HCM has completed another project with Stratasys. This exciting company has been a wonderful new client this year and we are exciting about ongoing design efforts with them on numerous fronts.
HCM is excited to have another project underway with Cummins. This one is at their Tech Center Facility on the Fridley, MN campus.
HCM is proud to have worked with Cummins Power Generation on another successful, large project. This one is an addition to their Fridley, MN plant and is the first of three phases. Phase 2 and 3 have been documented and are scheduled to start construction in the spring of 2013.
Phase 1 in the complete restoration and reuse of Valspar’s Building 4 has just kicked off! Valspar’s campus is comprised of four (4) buildings. Buildings 1 through 3 are now utilized by Valspar for laboratories and office support space. Building #4 was formerly known and used as the Administration Building by Valspar. The building has been vacant since Valspar moved its headquarters further downtown. Valspar is renovating this building for their North American Research and Test Lab capabilities, reusing this facility will stimulate a consolidation into one campus; named the Valspar Applied Science and Technology (VAST) Center. Building 4 is in reality comprised of two adjoining buildings, at that time MN Linseed Oil Paint Company, both portions very rich in history and charm. The first is a 5-story building that was constructed in 1903 with a wood timber structural frame, wood decking and load bearing masonry exterior walls. This building incorporates 88,266 GSF. The second is a 3-story building that was constructed in 1912 and has a poured in place concrete framing system, one way concrete slabs and a load-bearing masonry exterior. This building incorporates 82,374 GSF. A common load-bearing masonry wall separates the two buildings which includes openings that pass between the two buildings. This wall was the former exterior east wall of the 5-story building before the 1912 addition; the buildings are now used and seen as one building. Building 4 is programed in two parts, the research and test laboratories in the 3-story portion and office support and storage functions in the 5-story; all proposed in a multi-phase build-out.
Simultaneously as the design team worked with Valspar on the design and programing of the building, the team also worked to complete a SHPO -Historic Preservation Certification Application. The goal is to have this building including the connecting building #1 registered on the National Historic Preservation List. Valspar saw the opportunity to restore a historic building that has a deep history with the city and with Valspar into a world class R&D faciltiy.
The overview of the work to be included in the next year of construction include: The exterior portion –the update of the building’s envelope; the building’s exterior will be cleaned, some re-pointing and replacement of deteriorated brick and crumbling grout. Damaged terra cotta will be fixed while new structural supports will be installed for the highly decorative cornice. Completely new roof system, and complete restoration of all the wood and steel windows. The outdoor parking lot will be revitalized, parking spaces will be restriped and updated landscape is anticipated. Consistent with R&D standards, the inside will have plenty of natural light, modernized lab spaces and updated building systems. The goal here is to provide efficient staff work and lab areas, create accessibility spaces appropriate to the lab functions and energize the overall interior; keeping the balance between the rich historic industrial shell and the innovative technology and knowledge inside.
The renovation of a small public library gem in south Minneapolis is in full swing. The project’s goal is gain a balance between its historic charm while incorporates modern amenities. The exterior portion is almost complete including the update of the building’s envelope; the building’s exterior will get some re-pointing and replacement of deterioratedbrick and crumbling grout. The outdoor public spaces have been laid ready for the updated landscape this spring. The 500-square-foot addition for a multipurpose room for community and library activities has been constructed and closed up. The addition adds a lot of space to this small library along with a lot of day light.
Meanwhile interior renovation is moving along! Consistent with green building standards, the inside will have plenty of natural light and updated systems. The goal here was to improve staff work areas, create more efficiency and accessibility spaces and refresh the overall interior; keeping it warm, rich and intimate feeling.
The best part about this process has been the community’s involvement and their enthusiasm. Neighbors participated in a design collaboration to help refine the renovation goals. Don’t only is this library getting a rejuvenated architecturally, Hennpin County will be provided more public computers, wireless access, a teen area, more books, DVDs and CDs, and new but appropriate furniture; flexible, appealing with comfortable seating. The Roosevelt library will reopen in early summer 2013.
After another successful year at HCM Architects, the Team gathered together last Saturday night for a lovely celebration at the new Christensen House for appetizers and drinks. We then enjoyed a brisk walk to the Collosal Cafe on Como Avenue for an amazing four course feast followed by delicious treats by Jerry Hagen! Thank you to the Collosal Team for making the night unforgettable. Also, thank you everyone for making this year a huge success. Happy Holidays and see you next year!
On the 9th & 10th Floor of the Ameriprise Service Center Building in downtown Minneapolis, Valspar Headquarters resides. Only a few years after moving into the space with new layout/finishes/etc. the Valspar Team found the flow of space for visitors to be unwelcoming. Visitors must be greeted in the lobby of the Ameriprise building, making the Lobby on the 10th Floor rarely used. Instead visitors are walked through open office area where people are working quietly. After a lot of discussion, the Team decided it was time to re-work the South half of the 10th floor to create a sequence of spaces for a visitor to walk as they arrived for a meeting. In the center of this space is a large collaboration space for Team members to meet and work together. The room can be closed off or opened up to feel like one even larger space for gathering. There are a few smaller areas of soft seating for smaller Teams to gather with monitors throughout for employees to plug in their laptops and share ideas. This design project is very fast paced. The construction documents were created in a couple short months and construction began December 6th and will be complete on January 11th. Below are a series of design renderings and construction images thus far.
