University of Minnesota Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories Campus Center

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University of Minnesota Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories Campus Center

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University of Minnesota Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories Campus Center

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University of Minnesota Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories Campus Center

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University of Minnesota Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories Campus Center

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University of Minnesota Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories Campus Center

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New campus center for biological field station located within Minnesota’s oldest state park

The University of Minnesota sought to meet the challenge of creating a new campus center for its 100-year-old Itasca Biological Field Station and Laboratories, which would approach net zero energy consumption. Located within Minnesota’s oldest state park and at the headwaters of the Mississippi River, the new campus center contains three labs, an auditorium, and a library space. The design breaks the form of the building into three gable-roofed parts to match the scale of the existing campus buildings. Conservation strategies dramatically reduce energy needs, and a geothermal system and photovoltaic solar array on the roof offset energy used by the building with a goal of approaching net zero energy.

Client

University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences | Itasca Biological Station & Laboratories

Location

Itasca State Park, MN

Project Type

Nature Center | Educational Environment

Size

12,400 SF

Role

Architect | Interior Designer

Status

Complete