General Information
Why is a new facility needed?
Our present facilities limit ASI’s ability to adequately and graciously serve its audiences. The historic Turnblad Mansion was not designed for such heavy public and operational use. Shifting retail, food services and collections storage to new spaces will reduce wear on the historic structure, and enable us to share “hidden” areas with our visitors. Current facilities do not provide proper conditions for collections and for visiting exhibits. Current facilities are not fully handicapped accessible.
The project consists of three major components, detailed below:
- The Nelson Cultural Center, a 34,000-square-foot addition named for benefactors Carl and Leslie Nelson;
- Renovations (10,000 sq. ft.) to the Turnblad Mansion’s lower level and adjacent areas; and,
- A new elevator and stair tower.
The project will improve accessibility, exhibition spaces, education classrooms, community event spaces, outdoor gardens, retail, café and gathering spaces.
What does the campus expansion project entail?
Renovations will focus upon the lower level. The Mansion itself will not be renovated above ground, but renovations will impact and touch the Mansion. The present auditorium, built in 1983, will become two classrooms, and a community hall with adjacent kitchen that will accommodate up to 100 persons for programs and meetings. Renovations will also create new restrooms and a volunteer gathering area. A portion of the lower level of the Turnblad Mansion will be restored to its near-original condition for use as an exhibit gallery. A significant added feature in the renovated areas will be a new library and archive. This will include a public reference room (in the current Viking Room) and adjacent library and archive storage.
Construction of the new elevator and stair tower will touch the Mansion on all three levels, but will result in minimal change to the Mansion’s interiors. The new tower will meet the Mansion on its west and least visible face. Windows will carefully be converted to doorways in the breakfast room, Gallery D (Lillian’s bed chamber), and the linen closet (collections storage), providing accessible entrances, safe egress, and improved air and heat circulation.
What will happen to the Kaffestuga?
The interior will be preserved as a gathering space for volunteers. The new expanded café will be just inside the entrance to the Nelson Cultural Center.
What features will make the completed buildings and campus handicap accessible?
The new building will be ADA-compliant from day one, and a new elevator and stair tower between the Mansion and carriage house will provide far easier and more dignified access to the three levels of the mansion and the lower level program space. In addition, two handicapped accessible restrooms will be added to the lower level.
What will happen to the mural in the Auditorium?
The Bengt Engman dalmålning-style mural is painted on a canvas backing, and can therefore be safely removed from its existing location. This beloved mural will be relocated to a visible, public area in the renovated lower level of the Mansion.
What will happen to the duplex at 2620 Park Avenue?
The duplex at 2620 Park Avenue will need to be removed from the site before construction begins. The structure will either be moved to another location or razed.
How will people enter ASI given the new building? Will people use the front door of the Mansion?
Visitors, staff and volunteers will enter ASI via the Nelson Cultural Center. From an operational, security, and accessibility standpoint, it is important that ASI manage one entrance and exit. Once visitors have checked in with the receptionist, they will still be able to enjoy the front gardens of the Mansion and make use of the Mansion’s front door. We plan to open the front gate to the Mansion for special events and festivals.
What new facilities will the Nelson Cultural Center provide?
Scheduled to open Summer 2012, the Nelson Cultural Center will include:
- a fully-equipped art gallery to house original and traveling exhibitions;
- a large studio and crafts workshop;
- an event space seating 325 for a lecture or concert or 200 for dinner;
- a flexible conference room for community gatherings;
- an expanded café;
- a new space for the museum shop
- storage for ASI’s three dimensional and art collections, and curatorial support areas;
- two commercial kitchens (for the café and for the event space); and,
- offices for Gustavus Adolphus College’s Twin Cities outreach initiatives.
How will the Nelson Cultural Center enhance ASI’s programming?
- An invitation to the community. The Nelson Cultural Center will provide an open, welcoming presence to growing audiences and the greater community, including the Phillips West neighborhood.
- Appropriate spaces for growing programs. A new event space, studio classroom, and conference room that are larger, more flexible, and naturally lit – will allow ASI to better accommodate current and future programs.
- Cultural business enterprises. New retail, café and rental spaces will support ASI’s operating budget.
- Sustainability. State-of-the-art heating, cooling and lighting strategies will minimize energy use while serving as a showcase for sustainability and as an educational destination.
Who are the architects for the project?
