Commercial case studies

Lexington Preserve Business Park

Environmentally conscious Aveda Corporation contracted with CSM to build a facility at our Lexington Preserve Business Park that integrated sustainable development principles. Our strategic approach to site analysis, water and energy conservation, indoor environmental quality, material selection and management of waste resulted in a functional and attractive property with limited impact on the environment.

Preserving a natural habitat.

The project site, situated in a designated wetland area, was under the control of a Comprehensive Wetland Management Plan (CWMP), which consolidates wetland areas to create a higher quality wetland habitat.

CSM’s architects wanted to create a beautiful landscape that would also foster a healthy ecosystem. We used trees, shrubs and plants native to the area and incorporated rain garden infiltration swales planted with prairie and wildflower seeds. This use of native vegetation conserves water, reduces pesticide use and plant mortality and lowers maintenance costs.

Turning structure into beauty.

One of the largest challenges in designing the facility was integrating a massive warehouse look and feel with the desired experience for office workers. Starting with the Minnesota Sustainable Design Guide, we looked for opportunities to integrate sustainability into the design and processes. The result is a beautiful combination of form and function. Tall white architectural precast concrete panels tie into the color and materials of Aveda’s existing facility. Earth tones – red brick with a buff colored base – create a warm and inviting foundation in the office component of the property. Entries, accented with clear, anodized-colored composite metal panels, provide high-insulating value with a high-tech look. Angled rooflines at entries further accentuate a welcoming arrival.

More natural materials, less artificial light.

CSM shared Aveda’s vision to design an interior experience using as many sustainable principles as possible – while staying within budget. We looked for ways to maximize natural light in both the warehouse and office areas. Clerestory windows, used with photocell dimming sensors, maximize the amount of useful, controlled daylight. The busiest areas of the warehouse also utilize an active daylighting skylight system, including reflectors to track the sun’s path throughout the day.

The office area includes materials with low environmental impact during their life cycle – salvaged, remanufactured and those from renewable sources.

Green neighbors, good neighbors.

A long standing Blaine, Minnesota-based business, Aveda’s mission has always been to care for the community where they live and work – from the products they manufacture to how they donate time and money. To ensure this development met Aveda’s standards for supporting its community, CSM conducted an environmental impact assessment for automobile traffic and other factors.

Not only does the facility bring hundreds of jobs to the City of Blaine, it demonstrates the essence of corporate social responsibility and serves as a benchmark for CSM’s future work in green development.

This project earned CSM the NAIOP Award of Excellence for Bulk Distribution.

Westgate Business Center

We knew this site’s location within an urban transportation corridor gave it great potential to foster the rebirth of a blighted commercial sector. This brownfield site was comprised of the abandoned truck terminals and warehouses that pockmarked the very center point between Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Previous landowners struggled with funding the costs associated with remediating the site. We purchased the land and, with the assistance of environmental experts, maximized the density of the development resulting in five buildings.

CSM’s foresight, phased development approach and financial strength brought a much-needed, renewed energy to this commercial corridor.

Waters VII Business Center

Lifeworks Services provides support to adults with cognitive and physical disabilities including vocational training, social enrichment, personal care and career development.

The organization desired a multi-use facility to accommodate its administrative offices, adult daycare and training facility.

Securing appropriate approvals.

Recognized as a daycare by the State of Minnesota, Lifeworks’ day training and habilitation program required additional licenses for the adult daycare component of the facility. CSM helped Lifeworks secure the appropriate State approvals and assessed the program’s impact on city services such as sewer, water, storm runoff and roads. A conditional use permit was obtained for the adult daycare portion of the business after it was determined that the number of program participants would be similar to those found in an office setting.

Building for today and tomorrow.

CSM’s was tasked with designing the 25,000-square-foot property for office and day program use with the option to convert to a multi-tenant office/warehouse building. We responded with a plan to leverage existing design and landscaping assets while looking ahead to possibilities for future use. The result was a facility constructed with rock face concrete block and glass, and surfaces with half-course concrete block to emulate the look of brick while keeping costs down. Varying rock-face block colors and sizes give the building a finished appearance and accentuate the entry points.

We designed the building with an 18-foot clear height, a fire sprinkler system for high pile storage and a loading dock area four feet below finish floor elevation to provide flexibility for future tenants. The Lifeworks space utilizes higher ceilings to take advantage of higher clear heights in the office and daycare areas. In addition, the dock door locations are infilled with 8-foot by 10-foot windows, to maximize daylight and provide a view of the neighboring wetlands.

Creating a meaningful community.

Lifeworks provides customized services for people with disabilities to help them live full and meaningful lives. In choosing Eagan as its home, the organization demonstrated its commitment to supporting a strong community where its clients can participate and thrive.