August 2019

Legacy project: Creature comforts, viewer enhancements for black bears at Minnesota Zoo

The Minnesota Zoo turned to CNH Architects for its environmental design to create a Black Bear Exhibit and home for three young black bears. It has a Minnesota Northwoods feel. Built on a steep site and sandwiched between the existing Tropics building, bald eagle exhibit, Minnesota Trail and public trails, the site had challenges. Considerations […]

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Staff: Newer designer, firm veteran both on mission to serve clients

A long-established principal of CNH Architects and a newer arrival both labor to support client needs and desires, offering their expertise in multiple ways. Kelly Hanson joined CNH as an architectural designer last summer after graduating with a five-year professional Bachelor of Architecture degree from Iowa State University. She is also LEED Green Associate, and

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Rooftop fun at sizable south Minneapolis day care

A former Walgreens and home goods store on Lake Street has been transformed by CNH Architects into a Jardin Spanish Immersion Academy with a captivating two-part rooftop playground. Drone imagery reveals the innovative design. The entire interior of the Minneapolis structure was stripped and reinforcements were added to support the rooftop playground, explains Architect Jessica

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Volunteer: Senior Designer’s dog foster are enters next round

Senior Designer Al Tsai at CNH now has a 4-year-old in the house, Lucky, and he’s a dog. His family offers a friendly place for such animals, and has a special relationship with Secondhand Hounds, a Minnetonka-based pet adoption agency. Thus, the established pooch and the Tsai family recently welcomed a new companion. Mimi, a

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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.