University of Wisconsin Stout | Wisconsin's Polytechnic University

The Memorial Student Center will provide welcoming gathering spaces for the campus and community, featuring high energy, bright colors and cozy, comfortable atmospheres.  Cutting-edge technology, flexibility and sustainability will meet the community's ever-changing needs.  The student center will foster spontaneous interaction, collaboration and learning among students, faculty, staff and the greater community.  It will be a destination to experience the arts, discuss ideas and embrace diversity, as well as a place to grow, socialize, study, eat and have fun.

The Memorial Student Center opened at its current location in 1985 and served the campus community well for 25 years. Over that time, the building had 32 million people enter its doors, hosting performances, conferences, meetings, weddings and more.  Eventually, building infrastructure systems began to show their age, the building décor became dated and the layout of the building ceased to meet the needs of today’s student body.

In 2006, a comprehensive feasibility study was completed and clearly showed the need for improved food, retail, event, meeting, lounge and student organization spaces within the student center. The study also concluded that students wanted more natural light and easier navigation into and around the building. A project planning committee was formed to analyze the study, make recommendations and develop a project vision statement.

In the fall of 2008, the Stout Student Association approved a resolution to fund the renovation and, in December 2008, the Board of Regents approved the inclusion of the renovation project in the 2009-2011 capital budget.

In late 2009, Frisbie Architects (River Falls, WI), in association with Mackey Mitchell Architects (St. Louis, MO), was hired to work on the project with the campus design committee. In January of 2011, Market & Johnson (general contractor), along with J.F. Ahern (HVAC, plumbing and fire protection) and Vinco, Inc. (electrical contractor), started the year-long effort to transform the Memorial Student Center.
Ready for the start of spring semester 2012, the Memorial Student Center has indeed undergone a stunning transformation. The renovation project has met, and in many ways exceeded, the goals laid out during the various stages of study and design.

New Additions!

• An inspiring front entrance serving as a welcoming beacon to the building.
• A fun and lively “backyard” entrance featuring an outdoor amphitheater.
• An open interior with a prominent grand staircase facilitating easy building navigation.
• Natural light flowing into the building from the east window wall, a skylight atrium, solar tubes and the stunning Overlook Lounge.
• Contemporary and flexible dining spaces, with a variety of food concepts, found on each level of the building.
• The Involvement Center showcasing opportunities for involvement and the work of student organizations.
• Conference and meeting room spaces well-appointed and right-sized with relevant technology available in each room.
• Infrastructure upgrades, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical/lighting and fire protection systems, bringing a new level of comfort, safety and energy efficiency to the building.
• More than 10,000 square feet of student lounge space throughout the building in a variety of forms and settings.

Sustainable practices

• Reuse of the bowling lanes
• Reuse of the Heritage Café wood
• 98% of the light fixtures are LED or fluorescent
• Concentrated use of recycled/sustainable materials, including the carpet, counter tops, fabrics and more
• Major HVAC upgrades – the former building had 10 air handling units and the renovated building has 5 air handling units with a 50% increase in fresh air intake
• Major electrical upgrades
• Plumbing upgrades
• Fire protection system upgrades, including a sprinkler system

Contact us: 715/232-2000