This 17,000 square foot addition and 8,700 square foot renovation was Mortenson’s tenth project with The Blake School. Steady growth at the Wayzata campus led to a three-level addition featuring a new front entry with centralized administration offices; specialized space for art, music, and drama; a new pre-kindergarten program space, and multiple renovations to the existing facility.

With school in session throughout construction, creative coordination between the project team, staff, students, and visitors was essential. In order to minimize disruption and ensure safety, close attention was paid to air quality, noise, and traffic flow in and around the building. The complexity of tying into the low profile of the existing structure left minimal space above all ceilings for mechanical and electrical installation. Fitting these systems above the ceiling required intense coordination and creative solutions. Retaining exposed ductwork and piping in some areas creatively resolved space constraints while further emphasizing the artistic and industrial vision of the design.

Adherence to the proposed schedule was paramount for the school to maintain operations. Material procurement and delivery needed to be tightly scheduled and maintained in order to achieve on-time project delivery. The scope of the project included the replacement of the front entrance. In order to create an efficient and safe environment for both construction and school activities, we worked in concert with the school to re-route bus traffic and deliveries. Consistent and thorough communication with the owner and project team members was instrumental in minimizing disruption and maximizing safety. Phased construction planning and sequencing were required to complete extensive renovation work during the summer months. Weekly updates and hard hat tours for the students during the school year were just a couple of the innovative solutions used on this project.