HCM designed a new office build out for Stratasys at their Eden Prairie SMACS facility. Construction is underway, scheduled to finish in early November. The build out with be the new home for 60 employees, along with collaborative space, conference rooms, galley kitchette and video conferencing spaces.
Process Display's PD Solid division is upgrading their painting capabilities. We designed a new finish lab, support spaces, hazardous storage rooms and provided coordination for the paint booth installation. Construction should be complete by the end of October.
The final open space furniture has been installed at CPGO in Shoreview. Cummins has the building fully occupied, with over 700 employees using the facility.
Construction has started on the Test Cell 134 expansion at Cummins Power Generation’s Fridley Technical Center. CPG will beginning testing in the expanded cell at the start of the new year.
R&D Systems is a business in Minneapolis which has two divisions; Biotechnology and Hematology. This is a new client for our office and we are excited about our first project with them which we have been working on for the past 6 months or more. R&D owns a building on campus that was being rented out in the past, but is in poor condition and they are having difficulty keeping the spaces full of tenants. To make the building fit into the campus look, R&D has decided to renovate the building, making the exterior similar to other buildings around it, but also renovating the interior on the southern half for the company expansion. This expansion will include labs, offices, lobby, breakroom, and warehouse space. R&D has decided to split the project into two phases. The first phase is called the Core and Shell package; including all work to the exterior shell of the building along with the addition of new mechanical systems and stairs on the roof and interior of the building. The second phase is the interior build-out and was drawn for the Hematology division of the company. These design development level drawings were recently presented and approved by the company which means construction documents for this phase will begin shortly while construction begins for phase one. You will see in the images below, a 3D rendering we put together to compare the current building condition with how it will look once construction is complete to better fit into the R&D campus.
HCM has focused on providing viable master plans to determine the best utilization of the county's existing North Shop site as well as the potential South Shop Campus. The Master Plans considerall the Public Works Divisions including the divisions currently located in the Government center – Building Services and Survey and Land Management.
Delkor recently teamed up with HCM to consolidate all their operations. Delkor is a leader in the design and manufacture of packaging equipment, especially for food-related companies such as Kraft, Cargill, Frito lay, General Mills and the list goes on. HCM is eager to provide creative solutions to both their production and office needs.
The addition of a clean lab, support spaces and an open office for Greatbatch Medical is now completed.
Anoka Highway Department Renovation and Expansion is wrapping up and is expected to be finishing up late Spring. The finishes are going in and the final touches are reallying crystalizing the project.
Roosevelt Library is moving fast; with last month’s City of Minneapolis Historical Preservation Committee approval construction documents went underway and were just completed last week. Meanwhile the Library was closed in Feb. and completely cleared out and all hazardous material was abated. The project will soon go out to bid with construction starting this summer. Maintenance and improvements are critical to keep this library as a community anchor and resource. With an old aging building in the twenty first century; Roosevelt’s key upgrades include full code compliances, accessibility routes and restrooms, new energy efficient mechanical and electrical systems, exterior restorations and collection updates. The sustainable approach at Roosevelt is the long-term preservation of the building itself, and rehabilitating the building to fit its future needs. Roosevelt’s original masonry construction was designed to last over a hundred years. The proposed ehabilitation treatments will help the building continue to fulfill its original purpose as well as adapt to new opportunities. Repair and replacement of deteriorated features are necessary in keeping with the spirit and intent of the property; along with the new addition.
As posted earlier, HCM provided the design for a new winter recreation facility for Lake Elmo Park Reserve. The purpose of the building is to act as a trail-head or warming house for winter park activities, including cross-country skiing; however it will be used throughout the year. The building is surrounding by beautiful landscape and wrapping around the site are various cross country ski trails for the public to enjoy. As you can see the project is almost complete. The interior finishes are being wrapped up while the exterior is still needs to be stained and the site work completed. The mild winter weather was unfortunate for those people wanting to get out and ski, however it was perfect for the contractor. The construction process has been great; Jorgenson and KA have done a great job with the pace and overall craftsmanship of the building. They care about the details and it shows! Can't wait to plan an HCM outing next winter to enjoy a fire looking over the beautiful trails!
The large addition for Cummins Power Generation continues to make great progress in the relatively nice weather we have been having. 90% of the precast wall panels are in place and all of the major steel components have been set.
In August 2011, we were asked by Boston Scientific to design a high-profile project within the Weaver Lake 3 building that would serve as a training and entertainment area for visiting doctors and other BSC clients. This space would be used to promote BSC 'in the market' products, as well as the ability to highlight what may be perculating in the directly adjacent Reseach & Development labs. HCM and Isola Design worked with Boston Scientific to provide a crisp, modern design using a neutral color palette to help frame and highlight the color graphics that Boston Scientific will be implementng in the upcoming months. The images shown below help describe the process, from 3D modeling in September 2011 through construction (completed in January 2012).