Just as cold weather arrived, the steel for our Astral Technology project arrived. We’ve been erecting the steel frame work for the addition for the past week or so. It often is like working with a giant Erector set---but with large equipment….

One of the tricky parts of any addition is creating a connection between the existing building and the new building. In this case the addition is 2’ taller than the present structure. This makes it a bit easier for us to connect the two structures together.

We should have the metal skin on the frame and be enclosed before long. Fortunately, we were able to lay the concrete floor in the building while we enjoyed our warm November weather earlier in the month.

Posted by Ray Cox at 4:19 AM | Link

 
We are just about finished up with our project in Red Wing at the Maginnis High School in the correctional facility. The work mainly involved renewing finishes in the building and other upgrades. With new light fixtures in the hallways the lighting was greatly improved.

We cleaned the existing lockers and painted them, which was an economical way to freshen things up.

The classrooms received new ceilings, lighting, carpet and painting, creating a very nice environment for school work. New white boards and tack boards were installed by others, and communication wiring is being extened.

Whenever I'm at this project I am impressed with the condition of the buildings and grounds. The staff does an excellent job taking care of the facility. From time to time the young men in the facility help out with projects, learning skills as they work.

Posted by Ray Cox at 11:56 AM | Link

 
Last week we started work on a new building for Guth Electric. We have worked with Guth Electric on many projects over the years and it is nice to work with them on their new shop-office facility.

The foundation and below grade insulation has been installed, and the foundation backfilled. Underground plumbing and related work is being installed now. It is great to have such mild weather to work on projects like this.

One thing we know.....the electrical work shouldn't hold up any part of the project!

Posted by Ray Cox at 5:40 AM | Link

 
If you are a regular reader of this website you know that Northfield Construction Company takes on projects of all sizes and shapes. We have a very talented workforce that efficiently and safely handles a variety of tasks.

Recently we completed a fun little project for a client. She wanted a roof protection over a rear entry door. When locking and unlocking the door during rainy and snowy weather she would get drenched---a roof overhang was in order. We worked with the owner to come up with a design that functions well and looks good. She now has good protection at her entry stoop.

While this was a small project, it was handled at the same professional level as one of our larger projects. Client satisfaction remains our number one concern---and this client is very happy with the finished product.

Posted by Ray Cox at 5:48 AM | Link

 
We have started carpentry work on a nice garage addition in Northfield. Last month we installed the foundation and floor, and graded the site. The owners have an existing one-car garage that ties in very nicely to their older home. Rather than demolish the garage and tuck a new garage back in the corner of the lot the owners decided to add on to the existing garage.

We worked out details to create a small set back on the front and rear walls. This helps to prevent the garage from becoming too large a structure on the lot. Even a 6” jog in a wall brakes up the wall plane enough to create contrast and interest. Instead of tearing off the existing roof and creating one new roof over the whole garage structure we are adding a gable roof turned into the existing roof. This creates a couple of roof valleys, again helping to keep the garage in scale.

We will install narrow clapboard siding, wood overhead doors, windows with muntin dividers, etc. to match existing architectural features. I really appreciate working with clients that care about construction details and want to do what they can to create a balanced, well planned structure. When working in older neighborhoods it is so nice to see structures that match the area….not new garages with mismatched siding and windows that clearly look out of place.

Posted by Ray Cox at 11:35 AM | Link

 
Work has moved along well on a new Subway restaurant we are constructing in Faribault. The exterior stucco and masonry brick work is just being completed. The building looks a bit 'plain' right now, but when the stucco color coating, window awning, etc. are installed it will really look great.

This building is located right across from the Starbucks coffee shop we built last year. We did much of the site work at that time, so the construction of the Subway has moved along very quickly. The Subway has a drive-up window, so with quick freeway access it should have great business. Stay tuned for the grand opening.

Posted by Ray Cox at 10:08 AM | Link

 
Work has moved along well on a new Subway restaurant we are constructing in Faribault. The exterior stucco and masonry brick work is just being completed. The building looks a bit 'plain' right now, but when the stucco color coating, window awning, etc. are installed it will really look great.

This building is located right across from the Starbucks coffee shop we built last year. We did much of the site work at that time, so the construction of the Subway has moved along very quickly. The Subway has a drive-up window, so with quick freeway access it should have great business. Stay tuned for the grand opening.

Posted by Ray Cox at 10:08 AM | Link

 
We recently started work on an addition for Astral Technology Unlimited in Northfield. Astral Technology is a company that manufactures flexible membrane products for a variety of clients. We originally constructed their facility for them in 1999. It is great to know that a business like this in Northfield is growing and adding capabilities to their product line.



The excavation work started last week…..

As we do on many projects, we used a concrete pump to place the concrete for the footings…..

Next the metal forms are in place for the foundation walls…..

With the walls poured and in place.

The weather has been very good to us! We hope to get the foundation backfilled and most of the site work completed before winter weather truly arrives.

Posted by Ray Cox at 8:53 AM | Link

 
We just finished up work on a very nice historical house in Faribault. The stone home had a small garage that was not part of the original house construction. It didn't tie in with the home well and the owners decided to replace it. They made the new garage slightly larger, but incorporated architectural features to tie the garage to the home. The end result is a great looking garage on this beautiful older home.

Gary Hanson with Prairie Creek Architects handled the architectural work for the project. The new garage has a strucural concrete ceiling that doubles as a patio on the top surface. The patio is contained by a wall topped with ornamental iron work and a copper cap.

Part of the patio is covered with an open trellis which should provide some filtered sunlight during the warm summer months.

People often say it is the details that make a project----that is definitely true with this project. The attention to details of the woodwork, stonework and scale makes it a good fit for the neighborhood and the historic home.

It was a pleasure working with the architect and owners on this fun project. Chris Smisek in our office was the project manager for the work. He did a fine job working on a very tight site and incorporating lots of special details into the work.

Posted by Ray Cox at 3:57 AM | Link

 
Last Saturday evening Ellen and I attended the Laura Baker Services ‘Diamond Gala’ event. This is one of the best evening events in Northfield. It is a fundraiser for Laura Baker Services, but is done so well it is thoroughly enjoyed by all who attend it.

This is the tenth year Laura Baker Services has put on the Gala event and it was sold out. There were about 200 area residents at the Gala, held at the Grand Event Center in Northfield. Northfield Construction Company was a table sponsor again this year, along with 19 other area individuals and businesses.

Laura Baker Services is an organization that helps individuals with mental disorders. Their mission statement says “Our mission is to respect the life choices and dreams of people with developmental disabilities and help them reach their goals.” They do a wonderful job supporting and helping people. During the evening we were entertained by the first performance of the Laura Baker Choir. The Northfield Youth Choir’s Musical Theater Workshop joined the Laura Baker Choir in singing one number.

There were many great silent auction items for people to bid on during the evening. There also were some wonderful live auction items, including a dinner party for eight with Carleton College President Rob Oden and his wife Teresa, tickets to a Minnesota Wild hockey game, use of a Florida vacation home for a week, etc. The auction items raised significant funds for Laura Baker Services.

The Laura Baker Services Gala has turned into something Ellen and I won’t miss. It is rewarding to provide support for this local care facility, meet new residents, chat with family and friends of Laura Baker, and have a good time with people that want to provide help and support for this segment of our society.

Posted by Ray Cox at 4:13 AM | Link