Location: MSU – Bozeman, MT
Project Size: 31,300 SF
Completed: 2021

LEED Platinum Certification

​

American Indian Hall took shape on the eastern edge of MSU's Centennial Mall, the culmination of a project nearly two decades in the making — first proposed in 2004, sited the following year, and finally funded in full in 2018. Swank Enterprises was selected as the general contractor on the $20 million building, working from a design by ThinkOne Architecture, and construction breaking ground with a ground blessing ceremony in 2019.

​

The 31,317-square-foot building's circular form — designed with minimal straight walls to reflect Native architectural traditions — posed real construction challenges: Swank's team worked with custom curved structural insulated panels and glulam beams to form the building envelope, including the sculptural rooftop element evoking an eagle feather over the main gallery space. The build also integrated a geothermal heating and cooling system, a 62 kW rooftop solar array, high-performance glazing, and salvaged site timber repurposed for interior finishes and custom conference tables, along with gravel sourced from eight Montana tribal areas worked into the drum room floor.

​

Swank delivered the finished hall as planned for a grand opening on October 16, 2021, with occupancy following over the holiday break and classes beginning in early 2022.

​