Explore UW–Madison
Science Hall

Learning Spaces

From historic landmarks to state-of-the-art centers, the diversity of campus buildings represents decades of academic excellence—and offers an array of inspirational study spots.

exterior of agricultural hall

Henry Mall Historic District

A quiet corridor of stately buildings is actually buzzing with research activity from such disciplines as biogenetics, biotechnology, biochemistry, and nanotechnology. The imposing Agricultural Hall overlooks the mall, home to the UW’s second-largest school, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

Henry Mall

The Red Gym and Alumni Park

The Red Gym

One of the oldest and most recognizable buildings on campus, the fortress-like structure recalls a time when it served as, and was officially called, the University of Wisconsin Armory and Gymnasium.

The Red Gym on a snowy frost-covered day

Today the Red Gym is the center of activity for numerous student groups and services, including the Morgridge Center for Public Service and the Multicultural Student Center. Its exposed-brick interior with vaulted ceilings offers some of the most comfortable study spaces on campus.

Morgridge Center for Public Service

Multicultural Student Center

Reading room in the Wisconsin Historical Society

Libraries

More than 30 libraries span campus, providing millions of volumes of research documents and other significant holdings, from art and life sciences to engineering and physical sciences. Shown here is the Wisconsin Historical Society, a bright and beautiful study spot.

Interior shot of the law library with large curving window frame and Bascom Hill outside

The Law Library is home to the largest legal collection in Wisconsin, and the best view of Bascom Hill. It also offers spaces for private phone calls, study sessions, reservable seats at library tables, and accessible accommodations throughout.

Libraries

Exterior night shot of Hamel Music Center

Hamel Music Center

As gorgeous as it is functional, the Hamel Music Center is a hands-on learning lab for music students. Opening its doors in the fall of 2019, it is a sensational upgrade for enjoying musical performances of all kinds from the School of Music.

Members of the audience applaud at the end of a welcome and student collage concert, which was part of an opening weekend celebration, held in the Mead Witter Foundation Concert Hall inside the Hamel Music Center

The main concert hall seats more than 600 people. Its architectural details are both ornate and purposeful, serving up beauty and acoustic perfection. The facility includes sophisticated recording studios, rehearsal spaces, and recital halls.

Interior concert hall showing ceiling acoustic features

The recessed and projecting circular panels along the walls absorb and project sound back into the concert hall, as do two enormous concrete reverberation chambers that “float” overhead.

Mead Witter School of Music

Chazen lobby

The Chazen Museum of Art

Past the large, airy lobby and cozy café, you’ll find the second-largest collection of art in Wisconsin. Impressive exhibitions and inspired programming work to ensure that a broad audience has access and opportunity to engage with art in new and meaningful ways.

Woman looks through a book seated in circular lounge chair at the Chazen Museum of Art

Sprinkled throughout Chazen’s galleries are study nooks, a revolving selection of art, and delightful infusions of natural light and lake views. Keep roaming and you’ll find print and object study rooms, an auditorium, and an art library.

Chazen Museum of Art

Time lapse photo of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery at night

The Discovery Building

This modern facility houses two research institutes: the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery and the Morgridge Institute for Research. They share a common goal of supporting forward-thinking experimentation by exploring fundamental questions across many disciplines.

Wisconsin Institute for Discovery

Morgridge Institute for Research

Interior of the Town Center with trees and seating

The Town Center, located on the first floor, welcomes campus and community members to enjoy hands-on learning, vibrant study spaces, and more. Foliage-filled spaces invite students and scholars to immerse themselves in science and creativity.

The Discovery Building

Science Hall

Photo Credits

Science Hall : Bryce Richter

Agricultural Hall : Michael P. King/UW–Madison CALS

Red Gym (2) : Jeff Miller

Wisconsin Historical Society : Jeff Miller

Law Library : Andy Manis

Hamel Music Center (3) : Bryce Richter

Chazen Museum (2) : Sam Li

Discovery Building : Bryce Richter

Town Center : Andy Manis