A Foundation in the Law: Celebrating 40 Years at Walter F. Mondale Hall

Final Design

In 1974, budget reductions led to a project redesign. Architect Leonard Parker took this opportunity to improve the building’s energy efficiency, and studied how the building could represent the Law School’s values. "Education," "Service," and "Justice" became the three cornerstones of the design. The faculty and library would represent “Education;” the Law School administration, the Public Defender’s Office, and the Legal Aid Clinics would represent ”Service;” and the courts housed in the new building would represent “Justice.” These three “paradigms of concern,” as Parker called them, would be united by an activity core which connected the Law School with the greater university. In regard to efficiency, Parker called for the use of a "green" roof and double-glazed reflective windows, increasing the building’s insulation as well as its exterior aesthetics. His lighting strategy also combined natural light penetration and individual task lighting to reduce electrical consumption.