Ninety meters of Brutalist concrete. That’s the Moos Health Sciences Tower. This imposing structure dominates the University of Minnesota campus. It’s a landmark. A giant.
Before you stands the Malcolm Moos Health Sciences Tower. More than just a building it’s a piece of history. Construction began in 1971. It was completed in 1974. Originally named Health Sciences Unit A it was renamed in 1983. It’s named for Malcolm Moos the university president from 1967 to 1974.
The Moos Tower houses labs and offices for the College of Dentistry. There’s even a Caribou Coffee. A study lounge is located inside for students. The Biomedical library entrance is also here. It’s the tallest building on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. Some say its design resembles a tooth. This is a nod to the College of Dentistry within. The Architects Collaborative Cerny and Associates HGA and Setter Leach and Lindstrom designed it. It’s a prime example of Brutalist architecture. Some love it. Others hate it.
A former IT worker shared stories of hidden service chutes and massive unused office spaces. Another employee described the basement’s drab interior. The pea gravel-pocked cement is everywhere. The fluorescent lighting and brown brick floors create a memorable experience. Yet from upper floors the views are breathtaking. They offer panoramic vistas of Minneapolis.
One blogger described the building as a “Hummer” a statement on its imposing scale. Another called it “Overbite Tower” a playful reference to its shape and the dentistry school. Some claim the building creates unique keyhole views when viewed from specific angles. Yet others warn of dangerous wind tunnels around the entrances. The building remains a topic of conversation a source of both admiration and criticism.
The Moos Health Sciences Tower stands tall. It’s a testament to the University’s history. It continues to serve its students and faculty. It’s a building that demands attention. It inspires reflection. It is part of the University of Minnesota’s identity. Moos Tower will likely continue to inspire debate and discussion for years to come.