HCM CLIMBS TO NEW HEIGHTS

From beginner walls to more challenging routes, everyone embraced scaling to new heights- literally.

HCM Architects stepped away from the office and experienced some serious rock climbing at Vertical Endeavors, a big thank you to Ilana for organizing such an energizing afternoon. The climbs were a real challenge — from tough overhangs to routes that had us questioning our grip, everyone was pushed to their limits. Some of us were first-timers, while others took on walls we never thought we could conquer.

A rewarding day of challenges, teamwork, and celebration ended with a well deserved happy hour at Dan’s newly renovated kitchen. Big thanks to Dan and his wife for hosting us - his space is as impressive as the climbs we conquered that afternoon!

A great day of team bonding, creativity, and good company.

Exciting Groundbreaking for Oakdale's New Public Works Facility

Exciting news at Oakdale following the groundbreaking ceremony for the new public work facility, set to open in fall of 2025. The facility will enhance the community’s infrastructure and services, ensuring that they can better meet the needs of their residents.

Thank you goes out to Kraus Anderson for their expertise and commitment to this project, as well as to the City of Oakdale for their leadership and vision. Their collaborative efforts with HCM Architects have paved the way for this essential development, which promises to elevate the quality of life for all in our community.

As we look forward to the future, we celebrate this significant milestone and the positive impact it will have on Oakdale. Stay tuned for updates as construction progresses! For now look at the killer drone footage captured of that awesome moment.

HCM HITS THE LINKS

After years of planning, HCM Architects finally hit the links—thanks to Liz for coordinating our long-awaited afternoon at Topgolf!

Enjoying some of the last nice fall days, the team traded in design sketches for golf clubs and laughter. We all split into teams, celebrating each other’s impressive swings and hilarious misses, all while enjoying delicious food and drinks.

Here’s to more fun outings in the future. On to rock climbing!

Brat Lunch

Feeling hungry? HCM had their annual brat lunch with different variations of foods. We anticipately wait as our brat team creates wonderful dishes. After our brat team is finished, we eat outside and enjoy the food, beverages and weather. Here are a few of the many dishes we were able to capture!

HCM at Twin's Game

HCM leaves home base to witness the Twins successfully win right before the end time scoring a 6 – 2 against the Phillies. We also enjoyed the treats along the way while celebrating our win. Such as soft pretzel bread, chicken patties, hot dogs, salad and a refreshing beverage. We cannot wait to come back and see the Twins win again!

HCM's 2024 Boat Cruise

HCM’s 2024 Lake Minnetonka boat cruise embarked beneath the summer skies, offering a well-deserved three-hour getaway with refreshing drinks, wonderful company and delicious food. We cannot wait to do this again next year!

Xcel Energy Chanhassen Site Tour

The HCM team was able to get out of the office for a companywide site tour of our Xcel Energy Chanhassen Service Center project. The precast wall panels were almost completely set, and the main building was just starting concrete slab on grade as well as roof blocking in preparation for the roofing assembly. This was a great time to show off early construction to some of our younger staff since you could still see the footing to precast connections, steel connections, and the roof decking. Our aspiring architects get to learn and see in person building from blueprints to the ground up. It was impressive to see the almost 65’ tall precast concrete wall panels that will make up the fleet maintenance building. As we are transitioning to the building phase, it was a great opportunity for the HCM team to stop by and see the process.

THANK YOU, DAN LAWRENCE

It is bittersweet to announce one of our beloved partners has transitioned to a different, but great, position as a Senior Project Manager for Washington County. Dan Lawrence was exceptional and never hesitant to share his wisdom and knowledge with others around him. There is no doubt that he will progress and create a great working environment in his new position as he did at HCM. We have been very fortunate to have had Dan Lawrence as a Partner, colleague, leader and forever a dear friend.

LISI GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

We are excited to announce that LISI Medical’s Groundbreaking Ceremony was a huge success. The Mayor of Big Lake, Paul Knier and the Director of Engineering and Operations, Shane Hybben, both spoke about the great success of the 45,000 sf expansion creating job opportunities and impacting the lives of the residents in the City of Big Lake.

PROVIDENCE DPW UPDATE

HCM is excited to continue our great partnership with Rowse Architects on the exciting new DPW project for the City of Providence, RI. SD has wrapped up and the City is working through budget details.  In the meantime, here are a few updated renderings of the project.

CITY OF OAKDALE PUBLIC WORKS BEGINS GRADING

We are excited that soil remediation is complete and the City of Oakdale has started rough grading for their proposed new Public Works facility. The project has been a multi-year effort to secure the property, refine the design to meet both DPW needs and budget. 

The City of Oakdale team has been an amazing partner on the design and we are excited to see progress on the site prep. 

KA has been selected as the CMaR for the project and we look forward to another project with them.

CONGRATULATE HCMS' NEW ASSOCIATE

We are truly pleased to announce that Josh Tindall been named an Associate and accepted a transition to a Leadership role at HCM Architects. Josh is an outstanding Architect that provides our clients with service at the highest level of thoughtfulness and dedication. Josh exhibits the best qualities of our profession.

