Midwest Building V1I1

8/14/2019 Midwest Building V1I1

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opening remarks

Construction is the art o building, but building is so much more than bricks and mortar.

Building relationships with our clients and understanding their business is crucial be-

ore ground is ever broken on a project. We understand that your construction project

is not just a means to an end, but part o the legacy you leave behind, marking your companys

accomplishments.

More than 30 years o building relationships has been the oundation o our success, andwe plan to continue that pursuit into the uture. Communication is the key. While a contractors

technical knowledge is essential or successul construction, so is the relationship between

a contractor and its suppliers and subcontractors. That is why we are enthusiastic about this

new magazine and its ability to share our stories and industry expertise, highlighting our val-

ued relationships with clients and working partners.

I hope you nd this magazine as inormational and enjoyable as Kuepers and its business

partners had publishing it.

Steve Kuepers

Executive Vice PresidentKuepers Inc.

D kPresident

st kExecutive Vice President

D kProduction Manager

Jf slthThe Hearth Room

Executive Vice President

mchl ptcController, CPA

Lh HtDirector o Marketing

s k

Director o Project Developmentm C

Architect, AIA, NCARB

mchl aldArchitect, AIA

mchl CtMechanical Engineer, PE

Ch rSenior Designer

J adProperty Management &

Maintenance Managerr at

Field Operations Manager

Tdd DChLandscape & Irrigation Supervisor

T mHuman Resources Manager

Project DeveloPmentKristopher Solseth

Eric CarderAmy Collins

Lee Wangstad

Dale DitterRyan Blank

ArchitectureEric LarsonSam Koob

Andy WaletzkoSteven LustJody Falk

Sarah GoodrowTrudy Gross

Sarah SchmidtSarah Rutz

Project mAnAgementBruce Weaver

Dan KennedyCale LaVoiePaul ReierMike Hays

Roger LorenzEric HalbertNate HolzerDan Richter

Joe Klemmetsen

interior Design/showroomThe Hearth Room

Sara Raimann

Gwen BurggraGenevieve KecLiz Stewart

Paula KovatovichCatherine Deutschlander

LeAnn JecoatLaurie MellerKate Johnson

Laura HuntAnna Struss

MN LIC 0002599

14643 Edgewood Drive, Suite 115 Baxter, MN 56425 (888) 829-0707 (218) 829-0383 fax www.kuepers.com


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MIDWEST BUILDING 3

in THis issue

FeAtures

Good New Days Ahead

for Good Ol Days

Rebuilding history ..................................................... 5

The S.E.H. BuildingRevitalization project a triumph in design,

construction, and safety .........................................12

Nature Vision

Preserving history and building for the future ....... 20

PArtners

Standby Generators

Used correctly, these units can pay

for themselves during an outage .............................. 8

inDustry rePorts

Small Businesses are

the Backbone of Our Economy

Valuable resources for growth arecloser than you think .............................................. 11

Green Aesthetic

Common-sense strategies makegreen design affordable .........................................17

5 12 20

Midwest Building is published by QuestCorp Media Group, Inc., 885 E. Collins Blvd., Ste. 102, Richardson, TX 75081. Phone (972) 447-0910 or (888) 860-2442, fax (972)447-0911, www.qcmedia.com. QuestCorp specializes in creating and publishing corporate magazines for businesses. Inquiries: Victor Horne, [email protected]. Editorialcomments: Darren Nielsen, [email protected]. Please call or fax for a new subscription, change of address, or single copy. Single copies: $5.95. This publication may not bereproduced in part or in whole without the express written permission of QuestCorp Media Group, Inc. To advertise in an upcoming issue of this publication, please contact us at(888) 860-2442 or visit us on the Web at www.qcmedia.com. October 2007

About the Cover:

The new two-story SEH Building wasconstructed in the heart o downtownBrainerd, Minnesota, and is headquar-

ters or the architectural/engineeringfrm Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH).

