High Tech Meets Heritage at Valspar VAST Center

The Valspar Applied Science and Technology Center, or VAST Center, is a reminder not to judge a book by its cover.

Located on the Valspar campus in east downtown Minneapolis, the building’s stately century-old brick exterior and arched windows reflect the company’s history. Inside, researchers are shaping the future of the paint and coatings industry.

The VAST Center opened in 2014 after 13 months of construction transformed previously vacant space into laboratories for Valspar, a global paint and coatings company. At the same time, the project restored and preserved the building’s historic architecture.

Learn more about the Valspar Applied Science and Technology Center project.

What Challenges Did the Historic VAST Center Buildings Present?

The 170,640-square-foot project presented several design and construction challenges, beginning with the buildings themselves.

The structure is actually two connected buildings: a five-story timber-framed former paint manufacturing facility built in 1903 and an adjacent three-story concrete warehouse built in 1912.

Although structurally sound, the buildings’ age and previous functions required thorough investigation and remediation before they could support their new role as advanced laboratory space.

The original building drawings did not account for variations and settling that had occurred over more than a century. After the buildings were gutted to their exterior walls, core walls and columns, the project team used 3D laser scanning to create a highly accurate structural model.

The scanning process took six weeks, substantially less time than traditional field measurement, drawing markup and computer-aided design drafting methods.

“As a result of the scan, we learned that the floor levels were off by 8 inches from one end to the other, and the building was 8 inches longer than it should be,” said Brad Harvey, Kraus-Anderson project manager. “Our mechanical, electrical and plumbing subcontractors were able to bring the scanned building model into their software and accurately coordinate their ducts and pipes before they fabricated them.”

The 3D laser-scanning approach helped accelerate the construction schedule, saving an estimated six months, Harvey said.

This type of digital coordination is a central part of Building Information Modeling and Virtual Design and Construction. Learn more about Kraus-Anderson’s Building Information Modeling team and Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Services.

 

How Did the Team Preserve the Building’s Historic Character?

Valspar and the project team took a careful approach to restoring the building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The project included restoration of original window frames, hardwood floors, brick surfaces and the five-story building’s original entrance. Historic artifacts and discovered features were incorporated throughout the VAST Center as reminders of the building’s industrial past.

These details included steel track doors and a resin tank preserved as a focal point in one conference room. Original timber support beams were conserved throughout the five-story building.

When some oversized timbers had to be removed to make room for ductwork, they were reclaimed and repurposed into millwork used in the showroom desk and throughout the building.

The project demonstrates how adaptive reuse can reshape communities while retaining meaningful architectural features. The National Park Service provides guidance on historic preservation standards, including approaches to rehabilitation of historic properties.

What Safety and Building-Systems Requirements Did the Laboratory Facility Need?

While honoring its historic structure, the VAST Center also required extensive mechanical systems to provide ventilation and air changes throughout the facility.

Advanced fire-protection systems were installed to support the facility’s safety requirements. The project maintained the safety standards of a Minnesota Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program worksite.

The Kraus-Anderson project team also supported the client’s safety values by completing Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Construction Health and Safety Excellence Level 3 program. With a full-time safety director on-site, the project accumulated approximately 185,000 worker hours without a lost-time accident.

This outcome reflects the importance of intentional safety planning and active jobsite leadership. Learn more about building a culture of construction safety.

How Did the VAST Center Reinforce Valspar’s Minneapolis Commitment?

Kraus-Anderson later completed additional office finishes to house executive and support roles at VAST.

“Moving the headquarters back to the historic building, which now serves as both the Valspar Headquarters and Applied Science and Technology Center, indicates the commitment Valspar has made in east downtown,” said Jackie Barrett, facilities manager for Valspar Corporation. “We are now back to where we began, and where we belong.”

“Both projects were successful because of the hard work and dedicated team members from Kraus-Anderson,” Barrett said.

The Valspar Applied Science and Technology Center received recognition including:

  • 2014 Top Projects, Finance & Commerce.
  • 2015 MC&MCA Awards of Excellence.
  • 2015 Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Award.
  • National Register of Historic Places listing.

In this article, Kraus-Anderson explored the Valspar VAST Center historic laboratory renovation, including 3D laser scanning, Building Information Modeling and Virtual Design and Construction coordination, preservation of historic features, laboratory ventilation and safety planning. Learn more about the Valspar VAST Center project, historic preservation projects and laboratory construction.

CATEGORY: Construction