Vesterheim Museum & Folk Art School (Decorah, IA) Project

Vesterheim Museum & Folk Art School (Decorah, IA) Project

Vesterheim is a renowned Norwegian-American museum and folk art school located in NE Iowa. It features an impressive assemblage of over 33,000 Norwegian artifacts within both it's main building and 12 additional, well-preserved, historic buildings.

We collaborated with BNIM Architects, Snohetta Architects, and McGough Construction on this amazing project. One of the primary design goals was to reduce the visibility of metal framing, ensuring that the digital art glass and wood trim takes center stage in the project's visual presentation.

To achieve a "no metal" aesthetic as desired by the architects, we fastened our glazing system directly onto LVL beams. CR Laurence Entice exterior doors and CRL all-glass interior doors were also utilized on the project.


These components were carefully selected to create an almost entirely glass exterior entrance. As you can see in the video below, it was definitely a team effort getting the larger lites of glass in place!

Request Free Consultation
w l hall company portfolio

Do you have an unusual or non-standard design objective for your next project? If so, please let us know how we can help you achieve your next one-of-a-kind design.

w l hall company
By Ira Hackner June 6, 2025
Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center's (Duluth) new high-performance façade system at the Level 6 - Inpatient Entrance.
By Ira Hackner June 6, 2025
A Brighter Future for West Minnehaha Recreation Center
By Ira Hackner May 19, 2025
In collaboration with BWBR Architects (St. Paul) and Knutson Construction (Minneapolis), our team brought their design vision to reality for the comprehensive glass and glazing renovation at the University of Minnesota's Shepherd Laboratory. This project was strategically designed to: Transform the research and instructional environments spanning floors 3-5 Enhance thermal performance via contemporary glazing solutions and advanced curtain wall technology Foster a dynamic atmosphere conducive to collaboration and adaptable work arrangements Elevate the visual character and architectural presence of the building Embrace environmentally responsible design practices, including specialized bird-friendly glass treatments
By Ira Hackner May 8, 2025
Marlite Artizan Max Defense FRP Panels | Taking Durability and Design to a Higher Level
By Ira Hackner April 25, 2025
Due to our "challenging" winter weather conditions, building maintenance professionals frequently schedule glass atrium and curtainwall repair initiatives when spring arrives. Among our current projects in this category are the 1550 Utica Avenue Tower (St. Louis Park), Glass Atrium Roof rehabilitation, and the restoration of curtainwall components at Reflections Condominiums (Bloomington).
By Ira Hackner April 9, 2025
Crowe Construction (St. Louis Park) contacted us about replacing the skylights at Artistry on 10th, a modern luxury apartment complex. The existing skylights were extremely leaky, aesthetically unappealing, had poor opacity, and failed to meet current-day structural requirements. They allowed minimal natural light to enter the space, provided little comfort or functionality, and were energy inefficient.
By Ira Hackner March 28, 2025
Through a strategic collaboration with ESG Architecture (Minneapolis) and Kraus-Anderson Construction (Minneapolis), we provided the exterior glazing on The Larking—a landmark 16-story development redefining urban residential spaces in Minneapolis.
By Ira Hackner March 19, 2025
The owner of Vadnais Heights Commons reached out to us to address issues with their existing glass skylights, which were failing structurally, causing excessive heat buildup, and experiencing persistent leaks.
By Ira Hackner March 7, 2025
OK, we admit it's not exactly an Oscar. When Accenture needed a smartly designed space that allowed natural light to flow through while ensuring the right level of visual and acoustic privacy they turned to Modernfold.
By Ira Hackner February 26, 2025
We're excited to share the results of two, recent commercial skylight projects in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. Our innovative skylight systems help enhance natural light, boost energy efficiency, and create brighter, more comfortable spaces for occupants.
More Posts