W. L. Hall Company 30 Year Flashback

HGA's Enduring Design of the Minnesota History Center Embraces State's History

W. L. Hall Company 30 Year Flashback HGA's Enduring Design of the Minnesota History Center

Located near downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota, the Minnesota History Center is the headquarters of the Minnesota Historical Society, functioning as a museum and library. Widely regarded as one of the most impressive public buildings in the state, the center's exterior surface comprises copper, terra cotta, and Minnesota stone, which still exudes a timeless elegance and contemporary charm since its opening in 1992.


Visitors to the History Center can explore the fascinating stories, people, and places that shaped Minnesota through a diverse range of exhibits, educational programs, live performances, and interactive experiences. The museum features a captivating collection of permanent and changing exhibits, while the center hosts many concerts, lectures, family events, and other special occasions. The center's vaulted atrium is particularly noteworthy, drawing accolades for its stunning beauty decades after its construction.

W. L. Hall Company 30 Year Flashback HGA's Enduring Design of the Minnesota History Center 2

In 1985, the state of Minnesota staged a national competition for the design of a new building to house the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul.

The Minnesota History Center committee's design goals:

"We have envisioned a place that draws the public in, fires the imagination, and responds to its hunger for an understanding of the past."

The list was narrowed to five participating teams, including HGA — the only company from Minnesota to make the list. As a result of W. L. Hall Company's performance history, accomplishments, and collaboration with HGA on numerous successful projects together, HGA reached out to the W. L. Hall Company to team up with and assist with the design.

W. L. Hall Company 30 Year Flashback HGA's Enduring Design of the Minnesota History Center

The building is situated on a 10-acre site in St. Paul. It is surrounded by prominent landmarks such as the St. Paul Cathedral and the Minnesota State Capitol, making it highly visible from surrounding highways.
Designing the 420,000-square-foot center posed a significant challenge: it had to stand out while blending seamlessly with its surroundings.


๏ปฟHowever, W. L. Hall Company and HGA share a successful approach to projects involving careful research, active listening, and innovative solutions, which ultimately paid off on this project. After reviewing several proposals, the state of Minnesota selected HGA's design, and the firm was subsequently awarded the commission.

Minnesota Historical Society:


 "The Minnesota History Center is a stunning architectural landmark that pays tribute to our rich state history"

w. l. hall company premier exterior and exterior systems provider in the upper midwest glass and glazing mn history center

Contact us to let us know how we can help turn your custom design into reality on your next project."

w l hall company hga history center

More Space for More Care — Expansion at CentraCare Plaza in St. Cloud

By Ira Hackner • January 15, 2026
Here is a look at a current healthcare project we are actively working on, showcasing our expertise in complex glazing, interior systems, and construction coordination—the CentraCare Plaza Expansion in St. Cloud, Minnesota. We are collaborating closely with RSP Architects (Minneapolis) and McGough Construction (St. Paul) to help bring the CentraCare Plaza Expansion design to life. From the outset, their project teams carefully factored the complex functional and operational requirements of expanded outpatient and specialty care into the overall design, ensuring each building system supports both architectural intent and long-term performance.

A Ceiling System that Provides BOTH Light and Sound Attenuation

By Ira Hackner • January 7, 2026
For the executive conference room hallway at Boston Scientific Arden Hills, (Building 5, Floor 3) RSP Architects (Minneapolis) and Cobeck Construction (St. Paul) project teams established clear priorities from the outset: to create a visually striking, polished ceiling experience appropriate for a high-visibility executive corridor, while also providing effective acoustic sound absorption to control noise transfer from the adjacent conference room. We worked closely with the RSP and Cobeck project teams to bring their design goals to life through a refined, high-performing ceiling solution.

Two Recent Zona® LYNX Telescopic Glass Wall Projects Showcase Flexible Design

By Ira Hackner • December 18, 2025
We are pleased to highlight two recently completed ZONA® LYNX telescoping glass wall projects, each tailored to the specific functional demands of its space. Working closely with the architects involved, we helped bring each project's design vision to reality, delivering precision ZONA installations that support flexibility, transparency, and long-term performance across both professional office and high-traffic environments. Both projects feature 3/8" clear laminated glass with a clear anodized finish, providing a consistent balance of durability, safety, and refined aesthetics. Below is a brief overview of each project and the unique advantages the ZONA LYNX system brings to each application.

Glass & Glazing Project in Progress – Boston Scientific's Weaver Lake 4 Expansion

By Ira Hackner • December 11, 2025
We are fortunate to be engaged in a wide range of projects across the Upper Midwest at any given time—each one highlighting the diversity of systems and solutions we provide. Today, we’re pleased to spotlight one of the major glazing projects we are currently involved in: the Boston Scientific – Weaver Lake 4 Expansion. We are proud to be actively progressing on this expansion, delivering advanced glass and glazing solutions for a project that continues to elevate one of Minnesota's most impactful medical device campuses. Collaborating with HGA Architects (Minneapolis) and Ryan Companies Construction (Minneapolis), our team is helping turn their design intent into a fully engineered, constructable glazing system—one that delivers long-term performance, clean aesthetics, and exceptional durability for Boston Scientific.

Air Leakage Is a Silent Energy Killer. One Rolling Door Is Finally Addressing It Head-On

By Ira Hackner • November 21, 2025
Most building professionals know that air leakage is one of the biggest performance failures in commercial buildings. What is less understood is this: Air leakage doesn't move in only one direction. It can move inward (infiltration) or outward (exfiltration) — and each direction carries its own set of energy, comfort, and moisture-control consequences. Even worse, rolling doors have historically been among the weakest points of the building envelope.

Daylighting, Durability & Performance: Why the Thief River Falls Regional Airport Chose Kalwall

By Ira Hackner • November 14, 2025
Daylighting, Durability & Performance: Why the Thief River Falls Regional Airport Chose Kalwall

Four Xcel Energy Facilities: Powered by Kalwall

By Ira Hackner • November 7, 2025
We truly enjoyed working with HCM Architects (Minneapolis), TKDA Architects (Bloomington), Knutson Construction (Minneapolis), and McGough (St. Paul), who brought four new Xcel Energy service facilities — in Chanhassen, Onalaska (WI), St. Cloud, and St. Paul–Maplewood. We helped bring their design visions to life with Kalwall’s advanced translucent daylighting systems, which elevate energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and thermal performance.

AIA Minnesota Excellence in Design for Energy Award Lakewood Cemetery's Welcome Center

By Ira Hackner • October 30, 2025
AIA Minnesota Excellence in Design for Energy Award Lakewood Cemetery's Welcome Center

2025 Rethos Historic Rehabilitation Award Winner Landmark Tower Apartments (St. Paul) Conversion

By Ira Hackner • October 20, 2025
2025 Rethos Historic Rehabilitation Award Winner | Landmark Tower Apartments (St. Paul) Conversion

Innovative Daylighting Across Office and Warehouse: ๏ปฟKalwall Transforms Agralite’s HQ

By Ira Hackner • October 6, 2025
We were pleased to collaborate with Mohagen Hansen Architecture (Wayzata, MN) and Gardner Builders (Minneapolis) to bring their design vision for Agralite Electric Cooperative’s new 63,000-square-foot headquarters in Benson, MN, to life—featuring the innovative use of Kalwall® daylighting systems in both the office space and the warehouse.