Building showcases next evolution in business school design

SEATTLE, April 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — LMN Architects, a design practice known for creating impactful community-focused projects of all scales, today announced the opening of the new $50 million Jon M. Huntsman Hall at Utah State University’s Huntsman School of Business. The design, a collaboration between lead designers LMN Architects and architects of record GSBS Architects, celebrates the School of Business’ team-based pedagogy which supports a wide range of interactions, and fosters community with connections to the surrounding campus and landscape beyond. “The Jon M. Huntsman Hall is emblematic of our vision and values and promotes interaction just through its very design,” says Associate Dean Dave Patel. “It is a place for people to be involved with others, for active learning, for interaction, collaboration, for teamwork. It is a space that promotes community.”

Located at the edge of campus on a main thoroughfare, Huntsman Hall creates a gateway to the School, catalyzing interactions with business leaders and local entrepreneurs while creating a welcoming statement to visitors arriving on campus. The new building is composed of two three-story brick classroom wings connected with a highly-transparent circulation and collaboration zone. The classroom wings form a central courtyard with the existing George S. Eccles Building (built in 1970). The central, south-facing collaboration zone features a 315-foot-long window wall, providing expansive mountain views from the Cache Valley. “We wanted to create an engaging social experience which contributes to the educational mission, enriched by its relationship to the surrounding mountainous landscape juxtaposed with the historic campus core.” Mark Reddington, FAIA, Design Partner, LMN.

The new building (125,800 sf, plus a 10,100 sf renovation of the Eccles building) more than doubles the size of the Eccles Building, seamlessly expanding the existing facility with state-of-the-art classrooms, team rooms, event spaces, and research centers. Large, glazed stairs, openings between floors, and views across the atrium and courtyard create visual connections throughout. Generous circulation spaces were designed to provide views to nature and natural light, seating for small groups, and eddies outside classrooms for informal conversations.

LMN’s in-house Tech Studio provided analysis to optimize the high-performance glazing and design of the brise-soleil that wraps the south-facing collaboration space. LEED Silver certification is targeted.

Project Team
LMN Architects (Design Architect)
GSBS (Architect of Record)
Reaveley Engineers (Structural)
Great Basin Engineers (Civil)
Colvin Engineers (Mechanical)
Ken Garner Engineering (Electrical / Lighting)
Acoustical Design Group (Acoustics / AV)
Spindler Corporation (General Contractor)

About LMN
Seattle-based LMN Architects specializes in the planning and design of significant public and private projects, including convention centers, cultural arts venues, education facilities, office buildings, multi-family residences, hospitality centers, mixed-use developments, and other urban environments that celebrate and enrich communities. The firm is the recipient of the 2016 American Institute of Architects Architecture Firm Award. www.LMNArchitects.com

For media inquiries contact:
Matt Anderson
matt@andersonstrategic.net