HGA (Hammel, Green and Abrahamson) Architects and Engineers of Minneapolis were selected in 2008 to design the American Swedish Institute’s campus enhancements. Lead HGA design team members are: Tim Carl (Design Principal); Nancy Blankfard (Project Architect); Andrew Weyenberg (Project Architect); and Michael Bjornberg (Project Manager/Historical Architect).www.hga.com
Have you named a general contractor?
September 2010, the Board of Trustees named Adolfson and Peterson Construction as General Contractor for the expansion project. Dave Herzberg is Senior Project Manager and Eric Thomsen is Superintendent.
Linking Generations, Linking Communities Capital Campaign
What is the campaign goal and how much has been raised to date? We’re still in a difficult economy – will it be a challenge to achieve the goal?
The Linking Generations, Linking Communities capital campaign has a goal of $21.5 million. To date, the American Swedish Institute has received $11 million in leadership gifts and pledges toward its fundraising goal for these projects. These donations and pledges come from supporters who reflect the broad geographic diversity of the Institute’s membership and donor base. Contributions come from as far west as California, from Sweden and, of course, from the ASI’s core audience here in the Upper Midwest. These early contributions clearly indicate that this project has been well-received by the community, which shares our aspirations to broaden the Institute’s capacity. A significant percentage of the Institute’s member/donor base has yet to be asked to contribute; a broad-based community fundraising effort will be launched in 2011. Financing is in place and we will break ground in Spring 2011. Our goal is to secure gifts and pledges for the entire $21.5 million by the time we dedicate the Nelson Cultural Center.
What funds were raised in the early phases of the campaign? How were they used?
Gifts to earlier phases of the capital campaign totaled $19 million and were used to:
- Restore the Turnblad Mansion veranda, solarium, and gardens;
- Purchase property (the south half of the block at 2600 Park Avenue);
- Begin landscaping the grounds and incorporate a 150-car surface parking area; and
- Add to ASI’s endowment.
Will the King and Queen be part of the grand opening or dedication of the Nelson Cultural Center?
H.M. Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, is the official patron of the American Swedish Institute. Together with Queen Silvia, he has visited the American Swedish Institute several times, most recently in October 2002, when the Royal Couple dedicated the gardens and celebrated the completion of major restoration work on the Turnblad mansion. ASI President and CEO Bruce Karstadt meets regularly in Stockholm with representatives of Their Majesties. It is clear from these conversations that the King and Queen are following the progress of ASI’s activities closely and are very interested in the successful completion of this effort. ASI will extend an invitation to the Royal Couple to take part in the dedication of the new campus when it is completed in 2012.
What can I do to help support ASI’s expansion project?
This project is strong due to the many committed and generous donors who have come forward with gifts of support. Please contact Christy Stolpestad, Director of Development, to find out how you can support the expansion project. Christy can be reached at christys@americanswedishinst.org or 612-870-3354.
Project Schedule and Impacts on Site
What is the construction timeline?
April 2011 – Groundbreaking, site work and construction begin for Nelson Cultural Center
May 2011 – Renovation of lower level of Turnblad Mansion begins, museum temporarily closes and many ASI activities are relocated to other sites in the community for the interim
November 2011 – Turnblad mansion reopens for Christmas season with renovated lower level and new elevator
March 2012 – Substantial completion of Nelson Cultural Center
April-May 2012 – Preparation of Nelson Cultural Center for public
June 2012 – Nelson Cultural Center opens to public
October 2012 – Dedication of new campus in presence of Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Sweden
NOTE: Dates and activities are subject to change.
Will ASI programs and activities be impacted by construction on the Nelson Cultural Center and other areas?
The construction period is projected to run from April 2011 to May 2012. During this time, the accessibility to buildings and parking lot will vary dependent on the phase of construction activity. Work on the new Nelson Cultural Center will be ongoing during that entire period. The existing lower level of the mansion will be entirely renovated. There will also be a stair and elevator tower constructed between the mansion and the carriage house to improve museum accessibility.
The Mansion will be closed to the public during the renovation period starting in May 2011 through October 2011. Offices will remain open during this time.
Why does the Mansion have to close?
