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.
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.
A rendering of the atrium from the first floor southwest entrance for the Connecting Carlson project.
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.
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.
A rendering of the atrium from the first floor southwest entrance for the Connecting Carlson project.
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. Some classroom and study spaces on the lower, first, and second floors will be revitalized, including a new Enterprise Lab suite and a larger Analytics Lab space on the first floor.

Connecting Carlson is estimated to cost $40 million, which will be funded by philanthropic sources. As of November 10, donor gifts of $24 million have been committed to the project.  The University will provide financing to move the project forward as the remaining funds are secured.

A definite construction timeline is still being finalized. The project will occur in phases, which means some parts will be completed before others. Given the current project scope and understanding, the plan is to start construction in December 2024 and complete construction in Fall 2026.

Read more Frequently Asked Questions.

Stay Connected

If you have questions about the Connecting Carlson project, please contact csom@umn.edu.