Manning collaborated as Architect of Record with Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects in the renovation and addition to the A. B. Freeman School of Business. The design merges the undergraduate and graduate business schools into a unified structure with over 90,000 square feet of space. The expansive three-story atrium is fronted by an undulating wall of glass, allowing the building interior to interact with the external campus, and acting as a beacon, drawing interest from visitors and passersby.

As part of Tulane’s mission to equip students as future leaders in the business world, the design supplies the spaces needed for real-world training, such as the Trading Center, designed to mirror a commercial trading floor. Other spaces include ten new classrooms, more than a dozen new student breakout areas, a career management center, and a 24/7 financial analysis lab.

The latest technology supports active-learning classrooms that may be easily reconfigured for daily learning objectives. Manning was responsible for FF&E in these flexible classrooms and throughout the facility. Manning’s efforts also helped the project achieve LEED Gold certification. Further, strategically developed construction documents, along with thorough construction administration observation, allowed the Business School to remain operational during construction. Manning’s careful management helped the building achieve goals for visibility, highest functionality, and continuous operations, all while meeting budget requirements. The project earned a 2019 AIA New Orleans Merit Award and an AIA Louisiana Merit Award.