Heritage Center Expansion | Video

Retha Colclasure | 12/14/2012

Work on the expansion at the North Dakota Heritage Center is nearing the end. Construction started in the spring of 2011 and is expected to be complete by this spring. One part of the construction is turning heads this week.

It`s big, it`s strange and it`s kind of odd-looking. But just what is it? A teepee? A grain bin? Or something else?

Well, that`s kind of the point, explain architects working on the Heritage Center expansion project.

What it is, is an eye-catching feature over the new entryway to the building.

"One of the goals of the project was to re-orient the entry of the Heritage Center to address State Street, to have more of a presence to the community. As part of that we`re trying to create an iconic signature element that`s memorable, that`s the heart and soul of the building. That`s what this structure represents," said Todd Kraft with the project design team.

The glass-and-steel atrium will let in light and be a beacon out to the city, with interior lights that will replicate the northern lights.

"The box will be clad in glass, be illuminated from within," Kraft said.

He says what`s shaping up in reality is even better than how it looked as a concept drawing.

"As the materials continue to show up and be installed, the rest of the stone, copper, glass. Everybody will start to see how dynamic this building will be."

Construction on the expanded building will be complete in May and exhibits will then begin moving in. The entire project is expected to be open to the public by November of next year.

Kraft says once complete, the whole experience of the Heritage Center will be different. He says the Historical Society will have room to put their full collection on display.

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