Minnesota State University, Mankato’s new Leonard A. Ford Hall wing of Trafton Science Center has been named one of 25 top Minnesota construction projects of 2008 by the Minneapolis business publication Finance and Commerce.
Ford Hall was honored for its innovative construction, creativity in design and overall complexity. Officials received the publication’s “Top Projects” award at a July 16 ceremony hosted by Finance and Commerce.
The 67,000-square-foot, $32.5-million building started in 2006 and was completed in fall 2008. It’s the largest building project in the history of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, and is home to the Chemistry & Geology Department in the College of Science, Engineering & Technology.
“What makes this structure different is a host of sustainability features that added $1 million to the project but which should pay off in lower heating and cooling costs in the future,” said “Top Project” judges about Ford Hall.
In addition to reducing carbon emissions, the green measures save hundreds of thousands annually in energy costs.
The building includes a giant, circular heat recovery radiator that extracts cold or heat from exhaust air. The heat recovery system cost about $250,000, but the cost is expected to be recovered in two years by energy savings.
The building also uses energy efficient fluorescent bulbs and large windows to reduce the need for artificial lighting.
Shaw-Lundquist Associates of St. Paul, the largest minority-owned contractor in the Midwest and largest Asian-owned contractor in the nation, was Ford Hall’s general contractor. Hammel Green and Abrahamson, Minneapolis, designed the addition.
Finance and Commerce, sponsor of the awards, is an independent daily newspaper that provides news, analysis and commentary on Minnesota business.
Other Finance and Commerce “Top Projects” include the W Hotel in the Foshay Tower, Minneapolis, the Church of St. Peter in North St. Paul, Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota, and Leonard Athletic and Wellness Center at Macalester College.
Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive, doctoral university with 14,700 students and two satellite sites, is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, which comprises 32 institutions across the state.
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