UMN Plant Growth Research Facility

Located on the St. Paul Campus, this 12,000 SF greenhouse addition was built for the Plant Growth Facilities West Greenhouse District for the College of Biological Sciences Conservatory. Driven by pioneering design initiatives, this greenhouse was the first of its kind, merging research and a designated public conservatory space under one same roof. The project’s success hinged heavily on Loeffler’s coordination to support phasing near occupied spaces and the extensive number of mechanical and building infrastructure tie-ins required to support the new addition.

The new greenhouse features four separate biome environments fully furnished with state-of-the-art greenhouse technologies and modern temperature, humidity, and lighting controls that are interfaced with the master greenhouse campus control systems.

The project experienced a 6% inflation rate in the six months between Schematic Design and Guaranteed Maximum Pricing (GMP) which stressed an already over budget project. Loeffler led the team in uncovering possible value engineering items for consideration and proposed $1.5M worth of options. The project team quickly came to decisions and the project remained on schedule and on budget.