Montana State University Gianforte Hall

Gianforte Hall houses the School of Computing as well as Music Technology and Film & Photography programs to leverage creative synergies between these disciplines and drive creative innovation. A vibrant and welcoming hub, Gianforte Hall will bring together a diverse student population from across campus to engage with computing topics and programming. Instructional spaces will include classrooms, computing and robotics labs, as well as recording, mixing, and post-production studios that showcase student projects and research.

In collaboration with Hennebery Eddy Architects

Collaboration and social spaces are organized along the southern perimeter of the building, leveraging natural daylight and broad views of the mountain landscape beyond. A variety of interdisciplinary spaces, with diverse acoustic and visual experiences, are distributed along these arteries. Multi-level spaces connect floors, allowing energy and activity to flow between levels.

Using a material palette inspired by the Montana landscape, interior spaces feel soothing and welcoming. As Montana State University’s first mass timber structure, students will feel embraced by the warmth of Douglas Fir timber throughout the building, where the wood structure remains largely exposed. The biophilic interior color pallete combined with exposed mass timber and daylight in every space creates optimal learning environments for students to thrive.

Mass Timber

The mass timber is primarily sourced from Montana forests to support regional economic development and to reinforce a sense of place—resonating with the land and the community that made it possible. As a pilot project for the Climate Smart Wood Group’s wood transparency specifications, the project has successfully promoted a more transparent wood-supply chain in Montana and beyond.

Gianforte Hall will be nestled within a new campus landscape on a previously developed site. The revamped site restores native plant species, intoduces bioswales, and accommodates a variety of outdoor instructional and social spaces, encouraging students and faculty to engage with the outdoors. Inspired by the interplay between varied Montana landscapes and the diverse world of computing, Gianforte Hall fosters a warm and inviting atmosphere for students to engage with peers and faculty.

Mass Timber

Construction Process

Construction progress on the southeast approach of Gianforte Hall.
A hybrid mass-timber and steel structure addresses the seismic challenges of the region.
Students will feel embraced by the warmth of Douglas Fir timber throughout.
The wood structure remains largely exposed.