PROJECT INFORMATION

The Northrop Auditorium is one of the main performing arts venues on the University of Minnesota campus to host graduations, plays, dance recitals, graduations, lectures, and public community forums. The auditorium was built in 1928 and named after the University’s second president, Cyrus Northrop. After years of continuous use the university board decided it was time to restore and renovate the old auditorium. The new renovations included a new design for the audience space which cut down seating in the main theatre to greatly improve sight range and acoustics. The newly freed-up space allowed for a second smaller theatre space as well as renovations to multiple offices for the University Honors Program, a backstage rehearsal studio, and a café on the main floor. Historic columns and arches were preserved, but the old 1940’s pedestrian bridges were redone to comply with current ADA code meaning that they are now longer, less steep, and have built-in heating elements to prevent ice in the winter.

SURFACES PROJECT SCOPE

MG McGrath’s surfaces team designed and engineered the custom perforated aluminum forestage screen on the interior of the auditorium. 6,000 square feet of these panels were installed with a white powder coated finish. For the exterior, MG McGrath fabricated and installed Centria wall panels. The new pedestrian bridges were clad by our team with 4mm stainless steel Reynobond panels and 22 gause brushed stainless steel diamond-shapen shingles

GLASS & GLAZING PROJECT SCOPE

MG McGrath’s glass and glazing team provided and installed A-Craft historical wood windows and an EFCO 5600 curtain wall system with a Sandstorm painted finish on the framing for the new auditorium exterior. Laminated glass was installed on the interior of the auditorium for the offices, lobbies, and doors, as well as sound control windows near the seating areas and mirrors for the bathrooms, dressing rooms, and warm-up areas