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EAGAN PET CLINIC

The design of this 4,400 square foot animal hospital is organized to maintain separation between cats and dogs. Exam rooms coincide with this split, while common support spaces such as pharmacy, lab, and treatment areas occur in between, serving both cats and dogs. Other features include highly cleanable finishes, seating nooks, retail display and details such as leash hooks distributed around the waiting area. The building’s exterior uses decorative concrete block, stucco, and metal trim to create an image reminiscent of the Prairie School architectural style.

MINNESOTA ZOO BLACK BEAR EXHIBIT

The new Black Bear Exhibit along the zoo’s Minnesota Trail was designed to house three young black bears. The project includes a holding building, visitor viewing areas and an exhibit space that contains rock formations, indigenous vegetation, and water elements based on a bear’s natural habitat.
The exhibit consists of a rock bear cave with small public viewing window, outdoor exhibit with pond, view gallery with large window looking into the outdoor exhibit, and enclosed bear dens with zoo staff access. Steep grade on the existing site required the building step down towards the lake with retaining walls to allow service access. The areas viewable by the public are designed to give the look of the Minnesota north woods with rock work and landscaping.
The holding building provides a secure, low maintenance area for staff to care for the bears. Controlled circulation of the animals allow zoo keepers the ability to separate bears when required and capture individuals when necessary. Durable materials are used to withstand the wear and tear of housing large animals. Special and multiple animal caging systems are used to ensure the security of staff and the public. Areas for cleaning, food distribution, and other animal care features are provided within this building.

CORNERSTONE HORSE COMPLEX

CNH Architects designed a masterplan to renovate this former equestrian clinic to a state-of-the-art boarding and training facility. Phases of the work included remodeling and addition of stalls, upgrades to the restroom and rider lounge, and improvements to the equestrian circulation core. The design features clean, bright spaces and pays special attention to client, staff, and equine safety.

MINNESOTA VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY

This project included the programming, research, and design phases for this 29,000 square foot animal care, adoption, and education facility. The lower level of the building includes different kennel styles for dogs, cats, and small animals designed uniquely for adoption, holding, and isolation functions. The main floor consists of education, animal intake, retail, lobby, exam rooms, and surgery suites as well as support spaces such as storage.
The building exterior is designed with a Prairie School influence to provide an inviting, comfortable image while still using durable, low maintenance finishes. The interiors will include colored-hardened concrete flooring and masonry walls at animal locations while softening the detailing for the customer areas. Finally, the project has been developed with sustainable design features throughout.

MINNESOTA ZOO FAMILY FARM EXHIBIT

CNH Architects provided design and oversight for the interior upgrades at the nursery building at the Minnesota Zoo’s Family Farm exhibit.

 

Exterior site improvements included fresh paint, new pavement, concrete plazas, new trees and plants, trellises, and a canopy to provide shade for both people and animals, and a play structure for goat enrichment. 

 

Grading was modified to improve water run-off. Wi-fi connections were added throughout the farm to modernize communications and power stations were spread around the farm to power food trucks. 

 

“Working on the existing farm was complex and challenging; we had to be nimble during construction, not knowing exactly what would be exposed as the contractor excavated carefully around the site,” said CNH Senior Associate Al Tsai.

 

“This is a great update for the Zoo and the family farm – making it wi-fi friendly, modernizing the walkable surfaces, defining public gathering areas, providing shade, enriching life for the animals, meanwhile maintaining the working farm atmosphere,” he added.

 

BURNSVILLE FIRE STATION NO. 1

CNH’s largest fire station to date, the City of Burnsville’s Fire Station No. 1 is home to a crew of all full-time firefighters and more than 44,000 SF with 10 apparatus bays. Firefighter safety was one of nine top priorities for the station. Multiple contamination zones and a designated de-contamination area will allow firefighters to keep contaminated equipment and clothing in the apparatus bay until decontaminated. Another priority in the design was firefighter mental health. A warning system that slowly ramps up with alert tones and lighting while only alerting responding staff ensures firefighters are not awoken in an abrupt manner. The station includes areas for relaxation with different lighting to promote natural sleep rhythms, as well as a yoga studio and meditation garden. Extensive firefighter training features including Firefighter 1 and advanced training elements are another highlight of the station.