University of Minnesota Coffman Memorial Union

Historic Renovation and expansion
Coffman Memorial Union was built in 1939 as a place for students to study, relax, eat and gather. Designed to serve 14,000 students, Coffman was renovated in the 1970s to accommodate the growing University's 42,000 students. By the 1990s the building could no longer provide all that was needed to serve the University community.

To accomplish the University's design objectives, all existing HVAC and electrical systems, along with the interior architecture, was removed to expose the original 1939 concrete structure. Extensive repairs to the original structure were completed and removal and capsulization of contaminated materials were also required. The renovated student union contains a 24-hour computer lab, walk-up internet kiosks, a complete bookstore with coffee shop, satellite financial aid, student employment and registrar services, lounges and study space, a food court, second-run theater and expanded student organization office space.