ASI has worked with HGA and Adolfson and Peterson to examine all options for the building calendar with the primary goal to minimize impact on ASI activities. The best, most cost-effective and least disruptive decision, by far, was to focus on an intensive period of construction during summer 2011, when there are fewer ASI activities. ASI also needs to be open for Christmas 2011. The scenario arrived at means that most (though not all) ASI activities will be affected only for six months and then back in place in newly renovated spaces before the end of 2011.
Where will ASI activities be held during the construction period?
Before May 2011 and from November 2011 on, ASI will continue to operate on-site, with programs, exhibits, and a retail shop. ASI will continue to partner with other organizations throughout the community and will present programs and engage in outreach efforts throughout the construction period.
ASI is in conversation with staff at Lutheran Social Service’s (LSS) Center for Changing Lives at 2400 Park Avenue South as a preferred alternative offsite location for some of ASI’s displaced activities during the construction period. ASI staff will have more information to share on this option early in 2011. ASI will not host its own Midsommar event in June 2011 due to the construction project, but will instead have a presence at Svenskarnas Dag that month. We expect to host Midsommar again on the Institute grounds in June 2012, depending upon the timely completion of landscaping work.
How will parking be affected during the construction period?
The entire south end of the parking lot will remain available for parking during the entire construction period, and will become fully operational as the “new” and only parking area beginning February 2012.
From January to April 2011, parking will not be available in the “old” section of the parking lot (between 2620 Park Ave and mansion), except for a handful of disability parking spots along the stone wall to the south of the mansion (approximately in the current location). From May 2011 to October 2011, these disability parking spaces will be unavailable, but will again be available from November 2011 to January 2012. When the project is fully completed in June 2012, ASI will have a surface parking lot with a capacity for approximately 145 cars. Bicycle racks will also be increased, and ample disability parking will also be available.
Volunteering at ASI During and After Construction
How will volunteering at ASI change during the construction period?
From May 2011 through June 2012 (Turnblad Mansion closed to the public)
During this time, regular volunteer positions related to the museum will be temporarily discontinued. However, there are a number of new volunteer needs during this period. These tasks will include:
- working at a visitor check-in area to provide information for drop-in visitors who did not know the museum was closed;
- giving staff support on various office projects, assisting with offsite programs and activities; and
- participating in offsite training sessions to begin to learn about new volunteer responsibilities when we re-open the Mansion.
In addition, ASI volunteers will be invited to serve as “ASI Ambassadors” by participating in some group volunteer opportunities with local organizational partners, such as other museums or nonprofit organizations. Volunteer and Visitor Services Coordinator Kara Hedlund plans to work with volunteers to be sure they are matched with appropriate activities during the time the museum is closed from May 2011 through October 2011.
May 2011 through October 2011 The Turnblad Mansion will be closed to the public for major renovations to the lower level and to build an elevator and stair tower to provide much needed access to all levels of the museum.
During this time, regular volunteer positions related to the museum will be temporarily discontinued. However, there are a number of new volunteer needs during this period. These tasks will include:
- working at a visitor check-in area to provide information for drop-in visitors who did not know the museum was closed;
- giving staff support on various office projects, assisting with offsite ASI programs and activities;
- and participating in offsite training sessions to begin to learn about new volunteer responsibilities when we re-open the mansion.
In addition, ASI volunteers will be invited to serve as “ASI Ambassadors” by participating in some group volunteer opportunities with local organizational partners, such as other museums or nonprofit organizations. Kara Hedlund, the Volunteer Coordinator, plans to work with volunteers to be sure they are matched with appropriate activities during the time the museum is closed from May 2011 through October 2011.
November 2011 through May 2012 (Turnblad Mansion open, Nelson Cultural Center under construction)
Volunteers once again will help serve the public in the museum. Training sessions will be held for new volunteer assignments that will begin after the Nelson Cultural Center opens in June 2012.
June 2012 and after (Construction completed)
The expansion project is completed and volunteers will work throughout the Mansion and Nelson Cultural Center.
How will volunteering at ASI change after the expansion project is complete?
Some volunteer responsibilities will remain almost the same, but will move to new locations in the expanded campus. Some positions will have responsibilities that will vary slightly to adjust to new traffic flow and procedures with our expanded campus. Most volunteers will have the opportunity to choose whether to continue to volunteer in the areas they have volunteered in the past, or try different positions that are the result of new needs or activities at ASI.
How many more volunteers will you need if you are expanding the campus? Will you be able to get enough volunteers to operate?
