HCM's 2025 Boat Cruise

HCM’s 2025 Lake Minnetonka Boat Cruise set sail under bright summer skies with laughter, sunshine, and a twist no one will forget our ship was captained by not one, not two, but these three little ones who took turns at the helm, confidently steering us ( minus the unexpected throttle jerk that kept everyone on their toes ) and making sure we returned safely to shore.

Their fearless leadership made this year’s cruise extra special. With refreshing drinks, fantastic food, and even better company, it was the perfect three-hour escape on the lake.

Viaduct Park Construction Update: Coming Along!

Excitement is building in Faribault, MN, as construction progresses steadily on a key feature of the new downtown area park, a modern, multi-purpose facility designed to serve the community year-round. This 6,239 square foot building will offer a welcoming space for residents and visitors alike, featuring a warming shelter, community gathering area, and several essential support spaces.

Recent photos from the site show major strides in both the exterior and interior development of the structure. The building’s contemporary design is already taking shape, with a striking blend of stone, brick, and metal finishes that tie into the surrounding architecture of the downtown area.

On the outside, the main entrance canopy structure is being framed with steel supports, which will eventually provide shade and architectural emphasis to the welcoming front plaza. Stonework and red brick facades are nearly complete

Inside, the main lobby and community gathering spaces are beginning to reveal their open, inviting layout. Large garage-style glass doors line one side of the lobby, offering flexibility and seamless transition between indoor and outdoor use, ideal for events in all seasons. Crews are currently completing stone veneer installation around the interior columns, adding texture and a natural feel to the space.

Breaking Ground on Fridley Commons Park Revitalization

HCM Architects was proud to attend the recent groundbreaking ceremony for the new City of Fridley Commons Park Facility. This exciting and transformative project will introduce a vibrant new community pavilion building, a splash pad, updated play structures, renovated ball fields, and all-new landscaping and site amenities.

Designed to enrich the park experience for residents of all ages, these improvements will foster stronger community connections and expand recreational opportunities throughout the City of Fridley.

We’re thrilled to be collaborating with HKGi and Bolton & Menk to help bring this shared vision to life. Together, we’re building a more connected, engaging, and inclusive community space for generations to come.

Marthaler Park Reopens with New Amenities and Community-Focused Design

Marthaler Park in West Saint Paul has officially reopened following a major renovation aimed at improving access, sustainability, and recreation. Our team was proud to contribute to the transformation by designing the new picnic pavilion and toilet building, two key features that support daily park use and community gatherings.

The renovated park also included:

  • A relocated parking lot for improved access

  • Bicycle parking and a repair station

  • A new fishing pier and playground

  • A stormwater filtration pond for improved environmental health

These improvements reflect Dakota County’s commitment to creating inviting, inclusive public spaces. We’re honored to have played a part in shaping this renewed community asset.

Crystal Cove Aquatic Reopens with Exciting Upgrades

The City of Crystal is excited to announce the grand reopening of the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center on June 25! The project is in its final stage of completion, with the exterior façade, interior flooring, walls, and counters all nearing the finish line.

This major renovation includes a refreshed pool, an expanded pool house, and a larger, more welcoming entry area to improve circulation and visibility. The ticketing desk has also been upgraded with enhanced security for staff and a smoother check-in experience.

Visitors will immediately notice the expanded entry area, designed to create a more welcoming and recognizable entrance while significantly improving foot traffic and circulation throughout the space. The improved layout enhances accessibility and ensures a smoother, more enjoyable experience from arrival to poolside.

Developed in partnership with contractor KA, the new Crystal Cove is almost ready to make a splash, just in time for summer fun!

Thanks for the Brew-tiful Pantone Event

A big thank you to Atmosphere Commercial Interiors for hosting such a fun and creative Pantone event at Sociable Cider Werks in Minneapolis! We loved the mocha-inspired, coffee-themed evening and were thrilled to be invited.

had a blast trying out barista skills and even giving latte art a shot. It was a great way to connect, learn something new, and share some laughs.

We’re grateful to have been invited and look forward to building great things together in the future!

Viaduct Park Construction Update: Taking Shape!

Exciting things are happening just steps from downtown Faribault Viaduct Park is coming to life! Phase One construction is well underway, and the project is starting to take shape.

Currently, crews have made major strides on Phase One of the project. The main gathering area is starting to show its true form, with the building shell and roof fully installed. One of the standout features, the steel decorative trusses, are now in place and give the space a unique, welcoming character. These eye-catching elements are just a taste of the beautiful design touches that will make Viaduct Park such a special spot.

Outside, the construction team has begun work on the exterior stone veneer, adding warmth and texture to the building’s façade. It’s exciting to see these details come together as they transform a construction site into what will soon be a vibrant, year-round community hub.

Meanwhile, work has started on the interior plumbing, a key step toward supporting amenities like the restrooms and splash pad facilities. Each pipe laid and stone set brings us closer to the anticipated Fall 2025 opening

New Look, Same Dedication to Great Design

We are excited to unveil our new HCM logo! Our team has worked diligently to develop a fresh and contemporary brand identity for HCM Architects. As we celebrate the 27 years of what got us here and look forward to the future, this new logo reflects both our history and our vision to remain approachable & forward-thinking. 

Our team & leadership have always been focused on finding common values and building genuine friendships with everyone we work with. Our architecture practice is based on a simple philosophy - Provide creative ideas, exemplary service, treat people well, and good things will happen. While embracing a new look, we remain committed to our founding principles and are looking forward to the relationships & opportunities before us!

