Education

A.B. Freeman School of Business is comprised of two buildings, Goldring/Woldernberg Hall I and Hall II, located on McAlister Drive, a busy pedestrian path in the heart of Tulane University’s campus. Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects’ design unifies the two buildings into one academic complex with a new 4,180 square meter (45,000 square feet) four-story addition and a 3,716 square meter (40,000 square feet) renovation of a classroom, two auditoriums, and two lecture halls.

Inspired by Tulane’s mascot, the Wave, and with respect to the large oak trees lining McAlister Drive, the scalloped pattern of the four-story glass curtain wall entrance activates, and at night illuminates, both the outside courtyard and central atrium inside, becoming a vibrant gathering place for students throughout the day and evening. Openness and transparency permeate PCPA’s design, with two multilevel  glass, drum-shaped classrooms situated at opposite ends of the 3-story atrium, accessible by ramps. Flexible classrooms, an incubator space for student start-ups, expanded breakout stations, a new financial analysis lab, and administrative offices are enclosed with glass doors, emphasizing visibility and approachability to enhance community learning and collaboration.