This project was the planned phase II addition to Target Corporation's Midwest distribution center.  The original building was a one million square foot facility, designed and built in the mid 1990's by the same design/build team.

Oertel Architects joined JE Dunn Construction (formerly Witcher Construction) and BKBM Engineers on this 500,000 square foot, fast track project.  This large project was planned, designed, built and turned over to the owner in less than one year.

The project is essentially an efficient warehouse with support areas, loading areas and storage.  Precast concrete panels were used as the exterior load bearing material with a steel frame internally.  Both structural concrete double Ts and flat panels were used for the walls.

The firm also designed the landscape berm that faces the highway, considered an important element to the image-conscious city.  Fire department access and exiting were retained while providing a heavily landscaped earth berm to partially conceal the building.  Cooperation and careful coordination were vital as the architect/builder met both the city's goals and Target's project cost requirements.

The team made subtle changes to details on this addition in an attempt to refine the design.  It was the team's goal to make the facility as functional as possible, and for operations to be as efficient as possible.  For example, the pedestrian rails along the sloped entrances were modified to minimize damage from back-up truck traffic.