Architect: Mark CrossSenior Designer: Chris Raimann


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4 MIDWEST BUILDING


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MIDWEST BUILDING 5

When it rains today, Bob and Cindy Tyson, owners o

Good Ol Days Family Resort, cant help but cringe at

the memory o their old resor t cabin roos leaking, just

one o the many worries they aced running the 90-plus-year-

old resort. Sinking cabin foors, shiting walls, separating chim-

neys, and other structural problems resulting rom the decay-

ing cabins caused them to spend more than 25 percent o their

revenue on upkeep and repairs. We were watching (the resort)

go backwards, says Bob Tyson. Those maintenance worries are

behind them now. This past summer, with the help o Kuepers

Inc., Architects & Builders, the Tysons were able to oer their

guests brand new cabins and a spacious main lodge with guest

quarters. The path to their new resort, however, was not without

its obstacles. >>


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History

Situated in the midst o the enormous white pines on less than

three acres alongside Lower Cullen Lake in Nisswa, MN, is Good

Ol Days Family Resort. Originally ounded in the early 1900s as a

logging camp, a dozen wooden cabins were used as bunkhous-

es or the loggers. Later, as the logging industry waned, thesebunkhouses would be converted into guest cabins or a vacation

destination called Sikaren Resort.

It was while vacationing at another resort in the Brainerd Lakes

Area that the Tysons entertained the idea o running their own

resort. When they learned about the looming demolition o Good

Ol Days Resort to make way or a proposed town home develop-

ment, they jumped at the chance to save it and purchased the

resort in 1999.

Unortunately, operating a resort today has proven to be di-

cult in the Brainerd Lakes Area. This type o resort has become

nearly extinct over the last 25 years due to the current economy

and changes to planning and zoning laws. In Nisswa, there wereas many as 27 resorts, but that number has dwindled to just two.

Many resort owners have chosen the easier option o downzon-

ing rom commercial to residential, and divided up their property

into lake lots or resale. Eventually, the Tysons were orced to con-

sider that option. While it was tempting, they couldnt see going

that route. We just didnt eel it was the right thing to do, said

the Tysons.

It became clear that they would have to incur the added e

pense o rebuilding in order to stay competitive and provide

amenities consumers demand today. Thus began the par tners

with Kuepers in their tremendous eort to preserve and impro

the resort while developing a sustainable business strategy.

Planning

The Tysons initially came to Kuepers in August, 2005, or

vice on whether or not the project was easible. Ater runn

some numbers, Steve Kuepers believed it could work with t

right nancing. They met with a consultant at the Small Busine

Development Center, who helped them develop a business pl

This step led to the nancial requirement o preselling six o t

10 cabins to ensure nancial stability. The remaining our cab

would not be available or purchase, but all would remain in t

rental pool.

Another important component or easibility o this project w

scheduling. Kuepers had to meet two deadlines: architectcompletion by the beginning o the 2006 summer season or p

selling units, and construction completion by the beginning o t

2007 summer season for conrmed guest reservations.

The next hurdle the Tysons aced was obtaining a building p

mit via eight variance requests, the most any individual or orga

zation has ever asked or in the city. The owners were required

present their plans to the Planning and Zoning committee rst

6 MIDWEST BUILDING

Lakeside at Good Ol Days Family Resort


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MIDWEST BUILDING 7

The new site plan was the exact opposite o the existing lay-

out. The new development would place the parking lot and build-

ings next to the road, meeting the 75-foot lakeshore setback and

providing more green space and a natural buer near the lake.

The improved site plan design eliminated previous run-o prob-

lems, and any water that does run into the lake now is ltered andcleaned as it goes through the soil and water table rst. This proj-

ect was the perect balance o development with stewardship o

the lake, says Pat Trottier o the survey company Landecker & As-

sociates. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

even used the Good Ol Days site as a prime example o good lake

stewardship and planning and or erosion control training.

The owners were granted all o the variances they applied or.

It just goes to show you how much was wrong with the existing

resort, says Bob Tyson. Although it was unusual or the city to

grant so many variances or one project, the committee realized

the economic and environmental benets o the project.

Once the site plan was nalized and variances had beengranted, work began on the design o the guest cabins and main

lodge. The Tysons close involvement throughout the design

process meant little time was wasted going back and orth on

design changes.

