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Renovation at the St. Louis Park City Hall Council Chamber

October 2019 – St. Louis Park, Minn. – Over the past few years, the City of St. Louis Park has modernized their City Hall, transforming the three story space and the landscaping that surrounds it. The Chamber Council area was the most recent piece and along with the designers at KOMA, they brought the space up to date and creating a room that not only functioned well for the Council and City staff but was also warm and welcoming to the community.

KOMA’s interior designers worked with the City of St. Louis Park to redesign the first floor of the city hall (read more about that project here) and once complete, the city took the standard that was developed and applied it to all three floors of the building, creating a cohesive and updated facility top to bottom. The Council Chamber, which holds public forums, Council meetings and training sessions was the last major piece of the renovation. The goal was for this space to be functional and modern with current technology while remaining warm and inviting for members of the community who will utilize the space.

Reconfiguration of the room’s layout was a large part of the program. “Initially the room entrance, which had no visibility into the space, was set up behind the council which made for an uncomfortable entrance if a meeting was already in progress,” says interior designer Leanne Freed, “we wanted to provide an environment that was open and welcoming.” The room orientation was rotated 90 degrees so the entrance occurs in the back of the space with a glass wall and double door allowing visibility into the room prior to entering. “We added electronically switched glass which allows the windows to be clear if a public meeting is occurring or frosted if a staff training is being held.” says Freed.

Council Chambers doors with clear glass

The millwork has moveable components which allow the room to be rearranged for different types of meetings. The podium is mobile and holds a large screen and two additional screens are located on the adjacent walls so all parties can view presented materials. Strategically placed lighting was designed to illuminate the faces of the Council Members.

“Creating a space that functioned well and looked aesthetically pleasing in person and on television was a large factor in the design,” says interior designer Cindy Nagel, “we worked to create a clean space that showcased the city’s logo and had optimal lighting and acoustics.” Acoustical perforated wood panels were added to the walls and white floating, linear acoustical ceiling tile sections were added to the ceiling to not only add warmth and brighten the space but assist with sound attenuation.

To further brighten the space and bring in maximum natural light, the existing openings in the exterior wall were enlarged, creating two large windows which became the highlight of the space. Not only did this provide natural light and a view of the gardens below but it also provided additional aesthetics to the exterior. “We’re really proud of how this project turned out,” says Freed, “and I think it is a space that the city can be proud of for many years to come.”

The Best of St. Louis Park

Here at KOMA we’ve done a lot of work in the city of St. Louis Park and we think it’s a pretty great place. So we thought it was only fitting to sit down with SLP dwellers Kevin Dummer and Cindy Nagel to hear their stories of the city and get the inside scoop on what makes it such a great suburb. 

What is your connection to SLP?

Kevin Dummer: I was born in St. Louis Park; in fact I grew up on the same street as Cindy currently lives on, just a stone’s throw away. I lived there until I left for college and my parents still live there.

Cindy Nagel: My husband and I moved there in 1987, about 2 years after we were married. We lived in our first home for 7 years and then moved (a whopping) 6 blocks away into our current house where we’ve now been for 24 years!  Our two children grew up in SLP and we have so many fond memories of the city. We were very involved in the community through education and sports activities, so places like the rec center became a second home.

KD: I spent so much time at the rec center! I remember the Olympic size pool with the huge diving boards; I swam in it all the time. I also have many memories tied to City Hall so it’s pretty cool to have worked on that project. When I was young, I would check out video cameras from City Hall to film my mom and sister lip sinking to music for Girl Scouts fundraisers and I would go to City Hall to use their video equipment and edit the videos, then they would broadcast them on the local cable channel. That helped bring more awareness and fundraising to the Girl Scout program, which would not have been possible without the help from the City.

CD: Speaking of… storage was an important element in our design for the 1st floor of the City Hall remodel – there were closets full of old videos – I bet yours was one of those!

What makes SLP unique? Interesting things about SLP

KD: I loved growing up there. It had so many parks and trails and there were always so many events – free concerts, Christmas tree lightings, winter fairs with sledding, fireworks and kite fairs. There was always something to do that was fun for the entire family.