We anticipate there may be a slight increase in the number of volunteers needed for the expanded campus, but we also anticipate some efficiencies will be created with our new layout. Our volunteer department has been actively recruiting and will continue to recruit new volunteers to support the ASI programs and services. We also anticipate that greater visibility in the community and excitement for the new building will actually drive many new volunteers to ASI. For these reasons we are confident that the volunteer base will continue to be strong and will support ASI’s needs.
Further questions about how construction and the transitional period will affect volunteers can be directed to Kara Hedlund, 612-870-3357 or karah@americanswedishinst.org.
Building and Campus Design
How does the Nelson Cultural Center (NCC) design complement the Turnblad Mansion?
In scale, material, layout and geometry, the Nelson Cultural Center both defers to and holds a dialogue with the Turnblad Mansion.
- When approaching by car from Park Avenue, the contemporary NCC “bows” to the Turnblad Mansion, with a lower profile and a form and massing that serves as a gentle counterpoint to the Minneapolis “castle.”
- Once inside, visitors will find that the NCC serves as a kind of “display case” for the Mansion by encircling a courtyard with glass windows that allow the visitor to view and appreciate the old building from the new.
- The grand windows on the Nelson Cultural Center are designed to borrow from the 45 degree angles of the Turnblad Mansion, especially its Park Avenue façade.
- Glass, stone, tile and wood in the NCC reference the same materials found in the Turnblad Mansion.
- Finally, the new stair/elevator tower at the west side of the Mansion will touch it as gently as possible and with minimal disruption, both from an exterior aesthetic perspective and out of preservation concerns for the interior.
What aspects of the design reflect Swedish aesthetics?
The design of the Nelson Cultural Center references Swedish design with:
- Generous natural light throughout, enhanced by light surfaces.
- Significant use of wood for interior paneling.
- Custom touches unusual outside of Sweden, such as leather handrails for the central staircase.
- An exterior skin that borrows color and texture from the rooftops of Stockholm.
- Furnishings inspired by the modern yet classic pieces for which the Nordic countries are known.
- Artwork and textiles, including a commissioned piece by Helena Hernmarck that will hang in the central lobby area.
How does the landscaping design reflect Swedish landscapes and vegetation?
In Sweden, the short summer season means that outdoor spaces become treasured retreats to enjoy sun, meals, games, and just wandering among the greenery. The design for the Nelson Cultural Center gardens reflects the Swedish people’s love of the outdoors with gravel paths that link a central courtyard to other outdoor “rooms.” Birches, beloved in the Nordic countries, welcome visitors to the building and frame the site. The site will adopt the balance found in Swedish landscapes between groomed and wild areas, with linear plantings meeting a flower bed which evokes an open field. Those who have visited Sweden will recognize the use of wild roses and edible berries.
What features of the design make this a sustainable or “green” building?
Because ASI now owns the entire block on which the Turnblad mansion is situated, our architects and engineers have had the flexibility to employ an array of conservation and sustainability measures. These include a geothermal heating and cooling system; a 7,000 square foot green roof; extensive landscaping with native plants; sustainable building materials and low-emission interior finishes; water and energy conservation technologies; and many others.
The Nelson Cultural Center has been registered for LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Efficient Design) certification with the U.S. Green Building Council. The project is currently tracking at the Gold Level.
What is a green roof?
A green roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems.
Also known as “living roofs,” green roofs serve several purposes, such as reducing stormwater runoff, filtering pollutants out of the air and rainwater, providing insulation for a building (and thus reducing energy consumption), extending the life span of the roof, creating a habitat for wildlife, and helping to lower urban air temperatures and combat the heat island effect.
For More Information
For updated information on the Expansion Project, please visit ASI’s web site at:
http://www.americanswedishinst.org/ASI/Campus_Expansion.html
Who should I go to with further questions about the expansion as they come up?
Volunteering Questions: Kara Hedlund at 612-870-3357 or karah@americanswedishinst.org
Program and Exhibit Questions: Nina Clark at 612-870-3351 or ninac@americanswedishinst.org
Parking questions and directions to off-site events: 612-871-4907 or info@americanswedishinst.org
Capital Campaign: Christy Stolpestad at 612-870-3354 or christys@americanswedishinst.org
All other questions: Peggy Korsmo-Kennon at 612-870-3379; or peggykk@americanswedishinst.org