Studio
COEN + PARTNERS
established: 1992 city and neighborhood:
Minneapolis Warehouse District NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 10 coenpartners.com
Award-winning landscape architect Shane Coen takes time out from his work on the Nicollet Mall design team to talk shop WHAT YOU DO: Site design, master planning, programming, and project administration for urban, green roof, rural, and multi-scale residential, institutional, and commercial projects. HOW YOU DO IT: We expose and enhance in-situ systems while highlighting the architectural or site concept through site-specific materials, deferential textures, and strong geometries. DESCRIBE YOUR STUDIO SPACE IN 140 CHARACTERS OR LESS: Light, white, and artfilled with a singular, central table that promotes collaboration. DECIBEL LEVEL: Average, but I always prefer when music is playing. EXCITED ABOUT working with James corner field operations on NICOLLET MALL (PAGE 64)? Extremely. The project is in very creative and competent hands. WHAT’S JAMES CORNER LIKE? Dry,
witty, strategic, and highly talented. I’ve known Jim for a long time.
Brandon Stengel, Assoc. AIA/FarmKidStudios.com
FAVORITE NEARBY HAPPY HOUR: Saffron Restaurant & Lounge. We’re big fans of their bubbles and appetizers. RECENT BRUSHES WITH CELEBRITY: We recently interviewed with Jason Bateman and
Amanda Anka for their house in the Hollywood Hills, as well as with producer and NY Giants owner Steve Tisch. PAST PROJECT YOU LIKE TO VISIT THE MOST: Our work keeps getting stronger, so the answer changes every year. Two recent residential projects—in Wayzata and Chicago’s Wicker Park—are my current favorites. I will forever love our long bench in front of the Minneapolis Central Library.
A visit to Coen + Partners’ airy Warehouse District studio is like a visit to a Chelsea art gallery—except dogs are welcome.
March/April 2014
Architecture Minnesota
13