Overview

As the eightieth anniversary of Northrop Auditorium approached, this much-loved University of Minnesota icon was in need of extensive exterior restoration and upgrade to life safety systems. MBJ’s participation in this project started with a survey of its structural condition and exterior wall integrity and a review of its structural capacity. Exterior restoration work included tuck pointing, repair, and replacement of the exterior brick and stone work, reconstruction of the west canopy, and detachment of the east canopy from the historic stone work with supports to the foundation. The canopy designs needed to incorporate phased erection, which accommodated the placement of stone work over concealed column bases and the installation of historic cast iron columns over new steel columns. MBJ contributed to life safety upgrades by designing roof access stairs in the attic and house lighting above the historic plaster ceiling that fit within the historic confine of the building. In addition, support framing was added to the roof top mechanical well for the new back-up generator and to prepare for future cooling towers. MBJ is currently working on the second phase of this project, consisting of a complete interior renovation.