Cobalt Condominuums by Pope Associates

IIDA student presentation, November 14, 2008, U of M MeNeal Hall

Steve Doughty, Pope Architects by LuAnne Zilka, IIDA Director of Student Affiars

The second in a series of four IIDA “Student Only” programs was held at McNeal Hall on the U of M, St. Paul campus November 14, 2007.  IIDA student members had the pleasure of listening to Architect Steve Doughty from Pope Architects give a presentation on the design process from start to finish of the Colbalt Condominium project which is near downtown Minneapolis in the St. Anthony Falls neighborhood.  The project started in June 2004 and took 2 years to finish.  He also stayed later to answer the student’s questions about landing that first design job.

Steve started the presentation focusing on the following pieces of the Colbalt Condominium project:

• Branding and Sales
• Marketability
• Location
• Mixed Use
• Building Design

Branding and Sales:  The branding of the name came from the sales team.  This was accomplished early in the process due to needing it for future sales of the condominiums.  The unique image was colored in deep blue in part to reflect the all glass building.  The blue logo (roughly a unique, round, blue shape) was also painted on the side walk outside of the building.

Marketability:  The marketing of the condos included researching how many 1,2, and 3 bedroom units to build.  Originally, most of the finishes were that of a hard shell loft.  This direction soon changed so that the residents of were able to choose and customize from a variety of floor plan options.

Location:  The location is in the St. Anthony Falls area bordering Hennepin Ave, University Ave, 14th Street and Central.  The units have walls of windows with skyline views of the Mississippi River and downtown Minneapolis.

Mixed Use:  This project was unique in that there is a Lund’s grocery store on the first level.  There is additional retail (totaling 40,000 sq ft), housing, and a parking structure.  The residents have separate entrances from those of the retail area.

Building Design:  The building design is of a curtain wall glass system.  The structure used pre-cast concrete trusses which saved at least $1 in construction costs.  There are 2 towers, 10 stories high.  The floor plans are different from floor to floor.  There are 20 different unit types.  The condos range in price from $250,000 to $3 million.

The students then questioned this seasoned architect on advice about landing that first design position.  Steve’s advice is to be willing to do anything and give more than what your employer expects.  Be sure to use smart design, be aggressive, fresh and optimistic.

For more information about the Colbalt Condominiums, check out the Pope Architects website at www.popearch.com/portfolio/projects