Design

Kuepers architect Mark Cross designed the new cabins and

lodge in an Arts & Crats style reminiscent o the old resort,

but with a resh appeal. The owners were very conscientious

o keeping the quaint atmosphere o the previous resort. They

wanted guests to eel as i they were stepping back in time,

but with all the modern conveniences. Cross combined period-

oriented detail with an updated look throughout all o the build-

ings. Mission style cratsmanship and urnishings enhance the

overall appearance. The main challenge in designing Good Ol

Days was incorporating everything the owners desired and still

meeting their strict budget.

The Hearth Room, Kuepers interior designers and show-

room, worked with the Tysons throughout the project on over-

all interior design and nish selections. The two-bedroom and

three-bedroom guest cabins have an open foor plan, but still

oer a cozy great room with replace, pine fooring, and vaulted

ceilings. Multiple dining options include a raised bar at the ull-sized kitchen, a spacious dining area, and an outdoor patio. A

sizable master bedroom is located on the main foor, with ad-

ditional sleeping quarters on the upper level.

The main lodge was designed to harmonize with the 10 cabins

and consists o a general store located near the reception area,

a gathering room with open-hearth replace, a game room, a

private meeting room, a breakast counter, a our-season porch,

guest laundry, and eight guest rooms. Each guest room has a

lake view and is named or a past resort owner and uniquely

decorated with resort memorabilia rom each owners era.

Construction

Once construction was underway, the main challenge

was meeting the tight construction schedule to build 11

structures in less than nine months. Sequencing was sig-

nicant. Concrete crews poured concrete at one cabin and

then moved on to the next with the raming crews ollow-ing close behind. Having multiple crews working simultane-

ously was urther complicated by tight site conditions. Space

or excavation piles, materials, and equipment was limited. When

one thing was moved, something else would take its place.

To make the new resort appear as i it had always been there,

the Tysons placed extra emphasis on saving all existing trees,

many o which were over 100 years old. This oten meant hand-

digging to prevent damage to the trees root systems.

A New Era

Current planning and zoning ordinances and vacation rental

plans make it dicult or amily-run resorts to evolve, much lesssurvive nancially. Owners Bob and Cindy Tyson challenged the

system and overcame many obstacles to save their resort. Kuep-

ers work on the project allowed them to preserve a vital piece

o Minnesota resort history while blazing a new trail or uture

resort owners.


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8 MIDWEST BUILDING

parTners

People oten consider standby generators to be an

expensive luxury without realizing they can pay or them-

selves. In act, a whole-acility model can cut a compa-

nys electrical bills in hal when installed in conjunction with an

o-peak program.

Consider this example: In one year, a

local restaurant experienced our pow-

er outages beore June. On a typically

busy day, its lost revenue and missed

opportunities could have been $4,000

to $8,000 per outage. In addition, its

annual peak demand charges couldhave been $4,000. The restaurant also

incurred the additional risk o losing

coolers ull o ood. The restaurant eas-

ily could have lost $30,000 to $40,000

in a year. However, this business had a standby generator, so

avoided major costs and lost revenue and it was one o the

places in the area to eat during a power outage.

I your company is contemplating the purchase o a stand

generator, be sure to work with an authorized dealer that has

direct line to the actory and doesnt b

its equipment through a warehouse.

Standby generators can be more th

just an insurance policy or your compa

and hiring a reputable dealer will ma

sure o that.

sadb gaUsed correctly, these units can pay or themselves during an outageBy Jesse Grant, Jims Electric

Standby power means powerwithout interruption.


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MIDWEST BUILDING 9


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MIDWEST BUILDING 11

eConomy

I you are thinking about starting a business or already have

a business that is ready to grow, you might be surprised to

learn that there are countless resources to help you suc-

ceed. No matter what your needs are, once you start looking,

you will discover a team o experts devoted to your business

long-term success, and Kuepers can be part o that team.

When considering the collective importance o small business

in America, it is apparent why there is so much interest in your

success. According to The Small Business Economy: A Report to

the President for Data 2005 published by the United States SmallBusiness Administration (SBA), the United States has nearly 26

million business establishments. Of these, 97.5 percent have few-

er than 20 employees. Collectively, these rms account or hal o

the nations nonarm real gross domestic product and have gen-

erated an estimated 60 to 80 percent of the net new jobs in the

past decade. To sum it up, small businesses are the backbone o

the American economy.

