DCTC and TKDA: Building on a Partnership

Twin Cities architectural firm does stellar work on campus

A premier, full-service engineering, architectural and planning firm headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., TKDA has more than 100 years of experience bringing the right people to the right projects. That experience, plus solid expertise and innovative design, are showcased through a number of projects on the main campus of Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, Minn. Two remarkable projects include  Ames Field and Student Services, the former one of the finest two-year college baseball parks in the nation; the latter an award-winning remodel completed in fall 2009.

Model Remodel

The design work for the Visitor Lobby and Student Services Remodel earned TKDA an Interior Renovation Outstanding Designs Award from American School & University. The remodel is featured on page 92 in the August 2012 digital edition of AS & U magazine. The TKDA design is also permanently featured on the SchoolDesigns.com.

Terry Olsen, AIA, CSI, LEED AP BD+C, a TKDA project architect and project manager, had this to say about the project:

“TKDA had the pleasure to work with Dakota County Technical College on their North Visitor Lobby and Student Services remodel. The original intent was to update the dark and confusing entry, to make it more inviting and welcoming to visitors and potential new students. Meeting with the staff to consolidate the previously separate student admissions, administration and financial aid into one department, it was clear each member cared deeply about the impact and their ability to serve the student body, not just current students, but also potential students and graduates of DCTC programs.

“The passion was also felt in the desire to make this as holistically an environmentally-conscious design as possible. This included recycled-content floor tile, acoustic ceiling panels, carpet tiles and walk-off mats (from recycled airline and truck tires!). Desks and chairs were constructed locally from rapidly-renewable resources, like linoleum, FSC (Forest Stewardship Certified) birch, straw-based core and non-PVC bio-edge material.

“Existing furniture was reused, such as the chairs in the two lobby lounges and the file cabinets were electrostatically-painted to match and extend their life. Healthy options of low- and no-VOC paints and finishes along with non-urea formaldehyde particle board and tape for signage and carpet tiles instead of adhesives helped prevent off-gassing to protect indoor air quality and the health of the students and employees.

“Natural light from the new front entry now floods through the glass and translucent walls, even at computer kiosks, offering privacy and glare control. New energy-efficient lighting also helps lighten the former dark corners.

“Walking through the front doors, the first impression is now appropriately one of openness. Congratulations DCTC on your award-winning Visitor Lobby and Student Services Remodel.”

Play ball!

Ames Field officially opened for NJCAA Division II baseball at Blue 42, a DCTC community and campus celebration held Sept. 22, 2012. The Blue Knights baseball team swept a doubleheader from the Western Technical College Cavaliers. TKDA provided site planning, design, and construction administration services for the ballpark project.

Working with the college, TKDA designed facility components so that some construction work was able to be performed by school programs, providing students with hands-on experience. Designers utilized a cost-effective approach to deliver high-quality, well-drained athletic turf for the baseball field by strategically amending the existing onsite granular soils. They also took advantage of the existing onsite granular soils to create stormwater management solutions that filtered and cleansed runoff from the facility and adjacent parking areas and infiltrated the storm runoff to replenish groundwater.

The complex includes a regulation NJCAA baseball field with irrigation, masonry dugouts, prefabricated metal bleacher seating for 600 with prefabricated press box, electronic scoreboard, batting cages, and a 7,200 SF baseball support building with space for concessions, restrooms, batting cages, storage and mechanical equipment.

In keeping with the college’s commitment to sustainability, maintained turf was utilized only on the baseball field and in areas directly around the buildings and bleachers. All other areas were restored with native grasses to provide wildlife habitat while minimizing maintenance and conserving water. Native tree plantings continue this theme and reinforce the baseball venue atmosphere.

You can learn more about the building of Ames Field by reading “Ames Field: Game On” in Real Magazine.

For more information about TKDA projects on campus, contact:

• Paul DeMuth
  Operations Director
  651-423-8370