University of Minnesota Duluth - School of Business

Labovitz School of Business and Economics

Duluth, Minnesota

The Labovitz Building supports the university's mission to provide state-of-the-art business education with a focus on experiential learning, global perspectives and entrepreneurship. Our design acknowledges the unique qualities of this hill campus including its open space, pattern of courtyards and informal gathering spaces. The building is strategically sited in the northwest quadrant with a commanding view of Lake Superior and creates a new inner quadrangle with links to an elaborate indoor campus-wide concourse system developed to protect the students from the harsh winters. The west wing spans across Kirby Drive at the third level, forming a new front door for the school and a literal gateway to the campus.

Spaces in the building are organized around a skylit concourse that connects all three levels and provides a collaborative, informal learning environment. Faculty offices occupy the third floor. Teaching spaces include distance learning classrooms, conference and seminar rooms, a 150-seat lecture hall and a new financial markets lab.