According to the SBA, certain actors contribute to the rate

o closure among small businesses. While new business own-

ers and those who were not suciently capitalized experi-

ence a high closure rate, rms with starting capital o more than

$50,000 have low closure rates. From money to market, the right

team o experts can help you think critically about all elements

o your short-term and long-term success, including the best

nancing scenario.

All levels o government oer nancial resources to encourage

and oster growth. Grants may not be the most easible way to start

a business, but entrepreneurs can nd low-interest loans,

educational opportunities, consultants, and more to help them

make sound business decisions.

Certain web sites can be a great resource to start planning your

next business move. For example, www.sba.gov contains a wealth

o inormation and other links to get you on the right track. The

Minnesota chapter o the SBA, which can direct you to your

regional Small Business Development Center, can be ound

at www.mnsbdc.com. Visit www.bizpathways.org or additional

helpul hints. I you want to know where you can get a business loanin Minnesota, try www.sba.gov/advo/research/lending.html.

Once you have done some initial research, you will need to cre-

ate a business plan and obtain nancing. Its best to start locally.

You can nd examples o business plan outlines at www.bladc.

org/busplan.htm. Typically, a county or city administrator can help

you nd your contact, but the chamber o commerce may also be

able to provide direction. You can also nd guidance through the

Minnesota Department o Em-

ployment and Economic De-

velopment, regional resources

like an Initiative Foundation or a

regional development commis-

sion, and local groups like an

economic development non-

prot agency or city Economic

Development Administration.

Whether you are an entre-

preneur or a seasoned busi-

ness owner, there are tools

worth exploring beore you

make your next business

move. Consider working with

a team o experts to exploretax incentives, loan programs, consulting services, and edu-

cational opportunities. I you do your homework, you stand a

better chance to increase protability and experience long-

term success.

Amy Collins works in commercial project

development for Kuepers Inc.

sa B a Bakb f o eValuable resources or growth are closer than you thinkBy Amy Collins, Kuepers Inc.

While new business owners

and those not sufcientlycapitalized experience a high

closure rate, frms with

starting capital o more

than $50,000 have

low closure rates.


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12 MIDWEST BUILDING

The S.E.H. BuildingRevitalization project a triumph in design, construction, and saet


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MIDWEST BUILDING 13

Upon learning o the Brainerd Housing & Redevelopment

Authoritys (HRA) intent to purchase and tear down a

section o blighted buildings in old downtown Brain-

erd, Minnesota, realtor and developer Clint Nelson seized the

opportunity to become involved in this redevelopment project. As

a strong advocate or the revitalization eorts in downtown Brain-erd and as an active participant in the development and growth o

the Brainerd Lakes area, he recognized the projects potential and

the impact it could have on uture revitalization eorts.

The project evolved rom the partnership between Clint Nelson,

the Brainerd HRA, and the City o Brainerd, along with Doug Kue-

pers and the architectural sta at Kuepers Inc. According to the

city, it was the rst major private redevelopment project to occur

in Brainerds original downtown area since the city council autho-

rized the creation of a tax increment nancing (TIF) district to help

carry out its redevelopment strategy.

When the Brainerd HRA created a tax increment district to

help nance the redevelopment, we had some basic require-

ments o the development/ownership group and the design/build

rm, said Doug Grout, executive director o the Brainerd HRA.

Design Phase

Ater examining the TIF requirements, thoroughly reading the

Brainerd restoration organizations master plan, and actively re-

searching architectural eatures throughout Brainerds downtown

civic and business districts, Kuepers architect Mark Cross and

his sta began designing the project. The proposed anchor ten-

ant or the building, the architectural/engi-

neering rm Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH),

also had specic ideas or its space.

Since the SEH site was between the

civic and business districts, the task was

to create a public ace that related to both

sectors. Kuepers architectural team com-

bined elements rom both older and new-er buildings to honor past architecture

while promoting a streamline style or

the uture.

