University of Minnesota—St. Paul Campus Center

The St. Paul Campus Center will unify the former Student Center and Magrath Library into a vibrant, student-focused hub that streamlines services, encourages connection, and anchors campus life. Its central location improves circulation—linking green space to the south with the northern campus spine and eliminating detours across the elevated plaza. A planned transit stop on Buford Avenue supports multimodal access at the east entrance.

A new Gopher Way corridor will connect Learning and Environmental Sciences, the Gortner Ramp, and Ruttan Hall on a single accessible level. The surrounding landscape becomes a restorative outdoor extension of the building.

The project reduces total campus square footage, updates learning resources and student services, and highlights the St. Paul campus’s unique history and academic focus. Natural materials, transparency, and visible activity reflect the character of the campus. Glazed entry lanterns and bird-safe screening manage solar exposure while shaping a welcoming, recognizable identity.