North Dakota State University

Sugihara Hall

Exterior view of Sugihara Hall.
A student study lounge with movable chairs and tables.
A typical Sugihara Hall corridor.
Exterior view of Sugihara Hall at dusk.
A conference room with green chairs and views of campus.
A student works in one of Sugihara Hall's labs.
A typical Sugihara Hall corridor and staircase.
Students work in one of Sugihara Hall's labs.
A typical lecture room in Sugihara Hall.
A typical Sugihara Hall lab.
Lab storage racks in Sugihara Hall.

North Dakota State University

Sugihara Hall

Fargo, N.D.

North Dakota State University’s new Sugihara Hall is a four-story laboratory intensive building that incorporates right-sized research labs with teaching labs, graduate student workspaces, classrooms, and a variety of student support and study spaces — all within an energy efficient design.

Entering the project with facility options, the team determined during programming the most effective solution was to create a new home for science teaching and research by replacing the existing Geosciences Building and Dunbar Hall on a site north of the hall. The new facility pairs advanced laboratory and research spaces with cross-departmental and campus connections to bridge academic interests and spur innovations with relevant research opportunities. The building includes more than 80 fume hoods, a new chemical storage room, proper chemical storage in the labs, and a new rock sample processing and storage. A backup generator protects sensitive research.

With connections to Memorial Union and Ladd Hall, the site of former Dunbar Hall has been transformed into a connective plaza in the heart of campus.

Designed in collaboration with architect of record, Zerr Berg Architects.

Size: 107,500 gross sq. ft.

Components: Right-sized research and teaching labs; graduate student workspaces and offices that can be accessed without entering the labs; student study spaces; connectors to nearby Halls

Completion: 2023