Classic design elements oten associ-

ated with historic buildings, such as brick

and stucco, convey longevity and endur-

ing strength. A common element ound on

Brainerds historic downtown buildings was

aged brick with elaborate details like arches,

dentils, and cornices. Contemporary design

elements like glass and steel, on the other hand, convey inno-

vation and resh appeal. These modern elements appeared in

downtown Brainerds civic side, including the nearby high school

and newer city government buildings.

The buildings faade combines tumbled distressed brick (repli-

cating true aged brick) with engaged columns and stucco cornic-es, capitals, dentils, and keystones. The modern elements o the

glass atrium are juxtaposed with the buildings overall traditional

theme. This blend o classic and modern components is repeated

in the atrium interior, where the simplicity o a glass-backed eleva-

tor and metal-and-glass stair railing coexists with the elaborate-

ness o a traditional chandelier and intricate tile foor.

Another modern amenity is the entrance to the buildings

underground parking garage. The garage occupies the space

where the previous buildings had been excavated. It addresses

the citys parking requirements and meets the anchor tenants

desire or underground parking. Because

the SEH site is located just outside thecitys downtown parking district, it had to

meet new landscape rules that require 15

percent o the designated parking lot to be

landscaped. Last-minute design changes

incorporated parking lot islands with grass and trees. Additional

space on the north side o the building is used as a public court-

yard with plantings and walkways.

Construction Phase

Delays resulted when demolition crews discovered that an aban-

doned underground uel tank rom a previous gas station had

leaked and contaminated the soil. A consultant rom the Minnesota

Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) advised Kuepers construction

crew on how to dispose o the tank and soil and perormed soil

tests to veriy compliance. As the projectprogressed, MPCA

The buildings proximity to busy South Sixth Street

made a site-specifc saety plan necessary.

SEH ofce reception area.

>>


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14 MIDWEST BUILDING

Beore These dilapidated buildings were demolished to build the new SEH Building in the ir place.

Ater The new SEH Building replaced the ormer rundown structures.


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MIDWEST BUILDING 15

ocials oversaw crews as they installed the sewer and water lines

and conducted additional soil testing.

Heavy rains combined with the sites sandy soil conditions re-

sulted in washouts rom South Sixth Street, the main road running

alongside the project. So crews built a temporary retaining wall to

shore up the excavation, and a saety observer monitored Kuep-ers employees working between the oundation walls and the

temporary pier shoring.

Kuepers concrete crews burned daylight hours pouring concrete

ootings and building the ormwork or the poured concrete oun-

dation walls. This was a coordinated eort requiring tight schedul-

ing o crews and sequencing o concrete deliveries. Approximately600 yards o concrete were needed or the project, with 100 yards

poured in three days.

As daytime crews built the ormwork, evening crews arrived

in time or concrete delivery. The project was so large it required

every concrete truck in the suppliers feet. Trucks arrived con-

tinuously, even in the rain, at the rate o one every 10 minutes,

adding to trac congestion.

The buildings proximity to busy South Sixth Street made a site-

specic saety plan necessary. Signage and encing was put up

along the sites perimeter to warn and protect passersby. Several

times, lanes were closed. These closures were temporary and

were scheduled to avoid rush hour trac. Concrete crews started

pouring the sidewalks along South Sixth Street at 5 a.m. Kuepers

crew members took turns directing trac through the construc-

tion zone while heavy equipment was in use.

Precast columns and beams were set at the underground ga-

rage, and the steel columns were set or the atrium. Retaining

walls were built in the garage, and then rst-foor raming could

begin. Ater that, rst-foor steel was set and work began on the

second-foor raming. Crews built a temporary staircase to the

upper level. Next, second-foor steel and trusses were set. The

steel ramework had to be nished beore the atrium glass could

be installed, and the atrium had to be ully built beore the glass-backed elevator could be put in.

Finally, brickwork commenced. Close proximity to the street

created tight working quarters or the masons and exterior in-

sulation nish systems (EIFS) crews. During this time, insulation

and drywall work also began, and the atrium steel was placed

while the buildings interior nishes wrapped up. A late change in

the cornice/dentil detail created a heightened sense o urgency,

as EIFS crews were already dealing with the seasons fuctuat-

ing temperatures and unpredictable weather. But the crews pre-

vailed, and in the end, the project was nished on schedule.

