The University of Wisconsin-Madison has officially opened Morgridge Hall, a striking new $267 million, 343,000-square-foot facility that now serves as the central hub for the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences (CDIS).

For students like Trinity Krohn, a double major in computer sciences and data science, the building marks a major shift. Krohn, who previously had to rush across campus between classes, said having a central home for CDIS programs is transformative. “When I first initially walked in, my impression was, ‘Wow.’ Because it's so different from the original (computer sciences) school, and it's very modern.”

Rising at the corner of University Avenue and North Orchard Street, the seven-story structure—with an additional underground level—brings together CDIS’s three departments for the first time: computer sciences, statistics, and the Information School. The facility also houses the Data Science Institute, the Center for High Throughput Computing, and part of the Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics.

CDIS has seen rapid growth since its creation in 2019, with enrollment soaring to more than 6,300 students. The new facility more than doubles classroom capacity, allowing the university to meet growing demand while fostering collaboration across disciplines.

Shannon Timm, director of advancement for CDIS, said the design was intentional. “Those disciplines are ones that have a lot of crossover, a lot of collaboration between them, which is kind of the reasoning of why they're all in this space together,” Timm explained. “We designed this building to be very welcoming, to be very inviting, to be very collaborative.”

The building offers 13 classrooms, including the 320-seat “Hello, World!” auditorium, a nod to the first program most computer science students learn to write. A second-floor space for students—named after former Chancellor Rebecca Blank, who passed away in 2023—is affectionately called “The Blank Space.” The floor includes lounges for both undergraduates and graduates, advising offices, study areas, and rooms for tutoring and student organizations.

The design emphasizes openness and light, with natural sunlight pouring in through a geometric skylight and greenery walls placed throughout. Cafés, quiet study areas, and collaborative lounges reflect the dual mission of fostering innovation while supporting student well-being.

Still, some students raised concerns about accessibility. “I'm a person who has autism and ADHD and all of these spaces, I just go and I feel overwhelmed,” said Ph.D. student Srijan Pandey, who studies human interaction with artificial intelligence. Timm responded that quiet study areas and bookable rooms were added to balance collaborative spaces with individual needs.

Sustainability was also central to the project. According to CDIS, Morgridge Hall is the most sustainable academic facility on campus, featuring rooftop solar panels, a stormwater capture system, and native Wisconsin plants integrated into the landscaping and green walls.

The building is named in honor of alumni John and Tashia Morgridge, who donated $140 million toward the project, making it the largest privately funded building in UW-Madison’s history.

For many students, the new space is not only functional but inspiring. Senior Shona Acquaye, majoring in information science, praised the building’s design: “We designed this building to be very welcoming, to be very inviting, to be very collaborative.”

Even students outside the CDIS programs are drawn to it. Psychology and Spanish major Prior Turnmeyer visited the rooftop terrace during opening week just to take in the views. “I think it’s really cool. … It’s a beautiful building,” he said.

With cutting-edge classrooms, collaborative spaces, and a strong focus on sustainability, Morgridge Hall represents more than just a new building—it is a symbol of UW-Madison’s commitment to educating the next generation of computer scientists, data analysts, and innovators in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Originally reported by Becky Jacobs in Cap Times.