Home to Marquette University’s Law School, the design of Eckstein Hall uses its glass façade to create a striking sense of openness, making the building’s academic and social activities visible to the public, while structural columns and a brick base convey permanence and stature. The design integrates a prominently sited law library and two-story reading room with classrooms, courtrooms, faculty offices, and collaboration spaces, forming a complete learning environment. These spaces are organized around a multi-story central forum, which hosts the building’s several thousand annual visitors as it serves as a hub for statewide legal and university events. Described by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as, “Milwaukee’s public square,” the forum reinforces the University’s role as a prominent civic gathering place.

Amenities such as a café and fitness center support a holistic student experience, while the building’s position as a new campus gateway advances Marquette’s aspiration to rank among the nation’s leading law schools. Together, these elements create a forward-thinking environment that unites architectural elegance, openness, and innovation to reflect the evolving role of legal education in society.