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

The University of Minnesota Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories was named one of the Top Projects of 2014 by Finance & Commerce. That year, 28 projects were selected from more than 100 nominations.

Located in the heart of Itasca State Park, near the source of the Mississippi River, the project replaced 60-year-old wood-framed structures with an 11,800-square-foot research, laboratory and classroom facility.

Despite northern Minnesota’s severe winters, the station was designed with a net zero energy footprint. The facility uses 16 geothermal wells and photovoltaic solar panels, along with seam tape, triple-glazed windows and other building systems that create an exceptionally tight envelope.

The building tested at 0.01 during blower-door testing, one of the highest ratings recorded for a building in Minnesota at the time.

Learn more about the University of Minnesota Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories project.

What Sustainable Features Support the Itasca Biological Station?

The facility’s high-performance building systems were designed to support energy efficiency in a demanding climate. Key features included:

  • Sixteen geothermal wells.
  • Photovoltaic solar panels.
  • Triple-glazed windows.
  • Air-sealing measures, including seam tape.
  • A high-performance building envelope.
  • Laboratory, classroom and research spaces designed for long-term use.

Geothermal systems use stable underground temperatures to help heat and cool buildings. Learn more about geothermal systems and sustainability services.

The U.S. Department of Energy provides information on net zero energy buildings, including strategies for reducing energy demand and incorporating renewable-energy systems.

Why Was the Project Recognized as a Finance & Commerce Top Project?

Finance & Commerce selected Top Projects based on degree of difficulty, design creativity, innovative construction techniques, cooperation among contractors and management, and sustainability efforts.

To be eligible, projects had to be completed in 2014. An expert panel representing architecture, engineering and construction professions selected the honorees.

The Itasca Biological Station project combined research and laboratory needs with high-performance building strategies in a remote state-park location. It was one of seven Kraus-Anderson projects recognized among that year’s winners.

Read Finance & Commerce’s Top Projects feature on the Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories.

The project demonstrates how higher education construction and laboratory construction can support research needs, sustainability goals and long-term building performance.

In this article, Kraus-Anderson shared Finance & Commerce’s recognition of the University of Minnesota Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories as a 2014 Top Project. The project combined laboratory and classroom space with a net zero energy approach, geothermal wells, solar panels, high-performance windows and a tightly sealed building envelope. Learn more about high-performance building recognition, sustainability services and Kraus-Anderson awards and recognition.

CATEGORY: Awards