In Summary

Located in the heart o Brainerds civic and business districts,

this new building is the result o a partnership between private and

public sectors with a common goal the revitalization o down-

town Brainerd. The city o Brainerd appreciates the investment

the SEH ownership group and Kuepers has made, said BrainerdMayor James Wallin.

The two-story oce building breathes new lie into a ormerly

dilapidated and blighted city block and is a great source o pride

and satisaction or all involved. This inno-

vative and exciting redevelopment project

in downtown Brainerd has added 25 pro-

essional, ull-time jobs to our downtown,

said Grout o the Brainerd HRA. Grout

also commented that the SEH project

has helped promote other improvement initiatives or downtown

Brainerd. Even the SEH Buildings adjacent neighbors ollowed

suit, painting and landscaping to improve the appearance o theirbusinesses.

The coordinated eorts o the Kuepers construction crews,

material suppliers, and qualied subcontractors were imperative

to the saety and success o the project.

The modern elements o the glass atrium are juxta-

posed with the buildings overall traditional theme.


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MIDWEST BUILDING 17

environmenT

Green design techniques typically involve specic design

strategies, materials, and technologies that balance hu-

man needs with the natural environment. A variety o

new green technologies includes high-tech building techniques,

innovative materials, photovoltaic roos and walls, wind turbines,

rain-catch basins, roo ponds, and green roo technologies. These

advances allow or new and exciting design possibilities, but

clients may wrongly assume a building has to look high-tech, con-

temporary and expensive to be green. On the contrary, a building

doesnt have to look green to be environmentally sensitive.

Kuepers creates a design that balances a clients aesthetic

desires with green techniques, technologies, and materials. Wecreate a green aesthetic using common-sense design strategies

and green technologies and materials that t your budget. This

makes green design available on many levels o building.

During the design phase, we pay attention to the sites

natural eatures. We take into account the changing solar angles

at dierent times o the day and year. For example, we can take

advantage o lower sun angles in the winter to passively heat a

building. In the summer, higher sun angles can be blocked by

solar shading devices.Prevailing summer breezes and winter winds should be

considered when placing a building on a site. Opening a building

to the summer breeze allows or cross-ventilation, thereby lessen-

ing the need or air conditioning. In contrast, in the winter, a build-

ing should be screened rom predominant northwestern winds to

lower the buildings heating requirements.

Preserving the sites trees helps eliminate the need or exces-

sive landscaping. Where landscaping is required, Kuepers can use

plants that are acclimated to the northern Minnesota environment,

thereby reducing the need or watering and ertilizers.

When designing a building, we consider green design strate-

gies that deal with orientation o rooms to sun and wind to reduce

the need or heating, cooling, and lighting. One should also con-

sider quality over quantity. A well-designed layout can meet a

clients needs while minimizing the buildings environmental oot-

print and impact on the local ecology.

Kuepers regularly uses cost-eective green building parts and

materials; or example, we use energy-ecient windows that in-

corporate low-emittance glazing and argon gas between window

layers to help insulate the window assembly. We also use oriented

strand board sheathing on walls and roos. This is an engineered

wood product that does not require large trees or its abrication.We construct high-quality building envelopes with R-19 wall and

R-42 roo assemblies to conserve energy and lower heating and

cooling bills.

Composite building materials, such as

ber-cement siding and composite deck-

ing, are durable and attractive. When

choosing nishes, we present many low-

VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints,

nishes, and carpets that improve indoor

air quality and come rom renewable

resources. Reclaimed wood nishes and

products are attractive and do not deplete

our orests. When renovating existing build-

ings, Kuepers considers the reuse o exist-

ing structural and mechanical systems,

thus reducing both added material needs

and expense.

At Kuepers, we also have in-house mechanical engineers

who coordinate and select the most ecient and correctly sized

HVAC equipment or your building. Architects, engineers, project

mangers, and interior designers work together to create a build-

ing that is both attractive and environmentally riendly.

The increasing stress that continued growth and developmentplaces on our environment requires us to build in an ecologically

sensitive way. Linking common-sense green building strategies

to aesthetic needs makes or a gentle, and perhaps a more

ethically responsible approach to building.

