U of M Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories Named One of Top Projects

The University of Minnesota Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories has been named one of the Top Projects of 2014 by Finance & Commerce. This year 28 projects were selected for the honor from over 100 nominations submitted.

Located in the heart of Itasca State Park not far from the source of the Mississippi River, the project replaced 60-year old wood framed structures with an 11,800 s.f., state of the art research, laboratory and classroom facility. Despite the severe winters of the northern Minnesota climate, the station has a net zero energy footprint, served in part by 16 geothermal wells and photovoltaic solar panels. Seam tape, triple-glazed windows and other system supports provide an extremely tight seal for the building, which tested 0.01 on a blow test, among the highest ratings for any building ever tested in the state.

Read more about the project.

Seven Kraus-Anderson projects are among this year’s winners.

Projects were judged for degree of difficulty, creativity in design, innovative construction techniques, cooperation among contractors and management, and sustainability efforts. To be eligible for consideration, construction projects had to be completed in 2014. An expert panel representing architecture, engineering and construction professions helped select the honorees.