In August 2017, a tragedy struck Minnehaha Academy’s North Campus, causing extensive damage and a partial building collapse. The school faced the urgent need for a complete rebuild of its Upper School facility.

By April 2018, Empirehouse joined Mortenson Construction and Cuningham Group Architecture in a collaborative design effort. Although the scope was initially undefined, Empirehouse supported early schematic budgeting, logistical planning, and pre-construction engineering. Close coordination allowed the team to align on design intent, performance needs, and an aggressive project timeline.

Empirehouse contributed integration detailing, full-scale mock-up reviews, and glass substrate selection—including a custom bird-friendly silkscreen design that enhances the façade’s aesthetics. Working directly within the building model, Empirehouse refined connection details and delivered an early production set for timely material procurement.

Scope:

• Custom horizontal-line pattern bird-friendly silkscreen glass

• Trapezoidal flat-slope skylight system (¼” per foot slope)

• Ultra-high-performance aluminum curtain wall and storefront glazing systems

• Extensive interior glass for passive daylighting

The Minneapolis Public School district sought a flexible, modern headquarters, but also one that wasn’t too fancy for the tough economic times. As a Certified DBE woman-owned business, Empirehouse was proud to be one of the women-owned businesses participating on the Minneapolis Public Schools building project. We strive to have women and minorities on all of our job sites. On this project, we greatly exceeded the 13% minority and 7% female work force requirements.

Scope:

• Curtainwall
• Storefront Windows
• Glass Door Entrances

The University of Minnesota Microbiology Research Facility opened in January 2016 and includes labs and office space for the study of infectious diseases and to support the ¬development of new drugs and vaccines. The 80,000 sq. ft. facility is also home to the Department of Microbiology as well as other faculty from across the Academic Health Center.

Empirehouse was awarded the architectural glass and metal contract by Mortenson Construction to provide over 26,000 square feet of ultra-performance thermal composite and multi-sided structural glazed aluminum curtainwall, entrances, a skyway, decorative structural glass, and a glass railing system. The architectural glass selected includes a high visible light transmission gray tint with a high-performance low ‘e’ coating and argon gas-filled air space for improved u-value performance.

Scope:

• Ultra-performance thermal composite and multi-sided structural glazed aluminum curtainwall
• Entrances
• Skyway
• Decorative structural glass
• Glass railing system