Carleton chose to preserve and repurpose many architectural features of the historic Northfield Middle School at the intersection of Central Park, Carleton’s campus, and downtown Northfield. Entire sections of the original 1910 and 1934 structures were retained during the building’s transformation into the Weitz Center for Creativity.
The sustainable facility earned silver certification through the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.
Exterior brickwork has been preserved in interior hallways throughout the center.
Bleacher seating from the old middle school gymnasium now covers the center’s elevator shaft.
Much of the original woodwork and slate blackboards can be seen throughout classrooms and offices in the building.
An original main stairwell with ornate ironwork railing has been refurbished.
A quote from Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address (“With malice toward none, with charity toward all”) lines the top of an original bulletin board that is now part of the Perlman Learning and Teaching Center.
Features of the 1930s-era auditorium have been retained in the cinema lobby, including light fixtures, the box office, and wooden seats repurposed as a ceiling sculpture.