Our new branding includes some fun variations (see below), but be sure to check back as we continue to update our website & projects with our new projects and branding material!

ST. CROIX COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER OFFICE TOUR

Our HCM team had the exciting opportunity to explore the St. Croix Government Center construction site in Hudson, Wisconsin. This large-scale project is quickly taking shape, with a total construction scope covering an impressive 330,000 square feet. The tour gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the future of public service in the region, showcasing the stunning new courtrooms and high-end finishes, and thoughtful design elements that will define the government center.

One of the standout features of the St. Croix Government Center is its careful blend of modernity and warmth, achieved through the use of wood-like materials and large-format tiles.

As we walked through the construction site, it’s clear that the project is a significant step forward for the St. Croix County community compared to their existing spaces yet to be remodeled. The new Government Center is designed to be a modern, efficient space that will not only meet the growing needs of the county but also provide an aesthetically pleasing environment for both staff and the public.

BUILDING PROGRESS AT CITY OF OAKDALE PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY

Despite a recent cold snap, progress at the City of Oakdale's new Public Works facility is forging ahead. The precast concrete wall panels, along with the masonry stair and elevator cores, are steadily rising into place. The speed at which the precast is going up is impressive, and by mid-March, we anticipate that 80% of the exterior shell will be in place.

This milestone marks a key point in a lengthy process, with ongoing collaboration between the City of Oakdale, KA, and our consultant team. It's rewarding to see the building begin to take shape as the project moves closer to completion.

HCM CLIMBS TO NEW HEIGHTS

From beginner walls to more challenging routes, everyone embraced scaling to new heights- literally.

HCM Architects stepped away from the office and experienced some serious rock climbing at Vertical Endeavors, a big thank you to Ilana for organizing such an energizing afternoon. The climbs were a real challenge — from tough overhangs to routes that had us questioning our grip, everyone was pushed to their limits. Some of us were first-timers, while others took on walls we never thought we could conquer.

A rewarding day of challenges, teamwork, and celebration ended with a well deserved happy hour at Dan’s newly renovated kitchen. Big thanks to Dan and his wife for hosting us - his space is as impressive as the climbs we conquered that afternoon!

A great day of team bonding, creativity, and good company.

Exciting Groundbreaking for Oakdale's New Public Works Facility

Exciting news at Oakdale following the groundbreaking ceremony for the new public work facility, set to open in fall of 2025. The facility will enhance the community’s infrastructure and services, ensuring that they can better meet the needs of their residents.

Thank you goes out to Kraus Anderson for their expertise and commitment to this project, as well as to the City of Oakdale for their leadership and vision. Their collaborative efforts with HCM Architects have paved the way for this essential development, which promises to elevate the quality of life for all in our community.

As we look forward to the future, we celebrate this significant milestone and the positive impact it will have on Oakdale. Stay tuned for updates as construction progresses! For now look at the killer drone footage captured of that awesome moment.

HCM HITS THE LINKS

After years of planning, HCM Architects finally hit the links—thanks to Liz for coordinating our long-awaited afternoon at Topgolf!

Enjoying some of the last nice fall days, the team traded in design sketches for golf clubs and laughter. We all split into teams, celebrating each other’s impressive swings and hilarious misses, all while enjoying delicious food and drinks.

Here’s to more fun outings in the future. On to rock climbing!

Brat Lunch

Feeling hungry? HCM had their annual brat lunch with different variations of foods. We anticipately wait as our brat team creates wonderful dishes. After our brat team is finished, we eat outside and enjoy the food, beverages and weather. Here are a few of the many dishes we were able to capture!

HCM at Twin's Game

HCM leaves home base to witness the Twins successfully win right before the end time scoring a 6 – 2 against the Phillies. We also enjoyed the treats along the way while celebrating our win. Such as soft pretzel bread, chicken patties, hot dogs, salad and a refreshing beverage. We cannot wait to come back and see the Twins win again!

HCM's 2024 Boat Cruise

HCM’s 2024 Lake Minnetonka boat cruise embarked beneath the summer skies, offering a well-deserved three-hour getaway with refreshing drinks, wonderful company and delicious food. We cannot wait to do this again next year!

Xcel Energy Chanhassen Site Tour

The HCM team was able to get out of the office for a companywide site tour of our Xcel Energy Chanhassen Service Center project. The precast wall panels were almost completely set, and the main building was just starting concrete slab on grade as well as roof blocking in preparation for the roofing assembly. This was a great time to show off early construction to some of our younger staff since you could still see the footing to precast connections, steel connections, and the roof decking. Our aspiring architects get to learn and see in person building from blueprints to the ground up. It was impressive to see the almost 65’ tall precast concrete wall panels that will make up the fleet maintenance building. As we are transitioning to the building phase, it was a great opportunity for the HCM team to stop by and see the process.

THANK YOU, DAN LAWRENCE

It is bittersweet to announce one of our beloved partners has transitioned to a different, but great, position as a Senior Project Manager for Washington County. Dan Lawrence was exceptional and never hesitant to share his wisdom and knowledge with others around him. There is no doubt that he will progress and create a great working environment in his new position as he did at HCM. We have been very fortunate to have had Dan Lawrence as a Partner, colleague, leader and forever a dear friend.

LISI GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

We are excited to announce that LISI Medical’s Groundbreaking Ceremony was a huge success. The Mayor of Big Lake, Paul Knier and the Director of Engineering and Operations, Shane Hybben, both spoke about the great success of the 45,000 sf expansion creating job opportunities and impacting the lives of the residents in the City of Big Lake.