Planning for the Collaborative Energy Complex focused on creating an environment that fosters communication and cooperation across the myriad of sectors in the energy industry. The complex brings together a cross section of inter-disciplinary professionals from the University and the industry at large to enhance the collaborative nature of the industry. The CEC is the home of the Petroleum Engineering Program and the Institute for Energy Studies. The complex features 21st century classrooms and high-tech labs for research and generation of new ideas. A flexible environment allows for a variety of meeting spaces and spaces for informal interaction. Atriums house educational, informational, and historical displays that engage visitors of the facility. The CEC is a valuable asset to the University of North Dakota, the state of North Dakota, and its industrial collaborators.