Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

University of Minnesota Pioneer Hall Design Wins Grand Award

  • 01/31/20

SAINT PAUL, MN – The University of Minnesota’s Pioneer Hall expansion and renovation project received a Grand Award at the recent American Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota’s 53rd Engineering Excellence Awards banquet.

TKDA, an employee-owned provider of engineering, architecture and planning services, led engineering and architecture design services on the project, collaborating with KWK Architects of St. Louis, the project design architect. The team transformed the 90-year-old Georgian Revival-style residence hall in the university’s Superblock district into 18 vibrant student communities while preserving a significant amount of the historic building’s exterior. McGough Construction was the construction manager at risk for the $104.5 million project.

University of Minnesota Pioneer Hall 640

The campus building design for the Pioneer Hall renovation created quality housing and supportive spaces and a dining area to enhance the first- and second-year student experience. Multipurpose and recreation rooms and a mix of study areas and social interaction spaces promote social engagement, one of the key factors in academic success and student retention, particularly among first-year students.

A newly constructed 850-seat dining area at street level accommodates all Superblock residents and is also open to the public. The number of beds increased from 693 on four floors to 756 beds on five floors. The overall building size increased by more than 40 percent.

The annual ACEC/MN gala recognizes engineering firms and their clients for successful projects that demonstrate ingenuity and a high level of accomplishment and that are of value to the community.

Featured

  • California District Debuts New High-School CTE Center

    The West Sonoma County Union High School District (WSCUHSD) in Sebastopol, Calif., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new CTE Center at Analy High School, according to a news release. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) for the facility’s design and GCCI for its construction, and funding came from local Measure A bond funds.

  • Western Kentucky University Breaks Ground on First Phase of $350M Student Housing Project

    Western Kentucky University (WKU) in Bowling Green, Ky., recently broke ground on the first phase of a $350-million student housing initiative, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Gilbane Development through a public-private partnership (P3) to replace aging residence halls and modernize on-campus living accommodations.

  • UPenn Announces Completion of New Veterinary Education Facility

    The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Penn., recently finished construction on an 11,800-square-foot veterinary education building, according to a news release. The Gail P. Riepe Center for Advanced Veterinary Education is the first dedicated classroom facility at the New Bolton Center, a large-animal hospital and campus about 35 miles west of the campus proper.

  • DLR Group Announces New Mid-Atlantic Higher Education Leader

    Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that it has promoted Principal Shawn Gaither, AIA, LEED AP, to the role of higher education leader in the Mid-Atlantic, according to a news release. Gaither has served with the firm for more than 20 years, most recently as the national higher education business development leader.