AMERICANA RESTAURANT – Edina, MN 

“New and exciting” was the direction given by restauranteur Daniel Del Prado to his architectural team as he began the modifications to the former Barrio restaurant on France Avenue in Edina, MN. Christian Dean has designed a glass jewel-box-enclosed rooftop patio. As their structural engineer, we designed a lightweight steel tube frame that follows the glass mullions, staying stiff and strong, supporting the glass for minimal cost. The glass is framed elegantly.

The existing roof is reinforced with engineered lumber joists to increase load capacity from 30 pounds per square foot snow (psf) to
100 live psf. Live load capacity is the maximum weight or load that a structure can safely support from temporary or movable forces, such
as people, equipment, furniture, etc.

We’re adding an elevator, a new feature stair, a back-of-house mechanical facility and restrooms. Design was a challenge, however it is coming together very well in construction.

Expected completion 2027.

Historic Union Block Building – Faribault, MN

Partnering with a Faribault, MN developer to repair and renovate the Union Block Building, a historic downtown Faribault storefront building.  The new use envisions county offices, transitional housing and market-rate housing.

Structural work includes addressing a sagging floor by repairing a large (100’ long x 7’ deep) heavy timber roof truss that spans the entire building, and installing new loft mezzanines in the tall third-floor space.

This project is an exciting reuse of an important historic building that will open a new storefront, support the local community and bring much-needed marketplace housing to downtown Faribault.

Working with Ellison Interiors. Expected completion 2027.

Gran Lutheran Evangelical Church – Grand forks, mn

Renovation of the Gran Lutheran Evangelical Church, including restoration of the exterior façade and to make it available for events and public access. The church was founded in the 1890s and the church building constructed in 1897 for a cost of $18.50 plus donated labor and materials. It is a 25' x 20' gable-roof log building.

The final goal is to repair the building to make it available for events and public access. The church is on the National Register of Historic Places.