Chris Raimann is a senior designer for

Kuepers Inc.

g ACommon-sense strategies make green design aordableBy Chris Raimann, Kuepers Inc.

At Kuepers, we create a

green aesthetic using

common-sense design

strategies and

green technologiesand materials that ft

your budget


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18 MIDWEST BUILDING


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MIDWEST BUILDING 19


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20 MIDWEST BUILDING

Almost everyone in Brainerd,

Minnesota, has a story about

the old Northern Pacic rail yard.

Once, long ago, the low brick building

known today as the Northern Pacic Busi-

ness Center was a bustling machine shop,

employing thousands o people to outt

and repair the cars o the Northern Pa-

cic railway. In recent years, the old brick

warehouse has served as little more than

an aging monument to Brainerds ormer

glory days. That is, until recently.

In December 2006, Kuepers Inc. com-

pleted a renovation to turn this hallmark o

the citys past into a symbol o its uture.

Kuepers renovated the old machine shop

portion into headquarters or the outdoor

products company Nature Vision.

Nature Vision was ounded by outdo

enthusiast and Brainerd native Je Z

nov. Here, Zernov designs, develops, a

sells high-tech devices or recreatio

hunting, shing and ice-shing. The m

well-known o its products is the Aqua-a digital underwater Vertical Pixel Gra

sonar system or ice-shing with an an

spook camera that actually looks like

sh.

The company expects to generate $

to $14 million in revenue rom its new

ce this year, with a goal o expanding t

$100 million company within ve years

Zernov said the old railway building is t

perect spot or his 21st-century enterpr

Theres no other space like it in Brainer

Zernov says. It has 18-inch solid brwalls; high ceilings; old glass; tons o lig

huge, hand-hewn wood beams.

Zernov relied on Kuepers, the desig

builder it has worked with on at least

other projects, to handle the renovati

Nature Vision had three primary ch

lenges: to create a space that would a

commodate a modern, orward-think

workplace in a way that would respe

the 100-year-old space; a design t

would accommodate the compan

continued expansion; and to compl

all o this renovation work double-qui

In act, Nature Vision had already s

its existing building and needed a n

space in just three months!

Getting the Project Underwa

I dont think there is another build

in the area that holds more history th

the old railcar shop, says Zernov, w

would go to his construction job site a

ask workers how many o them had thers or grandathers whod once work

right here at the rail yard. In every cre

whether they were masons, electricia

general contractors or even landscape

someone had a story.

Kuepers architect Mark Cross d

signed the new space to leave as much

the original structure in tact as possib

maintaining the open eeling with expos

bricks and ductwork. This also includ

Nature

Vision

Preserving history andbuilding or the uture


21/24

MIDWEST BUILDING 21

working with all o the existing window

and door openings. The building told us

how we needed to design our oces.

Zernov says. We didnt tell the building.

Over the last ew years, Nature Visions

business has grown so rapidly that thecompany has had to move into larger a-

cilities ve times in 10 years. Expansion

options designed into the new plan will

allow the company to continue to grow

within its new space.

The 35,000-square-foot space (includ-

ing large warehouse) can be expanded by

taking down a wall to add an additional

4,600 square eet. The old blacksmiths

shop was transormed into Nature Vision

oces, with space to add additional o-

ces. Adjacent is the warehouse theold train car shops where engines were

rebuilt.

Renovation let intact old trusses, an

exposed wood ceiling, and historic ea-

tures o the old machine shop, like a rolling

crane used to lit and move the engines.

The old walls were sandblasted to uncover

the original brickwork. The grounds o the

old rail yard have now been landscaped to

incorporate and highlight oundation work

rom the original roundhouse, where the

rebuilt engines were stored.

The dated building required a number

o modications to bring it up to code

and support the needs o a modern

workplace. Kuepers completely gutted

and replaced the plumbing, electrical sys-

tems and heating and air conditioning sys-

tems. Kuepers used large spiral ductwork

that was painted and let out in the open

in order to blend with and enhance this

period o historic, exposed structural style

o construction.