Josh received his Masters of Architecture degree from the University of Minnesota in 2020. He joined HCM shortly after graduation with prior experience focused in Non-Profit Architecture & Design/Build initiatives emphasizing collaborative design. Josh is Well AP certified, and has spearheaded projects ranging from Recreational Park Facilities to Civic/Governmental Expansion and Technical Manufacturing project types. With nearly a decade of experience, Josh prioritizes establishing clear project visions through effective communication and integrated teamwork to deliver innovative solutions for our clients.

As an Associate, Josh will continue to strengthen his commitment to building strong client relationships and eagerly anticipates contributing the HCM’s future endeavors.

We are grateful to have Josh join our next Generation of Leadership. Please congratulate him on this important milestone in his career.

XCEL ENERGY SERVICE CENTER UPDATE

There was exciting progress out in Chanhassen on the Xcel Energy Service center. After many months of sitework the first precast panel was set this week. With one panel standing the new service center is officially out of the ground and should be enclosed within the coming weeks.

WELCOME CHRISTINA TO THE HCM TEAM

Christina has always been intrigued by the built environment and how people use and move throughout space. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 2022 and has been working as an architectural designer since. Christina aspires to further her education and become a licensed architect. She is excited to start at HCM to enhance her skills and knowledge alongside a talented group of architects.

Beyond her architectural pursuits, Christina is also an Engineer Officer in the Army National Guard. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, playing the piano, being outdoors, and spending time with her friends and family.

WELCOME TRAVIS TO THE TEAM

Travis graduated with a Master of Architecture from North Dakota State University in 2020 and has since worked on senior living and multi-family housing projects until joining HCM in 2024.

Seeking to diversify his design experience and knowledge through different project typologies. Travis has a great passion for architecture, understanding how significantly a person can be affected by their physical surroundings he finds much appreciation in positively impacting people’s lives through thoughtfully designed spaces and places.

Outside of work you can find him playing softball, volleyball, tossing around a frisbee, spending time with family, grabbing a beer with friends, or relaxing watching a good movie.

ST. CROIX COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER TOUR & HAPPY HOUR

Our HCM team had the opportunity to tour the St. Croix Government Center construction site today, as well as enjoy a late lunch at Lolo American Kitchen. The large project scope found in Hudson, Wisconsin, entails a total construction scope of about 330,000 SF.

We began the tour through the new 180,000 SF new addition, which includes a new double height front entrance to the existing building. Having most of the interior walls framed allowed the team to really visualize the definition of spaces of all the various programs within the building.

Josh led the tour providing insight on the overall design intent throughout the building. The team was able to view various progressive stages of construction, areas such as the Board Room, which still needed the help of renderings to point out use of space and materiality. While the Sheriff’s location, began showing paint colors on the wall and the installation of millwork cabinets.

PROVIDENCE DPW MOVES INTO SCHEMATIC DESIGN

In August Rowse Architects contacted HCM about joining a team to consult on an exciting new Public Works facility for the City of Providence, RI.  In September 2023, Rowse was awarded the contract for the new Providence Department of Public Works Complex. The facility will be pivotal in advancing the services and efficiency of the DPW’s operations.

ROWSE and HCM are working with the Providence Public Building Authority and key stakeholders to develop an innovative design for the City. This exciting new building will be a modern architectural punctuation mark on Allens Ave.

WINDOW FLASHING MOCK-UP LUNCH & LEARN

We recently had SIGA come in to provide a very hands on AIA accredited lunch and learn presentation. It was a pleasure having them engage with our team and sharing insights on overall building airtightness and moisture management.

During the presentation HCMers teamed into groups to develop their own window flashing mock-ups and get a better understanding of how they are constructed in the field.

THANK YOU TIM MCILWAIN!

Though many have already gotten word of this we wanted to just post a formal and informal Thank you! It is with mixed feelings and many congratulations that we announce the retirement of our beloved and much appreciated “M” in HCM Architects. Below we leave his parting message to all his friends and family:

Dear Friends of HCM Architects, Retirement is about reflection....

When I look back at almost 26 years of HCM Architects, I am proud, delighted, and thankful. Mostly thankful.

Thankful for the trust that our clients put in our abilities. Thankful for truly enjoying our work.

Thankful for the great relationships we have created.

HCM Architects was founded on a simple guiding philosophy by the three founding partners.

“ Provide creative ideas, exemplary services, treat people well and good things will happen.”

We have stayed true to this philosophy and indeed many good things have happened. HCM Architects is a great place to work and has successfully transitioned to being led by the next generation. I am very proud and delighted by this.

Retirement is about looking forward....

I look forward to doing more of what I enjoy.....without having to be back to work on Mondays! And of course, I will fly fish for trout.

To paraphrase Rober Traver:

“I fish, not because I regard fishing as being so terribly important, but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are equally unimportant and not nearly so much fun.”

It truly has been a pleasure working with all of you. I look forward to staying in touch.