Project Details
- Project Name
- Minnesota State Capitol Restoration
- Architect
- HGA
- Client/Owner
- State of Minnesota
- Project Types
- Government
- Project Scope
- Preservation/Restoration
- Awards
- 2020 AIA Honor Awards
- Project Status
- Built
This article appeared in the September 2020 issue of ARCHITECT as part of expanded coverage of the 2020 AIA Architecture Awards.
Louisiana may have the tallest and Texas the biggest, but Minnesota boasts one of the most architecturally significant state capitol buildings in the United States—not to mention one of the most resilient.
Built 116 years ago, the grand Beaux Arts edifice in St. Paul was designed by Cass Gilbert, architect of New York’s famed Woolworth Building. But having endured a century and more of the Upper Midwest’s rather extreme climate (St. Paul’s snowfall averages about 52 inches per year), the building was more than ready for the dramatic touch-up directed with sensitive aplomb by local design firm HGA.
Replacing or repairing tens of thousands of pieces of marble; cleaning scores of historic paintings and sculptures; adding safety and accessibility features; relighting the Renaissance-inspired dome and stately classical façade; providing new auxiliary spaces for visitors: The effort to restore the building was nothing if not thorough. But that was a necessity given the fact that the capitol had not been renovated at any point since its original completion.
HGA’s scrupulous attention to detail was complemented by smart logistical management that allowed it to carry out the project in orderly stages over an extended timeline—including four years of construction on top of a prior seven of bureaucratic wrangling.
The architects took special care to consult lawmakers and the public at large in an open process of meetings and dialogue that helped ensure that the final product reflected not just Gilbert’s original vision, but the needs and aspirations of the people it is meant to serve.
Project Credits
Project: Minnesota State Capitol Restoration
Architects: HGA, Minneapolis . Mia Blanchett, AIA (Principal-in-Charge), Debra Young, AIA (Senior Project Manager), Kimberly Sandbulte, AIA LEED AP; Virginia Lackovic, AIA; Angela Bateson, Associate AIA; Stephen Peper; Ben Walters; Dustin Harford, Associate AIA; Michael Bjornberg, FAIA; Tim Carlson, AIA; Kelly Casey, AIA (architecture team); Doris Rolfshus (interior design); Tao Ham (senior lighting designer); Caitlin Poynter (lighting designer); Sean Cotton (senior structural engineer); Andrew Atkins (project structural engineer); Sarah Berseth (mechanical engineer); Julie Hagstrom (plumbing engineer); Zachary Poynter (electrical engineer); Jeff Lee (communications engineer); Bradley Roath (civil engineer); Theodore Lee (landscape architect)
Construction Manager at Risk: JE Dunn Construction
Owner’s Project Representative: CPMI
Owner’s Program Manager: MOCA
Historic Design and Planning: Schooley Caldwell Associates
Stone and Copper Technical: Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates
Roof Consultant: RoofSpec
HSR Support and Historic Hardware: Luken Architecture
Elevator: VDA
Chamber Lighting Design: Schuler Shook
Fire Sprinkler and Code Review Support: Summit Fire Protection
Security Evaluation and Report: Rozin Security
BIM and Architectural Support: GA Design
DAS System: Elert & Associates
Acoustics: ESI Engineering
Historian: William Seale
Signage Consultant: Salmi Wayfinding
Schematic Plumbing Design: LV Engineering
Project Description
FROM AIA:
Having withstood more than 100 years of the region’s harsh winters, “The People’s House,” as the Minnesota State Capitol is affectionately called, was in desperate need of a thorough restoration. Recognized as a Class Gilbert masterpiece built between 1898 and 1904, the building faced significant water infiltration, dangerous stone conditions, and long-delayed preservation efforts.
The design team was originally hired in 2006 to conduct studies for a restoration, but the project failed to gain political traction and was ultimately suspended two years later. The condition of the building continued to deteriorate, with pieces of stone falling off the building and rain water damaging its historic interior. It became increasingly clear that piecemeal efforts would be insufficient to preserve the building, and planning efforts resumed in 2012 with bipartisan support to fund the $310 million project followed shortly after. The sweeping restoration included exterior stone repair, a new accessible approach and entrance, comprehensive infrastructure replacement, and a new elevator and historic glass elevator restoration.
Phased over four years, the project was completed in 2017 and the building was occupied for two of those years. The complex restoration spanned the terms of two governors and many commissioners, requiring the input from a diverse and ever-changing group of stakeholders. Eleven town hall-style workshops were held to gather input and discuss goals for the project. The workshops provided clear direction for the team and bolstered the level of political dedication for the stakeholder. From the state’s perspective, it was imperative that the capitol continue to live up to its moniker and welcome nearly 350,000 people every year for business and tours.
To construct the preservation framework the team included a specific treatment approach to each area within the building. Each area was assigned a historic zone designating its importance based on architectural integrity and remaining historical material. While the project needed to preserve the historic building, it also sought to improve the function of the building and provide a modern-day work environment to meet the needs of the people and state employees.
Balancing innovative solutions and high-impact interventions, the team was able to seamlessly blend modern systems into the existing historic fabric. Today, the capitol is a true state-of-the-art government building ready to serve the people for another century and beyond.
Project Credits
Project: Minnesota State Capitol Restoration
Architects: HGA. Rebecca Greco, AIA; Mia Blanchett, AIA (principals in charge), Debra Young, AIA (senior project manager), Kimberly Sandbulte, AIA LEED AP; Virginia Lackovic, AIA; Angela Bateson, Associate AIA;
Stephen Peper; Ben Walters; Dustin Harford, Associate AIA; Michael Bjornberg, FAIA; Tim Carlson, AIA; Kelly Casey, AIA (architecture team)
Interior Design: Doris Rolfshus, CID, LEED AP
Senior Lighting Designer: Tao Ham, PhD, LC, IALD, LEED AP
Lighting Designer: Caitlin Poynter, LC
Senior Structural Engineer: Sean Cotton, PE
Project Structural Engineer: Andrew Atkins
Mechanical Engineer: Sarah Berseth, PE
Plumbing Engineer: Julie Hagstrom, CDP, LEED AP
Electrical Engineer: Zachary Poynter
Communications Engineer: Jeff Lee, RCDD/NTS Specialist
Civil Engineer: Bradley Roath, PE, LEED AP
Landscape Architect: Theodore Lee, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP
Project Consultants and Contractors
Construction Manager at Risk: JE Dunn Construction
Owner’s Project Representative: CPMI
Owner’s Program Manager: MOCA
Historic Design and Planning: Schooley Caldwell Associates
Stone and Copper Technical: Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates
Roof Consultant: RoofSpec
HSR Support and Historic Hardware: Luken Architecture
Elevator: VDA
Chamber Lighting Design: Schuler Shook
Fire Sprinkler and Code Review Support: Summit Fire Protection
Security Evaluation and Report: Rozin Security
BIM and Architectural Support: GA Design
DAS System: Elert & Associates
Acoustics: ESI Engineering
Historian: William Seale
Signage Consultant: Salmi Wayfinding
Schematic Plumbing Design: LV Engineering
