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Bell Museum of Natural History

Project Details

Owner:
University of Minnesota

General Contractor:
McGough

Architect: Perkins & Will

Location: St. Paul, MN

Size: 89,857 SF

Services: Design-Assist, Fabrication, Installation

Empirehouse partnered with McGough to deliver complex architectural glass and metal systems for the University of Minnesota’s new Bell Museum and Planetarium. Featuring approximately 16,000 square feet of bird-friendly low-e insulated glass, Empirehouse engineered and installed a variety of advanced curtainwall systems—including four-sided structural glazed, dual-cantilever box curtainwalls and monumental spans—to provide abundant natural daylighting while supporting the museum’s sustainability goals.

Through 3D modeling, thermal analysis, and VDC coordination, Empirehouse addressed intricate design elements such as extended jambs, parapet bypasses, and curtainwall corner transitions. These details ensured seamless integration with the museum’s distinctive architecture, including the green roof vestibule and a soffit transition at the main entrance.

Scope:

  • Four-sided structural glazed, dual-cantilever box curtainwall systems

  • Monumental span aluminum curtainwall systems

  • Aluminum thermal entrance doors

  • Exterior glass railings

  • Vestibule and glass entrances

  • Interior diorama glass displays

  • Skylight

  • Virtual Design & Construction (VDC), thermal, and 3D modeling

  • Bird-friendly low-e insulated glazing systems

To support the University of Minnesota’s commitment to conservation, Empirehouse installed specialty bird-friendly glass at the Bell Museum—helping reduce bird strikes while preserving the natural world the museum is dedicated to showcasing. As a natural history museum, minimizing bird deaths isn’t just important—it aligns directly with their mission.

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Mall of America

Project Details

General Contractor:
Mortenson Construction

Architect: DLR Architects

Location: Bloomington, MN

Size: 884,900 SF

Services: Design-Assist, Fabrication, Installation

The ten-story office tower balances the flanking twelve-story hotel and is connected by decorative glass “Jewel Box” on the building’s exterior. The view of these two connected structures provides the customers and clients of the MOA an amazing image as they enter from the busy I-494 freeway system. The striking office tower features the penthouse and stair areas cladded with approximately 13,000 total square feet of a four-sided structural silicone glazed aluminum pressure-wall framing system, glazed with a high-performance low ‘e’ coating with a stainless steel warm-edge spacer. The fourth through ninth floors have 25,000 square feet of ribbon curtainwall system glazed with matching glass. The accompanying spandrel glass was provided with the ceramic spandrel frit on the #3 surface, offering a subtle banding effect around the perimeter floors of the building. All aluminum framing was painted with a 3 coat custom fluoropolymer finish.

Scope:

  • Curtainwall
  • spandrel glass 
  • four-sided structural glazed aluminum pressure-wall framing system

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Target Center Renovation

Project Details

General Contractor:
Mortenson Construction

Architect: Alliiance Architects

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Services: Design-Assist, Fabrication, Installation

Empirehouse teamed with Mortenson Construction and Alliiance Architects as the architectural glass and metal contractor and a collaborative partner on the Target Center renovation project to transform a closed-off concrete façade into a modern and inviting light-filled space for fans to enjoy for decades to come. The Target Center renovation project is an excellent example of transforming a 27-year-old structure into a modern and relevant facility that re-connect it with the look and feel of the neighboring warehouse district. This also meant replacing blocked views of concrete with windows of transparency where Target Center patrons can look out to see surrounding city life, while those passing by can sneak peeks of Target Center sports and concert life within. This “seeing in and seeing out” was part of the fan experience that the design team had intended.

Preplanning and Design-assist partnership included early design review, value engineering, design collaboration, and cost control.

Scope:

  • A three-story, light-filled glass atrium featuring a monumental span curtainwall application at the corner of First Avenue and Sixth Street which serves as the new main entrance
  • Remodeled Executive Suites with 25 all-glass entrances and approximately 500 linear feet of all-glass drink railings
  • A new skyway lined with bird-safe glass and railings
  • Level 3 bullet-resistant security glass ticket box office with decorative glass fins
  • Twelve heavy-tempered folding and sliding glass wall systems with swinging doors
  • Approximately 4,500 total lineal feet of aluminum cover replacement on an existing exterior curtainwall system
  • Approximately 2,000 linear feet of LED lightboxes in the exterior metal panel façade
  • Curtainwall replacement along Sixth Street
  • Approximately 6,000 square feet of interior glass partition
  • Interior glass hand railings leading to an upper-level glass floor with iconic artwork
  • Lexus Club decorative back-lit onyx glass wall
  • Lynx and Timberwolves decorative shower doors with custom white laminated frosted finish
  • Hydro spa heavy glass walls
  • Overall exterior glass scope of approximately 14,000 total square feet

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St. Cloud Public Library

Project Details

General Contractor:
W. Gohman Construction

Architect: MSR Design

Location: St. Cloud, MN

Services: Design-Assist, Fabrication, Installation

Empirehouse partnered with W. Gohman Construction and MSR Design to deliver a striking and technically complex curtainwall system for the St. Cloud Library. While the design called for a standardized framing system, the architecture introduced unique challenges—flared radius walls, extended wings, multiple roof slopes, and oversized glass lites measuring up to 56″ x 163″ and weighing over 500 pounds each.

To navigate the intricacies of multiple glass coatings, colors, and complex geometries, Empirehouse implemented a meticulous coordination and pre-planning strategy. Every curtainwall opening was “virtually” measured before construction, allowing the frames to fit flawlessly once onsite.

Humidity control and deflection performance were also critical. Empirehouse integrated ties to the air barrier system for humidity balance and engineered the glass wall system to accommodate 1-1/2″ of deflection without compromising the air seal.

The result is a bold architectural statement that delivers both energy efficiency and transparency. The use of low-E fritted glass brings in generous natural daylight while maintaining optimal comfort and performance.

Scope:

  • Custom curtainwall system with complex geometries

  • Oversized glass lites (up to 56″ x 163″)

  • Floor-to-ceiling interior all-glass walls

  • All-glass stair railings

  • All-glass elevator enclosures

  • All-glass doors

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Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota

Project Details

General Contractor:
Knutson Construction

Architect: AECOM

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Size: 623,000 SF

Services: Design-Assist, Fabrication, Installation

The Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota – Minneapolis campus was completed in two phases, with Empirehouse contracted to deliver the exterior curtainwall and composite metal panel systems for both the new five-story hospital building and the nine-story clinic expansion.

A standout feature of the project is the curved façade of the new building, which connects to the tower via a striking skyway. This skyway features a monumental, compound-curved, dual-cantilevered structural silicone-glazed cladding system—both visually bold and structurally complex.

Empirehouse engineered and installed fully integrated aluminum panel and curtainwall systems, streamlining envelope installation while maximizing performance. Careful system integration allowed for efficient window access from both inside and outside the enclosure, and all vapor barrier components were meticulously installed to maintain a dry, comfortable patient environment free from water infiltration.

Scope:

  • Multiple glass substrates, coatings, and frits.
  • EFCO Corporation fully captured and structural silicone glazed curtainwall framing, custom painted stone grey finish
  • Empirehouse provided mechanical louvers
  • Revolving door systems, automatic bi-parting door systems, automatic bi-folding door systems, and oversized bi-folding traffic doors.
  • Total glass and metal panel area: 36,000 square feet

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