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NOW CONSTRUCTING: BURNSVILLE POLICE CITY HALL

Creating a facility that serves both the Burnsville Police and City Hall is no small endeavor. It requires a delicate balance between security, aesthetic appeal, functionality and community integration. CNH Architects embarked on the project with a vision to not only meet the practical needs of the city but also to create a space that reflects the values of the Burnsville community. From innovative security solutions to intentional navigation, every aspect of this facility has been thoughtfully designed to ensure it stands as a symbol of distinction for decades to come. For full details, visit this blog post.

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES - ZIMMERMAN, MN

The facility features upgraded office spaces, as well as warm storage for all vehicles used in wildfire control and forest management. The renovated building replaces its previous fire station, with goals surrounding rapid response timing. With a focus on sustainability, the building utilizes domestically and responsibly sourced wood on its exteriors – along with interior materials – all of which were locally derived and as eco-conscious as possible.

CLUB PRIOR REMODELING

We are pleased to announce the completion of the renovation at the Prior Lake senior center, Club Prior. The project enhances and modernizes the facility for the benefit of its community members. This renovation covered approximately 3,600 square feet of an existing building – bringing a fresh, updated look and improving the functionality of the space. These updates include a new reception area and accessible pantry space, new operable wall, floor finishes, light fixtures, cabinetry, appliances, hallway bench, and more.

EAGAN CENTRAL MAINTENANCE FACILITY

This project encompassed three key buildings: a vehicle wash bay, a vehicle storage building, and the remodeling of first and second-floor offices and lunchroom. Along with this, a comprehensive asset management plan for the entire public works campus was developed. This plan was used as a guide to annual capital improvement budgets and tracked major maintenance tasks. This not only addressed immediate operational needs but also aligned with sustainable practices, ensuring long-term benefits for the City of Eagan.

 

Vehicle Shelter: The new buildings provided indoor shelter for vehicles, extending their lifespan and keeping them out of public view.

 

Fleet Maintenance: The wash bay was essential for maintaining the city fleet, supporting public works and other departments. Office Enhancements: Updated office spaces met current staffing needs, offering a welcoming and safe environment for employees and public interactions.

 

Water Recycling: The vehicle wash bay included a wash water recycling system, significantly reducing water usage.

 

Energy Efficiency: All lighting was upgraded to LED, and daylighting elements such as skylights were incorporated to minimize energy consumption.

CITY OF VICTORIA MEZZANINE BUILDOUT

APPLE VALLEY SENIOR CENTER

Certified with Two Green Globes, the Apple Valley Senior Center is a model for energy‑efficient civic architecture. The building employs daylight harvesting technologies, reducing the need for artificial lighting and improving visual comfort for users. Its mechanical systems feature high‑efficiency heat pumps, controlled ventilation air exchange, and in‑floor radiant heating, all designed to use energy only where and when it is needed.

These integrated systems minimize heating and cooling demands, improve indoor air quality, and reduce the building’s operational carbon footprint. Through smart design and responsible material selection, the Senior Center provides a warm, welcoming atmosphere that performs efficiently year‑round.

ROY WILKINS MEMORIAL RESTORATION

Dedicated in 1995, the memorial was in need of some refreshment. CNH worked with Capital Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB) and an art preservation specialist to determine the best approach for repairs and repatinization.

In four months the following work was completed:
  • Removed and reset existing granite and bronze pavers
  • Repatinization of bronze monument walls and obelisks
  • Repaired bronze interpretive doors
  • Refinished teak benches

APPLE VALLEY LIQUOR STORE NO. 3

As the first project in Minnesota to achieve a Green Globes certification, Apple Valley Liquor Store No. 3 set a statewide precedent for sustainable retail design. Awarded Two Green Globes and ENERGY STAR® certification, the building incorporates a highly efficient geothermal heat pump system, paired with a ventilation air‑exchange strategy that dramatically reduces energy consumption.


Even the building’s beer coolers were innovatively tied into the geothermal system, capturing waste heat and putting it to productive use—further lowering operational energy loads. Through these integrated technologies, the store delivers outstanding year‑over‑year energy savings while providing a comfortable, customer‑centered shopping experience.

APPLE VALLEY CITY HALL

This city hall complex includes a state-of-the-art council chambers, training room, and public meeting space. The offices are organized into pods of open office space with private offices surrounding. Conference rooms and support spaces are shared among the offices. Key objectives of the design included room for future expansion, durability, and flexibility to mechanically and electrically zone the building based on time-of-day and public uses. This project is displayed as a sustainable design case study on Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s website.

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.

NORTH COUNTRY BOTTLE SHOP

Designed to maximize operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact, the North Country Bottle Shop features a suite of high‑performance systems that substantially lower the building’s carbon footprint. Geothermal heating and cooling, occupancy‑based lighting controls, and high‑efficiency LED fixtures work together to keep utility costs low while improving customer comfort.

 

Efficient store layout and shelving systems reduce staff movement and streamline stocking, which in turn reduces energy and labor expenditures. Exterior site design accommodates a variety of vehicle types, improving traffic flow while maintaining functional simplicity. The bright, open interior uses daylight and efficient lighting to create an inviting retail environment that highlights products while consuming significantly less energy than a traditional liquor store.

DAKOTA COUNTY CDA

The Dakota County Community Development Agency office building is a new 30,000 square foot two story building. It houses CDA’s administrative, client services and development functions. Along with private and open offices, the project includes a training facility and board room. Natural ponding on the property cleans and controls storm water run-off. Low glare outside lighting of the parking lot and building accents the natural environment.

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.