Keeping on ScheduleKuepers began construction in June,

2006, knowing that Nature Vision had to be

out o its existing building by mid-Septem-

ber. The schedule could have easily been

twice as long as it was, Zernov says.

One thing that helped get the project

completed on such a rigorous timetable

was the eciency o Kuepers design-

build approach. Kuepers was involved

rom the start o the design through the

last stage o construction. It is much

more ecient having the architect and

builder working on the same team, Cross

says. You can have people working on

design and others working on estimates

at the same time. Once the projects un-

derway, the owner can still make changes

and get them implemented sooner. And i

a problem arises, you dont have people

arguing and pointing ngers. Everybody

works together to address issues in a

timely and well-organized manner.

Kuepers crews worked diligently to stay

on schedule. When high summer humidity

threatened the timely drying o concretefoors in the warehouse, Kuepers contact-

ed the supplier, who supplied ans that

would speed the drying. Zernov stayed

closely involved in the project. I was on

site three times a day so little issues never

turned into big issues. We were able to

deal with anything we encountered.

Project Completion

While a turn-o-the-century rail house isnt

necessarily the setting one would expect

or a cutting-edge, tech-savvy company,

Zernov says the renovated space ts well

with the companys culture and personal-

ity. He sought a place that would inspire

creativity, enabling product developers to

create the visionary products his com-

pany is known or. And the location, at

the heart o the Brainerd lakes region o

central Minnesota, a region rich in natural

lakes, rivers, and woods abundant with

sh and game, the Nature Visions back-

yard represents the ideal setting or eldtesting new products.

Most oce buildings, even i youve

got a nice paint job and urniture, just eel

a little sterile, Zernov says. This place,

you walk in and the place really talks to

you. You can be entertained just looking

around and taking in the original crats-

manship o the building.

The Nature Vision conerence room.

I dont think there is another building in the area that

holds more history than the old railcar shop.


22/24

22 MIDWEST BUILDING

AcucrAft fireplAce SyStemS ................................................. SeepAge 16

Aitkin glASS Service............................................................. SeepAge 22

BrAinerd glASS inc. .............................................................. SeepAge 18

BrAinerd WAterproofing....................................................... SeepAge 18

Bremer ................................................................................ SeepAge 18

BrotherS fire protection....................................................... SeepAge 9

detroit dryWAll................................................................... SeepAge 19

electricAl SyStemS inc. ...........................................SeeinSideBAckcover

ferguSon enterpriSeS, inc. ................................................... SeepAge 19

firSt federAl SAvingS BAnk .................................................. SeepAge 16

holden electric co., inc. ..................................................... SeepAge 18

JBerd mechAnicAl contrActorS, inc. .................................... SeepAge 16

JimS electric compAny, inc. ................................................... SeepAge 8

kueperS inc., ArchitectS & BuilderS .................................SeeBAckcover

leS JoneS roofing incorporAted........................................... SeepAge 16

mArco ................................................................................... SeepAge 9

midWeSt Security & fire, inc. ............................................... SeepAge 18

nArdini fire equipment............................................................ SeepAge 4

nelSon torfin reAl eStAte group........................................... SeepAge 9

nolAn teAm, kurillA reAl eStAte ............................................ SeepAge 4

north country plumBing & heAting ..................................... SeepAge 18

rrc SpeciAltieS................................................................... SeepAge 10

Scenic Sign corp.

po Box 881

SAint cloud, mn 56302

(320) 252-9400 (320) 252-4260 fAx

WWW.ScenicSign.com

SchWArtz excAvAting & redi-mix .......................................... SeepAge 22

S.e.h. ................................................................................. SeepAge 15

SimonSon lumBer ................................................................. SeepAge 10

StellmAch dryWAll, inc. ......................................................... SeepAge 4

the heArth room ................................................................... SeepAge 7

tWin city AcouSticS

2655 cheShire ln. n.

plymouth, mn 55447

(763) 535-6697 (763) 535-5309 fAx

WWW.tcAcouSticS.com

W.W. thompSon concrete productS..................................... SeepAge 10

DireCTory


23/24


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Kuepers Inc.

14643 Edgewood Dr ive, Suite 115

Baxter, MN 56425

Documents

Midwest Building V1I1