Exterior of Nancy Nicholas Hall in the evening, with lamps and windows glowing.
News & Events

Innovation in Teaching & Celebrating Donors: Transforming the Second Floor

Details on construction to run February through August 2020

Innovation Lab: Fostering tomorrow’s breakthroughs

A successful learning environment for innovation fosters creativity and brings together groups of students and faculty to collaborate, exchange ideas, feel engaged, and be a part of a team.

Starting February 2020 construction on the new Innovation Lab will begin, transforming more than 2,000 square feet on the second floor of Nancy Nicholas Hall into a new, flexible, multipurpose space for student innovation, collaboration, group ideation, and design thinking.

Adjacent to the learning space will be a new donor expression unlike any other in SoHE or on the campus.

Ember Hall: Igniting the future

Since 1903 people in the School of Human Ecology have been propelled to find human-centered solutions for the great challenges of well-being for children, families, consumers, and communities.

Ember Hall is a covenant to the belief that through the generosity of people who share our vision, values, and commitment, the School of Human Ecology will remain a world-class institution within the University of Wisconsin.

Rendering of entrance to new Ember Hall

Timeline: February to August

The project is targeted for completion by August 2020. Robin’s Nest Café will remain open during construction, and the resulting space will include the same number of seats as the prior arrangement. The DoIT print shop is now relocated to the first floor, far east end of the building.

group photo of construction workers, assistant dean, and dean, at Ember Hall
For questions or more information contact:

Linda Zwicker, Senior Assistant Dean

lazwicker@wisc.edu, 608-265-5136