CN: There is a lot of really great green space. I used to spend so much time at Oak Hill Park when the kids were little. (The days before the Splash Pad existed). We had the first Trader Joes in Minnesota which is pretty cool and of course the home of Opitz – because you know how I love my shopping! From a design perspective, Excelsior on Grand is an award-winning development, and of course West End is a fun area too!  

Favorite Place to get a bite to eat…

KD: I don’t eat out there much now, but when I was growing up I loved Beek’s Pizza. They went out of business and now it’s Parkway Pizza which has awesome pizza as well.

CN: I’m excited about a new restaurant that just opened, called the Block – I think that will become a much-frequented spot!  But I love Rojo in the West End – if you go, get the Cadillac Margarita. It’s the best!

KD: I remember there used to be a Taco Bell that was on the creek bank, and you could stop with your boat and order tacos in the drive through. It’s Taco Bell, but still a cool feature.

KOMA has worked a lot in SLP – favorite project?

KD: For me, it’s the Rec Center entrance we worked on. It’s pretty cool to be able to work on something you spent so much time at as a kid and give back to the city you grew up in. Not everyone gets that opportunity.

CN: City Hall is a favorite of mine. It is a beautiful project and getting to work on the Council Chambers was the cherry on top. It been a great experience to have such a longstanding relationship with many people who work for the city.

Candytopia

Candytopia is an interactive art installation made of colorful candies. Participants journey through 14 rooms and experience everything from Prince’s guitar, to confetti throwing unicorn pigs (yes you read that right!), to a large marshmallow pit.

KOMA’s designers worked with the Candytopia team and their production company, ZH Productions, to provide permit drawings and assist with fitting the installation into an existing MOA space while meeting the mall’s safety and code requirements.

We of course couldn’t miss out on experiencing it for ourselves. Watch as we walk through the wonderful world of imagination at Candytopia. Doors close June 30th and you won’t want to miss this unique experience!

Rahr Renovates Corporate Office

April 2019 – Shakopee, Minn. – Rahr Malting Corporation, a worldwide producer and distributor of malt and associated supplies for breweries, distilleries and allied industries, recently completed an expansion and renovation of their corporate office space. Together with the designers at KOMA and Greystone Construction, the team created a space that not only functions well but is also reflective of the company’s deep-rooted values and history.

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Rahr is a family owned company that has been in business since 1847 and is now owned and run by the 5th and 6th generations. This generational bond is an integral part of the company and in many ways defines the culture of the business. Integrating this aspect was essential in the design of the office space and inspired much of the aesthetic and function of the facility. The project began with employee surveys to discover what aspects of the current space they wanted to retain and what preferences they had for the new space. This approach allowed for everyone within the company to have ownership in the project.

A large reception desk greets each individual as they walk through the main doors. Located just behind the desk is the bierstube, an old-world pub that bears resemblance to those in Germany. The glass dividing the “stube” has a frosted vinyl emblem with the company’s logo surrounded with barley. A main conference room and large break room are located adjacent to and accessible from the stube. “The goal was to make this area inviting to both employees and guests and to really speak to who they are as a company with melding old world elements and modern ones,” says interior designer Leanne Freed, “this space truly is the heart of the facility and it needed to reflect that in both its function and aesthetic.”

Other design elements included retaining brick from the existing building and utilizing it on the interior. Company colors were placed strategically throughout the space and historical documents and props were identified and given a home. Glass was used in the office areas to create a lighter and more open feel to the individual offices and work stations. Exterior windows were also added to provide sightlines to those sitting and working. “We wanted to produce a space that was bright and allowed natural light to flow in,” says interior designer Laura Bauer, “it creates an atmosphere that people want to be in.”

An open staircase leads to the second floor where conference spaces and the executive offices are located along with wellness rooms and privacy rooms. This level overlooks the rest of the campus including the Rahr Malting Tech Center (to read more about this project, click here.) “This project truly was a collaboration and it was enjoyable to help create a space that Rahr felt reflected their unique culture,” says interior designer Cindy Nagel, “we wanted to give them a beautiful facility that every person on their team could feel proud of.”

