium, roof work continues, new Enterprise suite on the first floor, breakout rooms, restrooms, lower level common areas
  • Fall 2025: Atrium and enterprise suite work continues, new kitchenette for the Master's Student Lounge
  • Spring - Summer 2026: Atrium work continues

Read more Frequently Asked Questions.

Stay Connected

If you have questions about the Connecting Carlson project, please contact [email protected].