Revolutionizing Business School Design: Huntsman Hall at Utah State University

Revolutionizing Business School Design: The $50M Jon M. Huntsman Hall

Utah State University’s Huntsman School of Business has unveiled its latest project - the $50 million Jon M. Huntsman Hall. The project, designed by LMN Architects in collaboration with GSBS Architects, is a celebration of the School of Business’ team-based pedagogy. The 125,800 square feet building features a highly-transparent circulation and collaboration zone that connects two three-story brick classroom wings.

Gateway to the School: A Welcoming Statement to Visitors

Located on a main thoroughfare at the edge of the campus, Huntsman Hall serves as a gateway to the School, catalyzing interactions with business leaders and local entrepreneurs. Huntsman Hall creates a welcoming statement to visitors arriving on campus. The new building more than doubles the size of the Eccles Building with state-of-the-art classrooms, team rooms, and research centers designed to cultivate face-to-face, small group activity.

Nurturing Community: A Space for Interaction and Collaboration

The central, south-facing collaboration zone features a 315-foot-long window wall, providing expansive mountain views from the Cache Valley. The collaboration zone and the courtyard serve as exterior community spaces that are enjoyed throughout the year. The project's design promotes interaction and collaboration, as well as teamwork. It is a place for people to be involved with others, for active learning, and for promoting community, says Associate Dean Dave Patel.

Engaging Social Experience: Enriched by Its Relationship to the Surrounding Mountainous Landscape

Mark Reddington, FAIA, Design Partner, LMN, said: “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.” 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. The project targets LEED Silver certification.

In conclusion, the Jon M. Huntsman Hall at Utah State University’s Huntsman School of Business is a remarkable project that embodies the next evolution in business school design. The project is a celebration of the School of Business’ team-based pedagogy and promotes interaction, collaboration, and teamwork. The project's design creates a welcoming statement to visitors arriving on campus, and the central, south-facing collaboration zone and courtyard serve as exterior community spaces that are enjoyed throughout the year. The project targets LEED Silver certification.

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