The Longhorn Legend Continues

April 2019 – Minneapolis, Minn. – Founded in Atlanta Georgia, LongHorn Steakhouse is a staple restaurant for steak lovers around the country. The brand continues to grow since its doors opened in 1981 and with the help of the designers at FRCH NELSON and the structural team at KOMA there is no end in sight. As LongHorn puts it, as long as there are steak lovers to feed, the LongHorn legend continues…and we at KOMA don’t believe steak lovers are going anywhere anytime soon.

KOMA began working with the LongHorn Steakhouse (owned by Darden Restaurants) team in 2008 and has currently done the structural design for over 200 LongHorn restaurants around the country. Cincinnati based architects FRCH NELSON introduced KOMA’s structural engineers to the team after working with them on American Girl at Mall of America. It was at this time that the restaurant embarked on a rebrand of their prototype; transforming the style of the restaurant from roadhouse to ranch. Since that time, the prototype has had several variations to the design such as the front entryway. The dining area also contains exposed trusses now, creating a more open and bright space.

Structurally, variations within the prototype are largely dependent on the location within the country – the site the restaurant sits on, and what city and state it is located in. Poor soil conditions may require a specialized foundation systems.  Coastal cities may be located in hurricane areas and require a steel roof and masonry walls versus the typical wood building with wood roof joists.  Other locations may be located in seismic areas.  Another element that affect the structural prototype are the mechanical units. Depending on the climate, the mechanical units can change affecting its size which may require a change in the weight of trusses.

“Every project is a little bit different but the great thing about our team is that we have worked together for such a long time that we have a strong understanding of what the other team members require to get the job done and done well,” says principal structural designer, Brian Riley. “We have a great synergy and that makes the projects really enjoyable to work on.”

An Endless Pursuit of Education

“The world is a university and everyone in it is a teacher. Make sure when you wake up in the morning, you go to school.” ―T. D. Jakes

When you hear the word education, what comes to mind? For many of us images of our first day of kindergarten come to mind, walking up to receive our diploma in our cap and gown or those last few years fine tuning the knowledge of our major before embarking on the real world. Those are the thoughts that come to my mind too. But I also think about something more than memories. I think about what I’m learning now and what I want to learn next. I’m a firm believer that education is not limited to our years in the classroom. Instead, it is a part of our life from the very beginning until the very end. Sure, it looks different in different phases of life, but it is always happening, and we are always learning.

Right now a main source of my learning involves studying for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) . This piece is probably a little more traditional in the sense that it is the final piece of formal education and an integral part of becoming an architect. It is an intensive process that involves gaining a really in-depth look at every angle of each design phase.

Beyond my exams there are a number of ways that I can increase my knowledge and grow in my trade here at KOMA. Design team meetings are one of those ways. In our office, collaboration is a key element in our approach to design. Working as a group gives a detailed understanding into how each individual views design – because we all approach it so differently. We learn new ways to look at things and see them through a vantage point we may not have otherwise. Collaboration also goes a step further by meeting with outside consultants to coordinate the building systems and ensure the best design solution. Whether that be mechanical engineers, electrical engineers or other members of the design team. Learning how those members of the team do their part brings a furthered understanding of integrated building design.

The annual AIA conference, coming up in early November, provides a great opportunity to gain some additional education. The seminars are incredibly informative, and the workshops are a way to develop skills while networking with peers. It provides a week of exploring new ideas and innovative construction systems which can be utilized to achieve design goals in practice.  It provides a week of exploring new ideas, new products, new approaches and new trends in the industry and it is all done with peers. Similar to the AIA convention but on a smaller scale are continuing education seminars. These provide a look at new products, their performance characteristics, how they are tested and where they can be used. Products and codes are two things that are ever-changing in this industry and it is a lifetime of education in and of itself to stay current.

These are a few of the ways that I continue to educate myself on architecture and design day in and day out and how I stay inspired to grow and challenge myself. There is an endless amount of information and countless opportunities to grow, you just have to pursue them!