THE PROJECT

Project Highlights
  • A welcoming space for individuals, families, and the community to gather, reflect, and remember
  • Model of sustainability - one of the first net-zero energy ready buildings in Minneapolis
  • Cantilevered dramatic suspended stone entry and “cast stone” expressed colonnade

Lakewood Welcome Center is a new two-story, 25,000-square-foot facility designed to enhance the visitor experience at Lakewood Cemetery, a landmark celebrating 150 years of service to the Minneapolis community and welcoming 100,000 visitors annually. Designed with a focus on sustainability, the center offers dedicated spaces for hosting educational events, community gatherings, and administrative activities.

OUR IMPACT

EXPRESSED COLONNADE

formed by "cast stone" concrete beam and column system

REDUCED BUILDING COST

by 10% from concept phase to GMP

ACHIEVED CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE

by delivering early bid package drawings out-of-sequence
Service Provided
  • Structural engineering

OUR SOLUTIONS

MBJ delivered innovative structural solutions to address the project’s unique architectural and functional demands. The building’s primary structure features steel framing with a composite slab, complemented by an expressed colonnade constructed from a “cast stone” concrete beam and column system, with thermal break connections throughout the colonnade system to enhance energy efficiency. A cantilevered design at the northwest corner creates a dramatic suspended stone entry sequence. MBJ provided extensive consultation on architectural cladding details to ensure seamless integration of the foundation and secondary superstructure, while custom Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel elements playfully express structural efficiency. Three fully designed monumental stair systems invite interaction between first and second floor spaces.

The project presented challenges such as coordination of new foundations around deep adjacent underground utilities including geothermal well piping. Steel spandrel beams, structural columns, and baseplates were carefully detailed to fit within architectural stud wall thickness to provide a sleek integrated approach. At the roof level, structural framing was tailored to accommodate thin overall architectural assemblies through coping beam ends, a customized elevator hoist beam, and custom parapet details to mold structural and MEP systems within the tight architectural constraints.

Location:

Minneapolis, MN

Completed:

2024

Construction Cost:

$32,000,000

Owner:

Lakewood Cemetery

Architect:

Miller Dunwiddie and Snow Kreilich Architects

Contractor:

JE Dunn Construction

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