Construction is underway on Offerdahl Hall and the Richard Offerdahl ’65 Engineering Complex, a more than $100 million project set to open in Fall of 2026. The complex is designed to be the premier engineering educational facility in the upper Midwest. The construction project incudes the removal of the round former Engineering Administration building.
Crews have started work on a major construction project that will propel NDSU and the College of Engineering into the future and elevate the student experience. Removal of the former Engineering Administration building is underway, to be replaced by Offerdahl Hall and the Richard Offerdahl ’65 Engineering Complex.
The more than $100 million project is set to open in Fall of 2026 and is designed to be the premier engineering educational facility in the upper Midwest. State-of-the-art multi-purpose learning and research spaces that emphasize teamwork, communication and interdisciplinary collaboration will provide the resources necessary to meet evolving needs of both NDSU and industry.
“While the round engineering building has been an iconic part of campus for many years, we look forward to the exciting transformation that will take place with the new, state-of-the-art Richard Offerdahl ’65 Engineering Complex. Thanks to this investment, our graduates will lead the charge in multidisciplinary collaboration and problem solving to enter the state’s workforce prepared to excel,” said NDSU President David Cook.
Funding for the project includes a historic $25 million gift from Richard and Linda Offerdahl, $59 million in funding from the North Dakota Legislature and leadership gifts from Doosan Bobcat, Mortenson, Marvin, and numerous other benefactors. The Richard Offerdahl ’65 Engineering Complex will feature more than 100,000 square feet of new construction along with significant renovations to modernize and enhance current buildings.
“The Richard Offerdahl '65 Engineering Complex will give our students, faculty, and staff the resources they need to continue to excel at the highest level,” Alan Kallmeyer, interim dean of the College of Engineering, said. “This new, visionary facility will be a showcase for the University, highlighting the amazing work happening within the College and putting engineering on display.”
Offerdahl Hall features a student-focused design concept that is not just building for today, but transforming campus and the college for the future.
“I think we all can agree innovation is at the center of NDSU’s College of Engineering. Bison students, faculty and alumni are challenged to change the way that we think, the way that we interact and the way that things are done for the betterment of society,” said Paige Sanders, an NDSU environmental engineering student. “With the addition of new state-of-the-art labs, workshops and collaboration centers, we will be able to empower students to push the boundaries of what we know as engineers and the impact of our work will reach not only beyond the University, but beyond the state of North Dakota.”
Key spaces in the new Offerdahl Hall include:
Collaborative design studio
A lively communal makerspace that will spur hands-on learning, entrepreneurial activity and invite students from all program areas to work side-by-side, exchange ideas and find solutions to the industry’s most pressing needs.
The College Commons
A concentrated hub of creativity and discovery that will provide space for industry engagement, outreach activities, study groups, student organization meetings, tutoring and advising.
Flexible teaching and research labs
Designed to adapt to changing needs across the university and industry, this will offer students, faculty and staff multi-purpose, interactive spaces to explore and solve important societal problems in areas like artificial intelligence and data science, robotics, microelectronics, energy systems, precision agriculture and advanced materials.
Learn more about this historic project and follow the progress on the College of Engineering website and social media channels.
