Architects’ favorite architecture

Area architects share their favorite buildings

Josh Muckenhirn ARCHITECT ISG SIOUX FALLS, S.D.

All facilities in the built environment inspire some kind of emotional response, and two of the buildings that have had the greatest impact on me would be Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel at the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., and St. John’s Abbey at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn.

Both of these are much more than buildings providing usable space; they are an experience. When I first walked through each of these buildings, I was surprised at how emotional – even humbling – the experience was.

I’m drawn to the native prairie landscapes of North and South Dakota. There’s something peaceful about the landscapes of this region that sets it apart from other states.

The built environment won’t always have that powerful of an effect on people, but it is important to realize and appreciate that a building can and should have a positive emotional impact on its occupants.

As a landscape architect, I plan and design outdoor projects that incorporate architectural structures into the natural environment. So, on projects in the Dakotas, I try to incorporate the prairie into my designs – even in more urban settings. Unfortunately, the prairie ecosystem is one of the most endangered in the world, having been reduced to about 1 percent of its original area. So, it’s important to design spaces that embrace the natural landscape.

Nature also has a calming effect on people, which is especially important when we get caught up with work and other everyday concerns. Connections to nature help us feel better, and that’s inspiring from a design perspective.

Wayne Dietrich COO/ARCHITECT EAPC ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS FARGO, N.D.

There are many buildings that influenced me to become an architect. If I had to choose one that I marvel at and make visits to, it is St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Port Washington, Wis.

As a child, I spent two weeks every summer with my grandparents in Wisconsin, and we frequently went to Port Washington to go fishing on Lake Michigan. St. Mary’s Catholic Church is the major focal point from Lake Michigan, and looking north from the downtown Main Street in Port Washington, the church is centered in your view.

Because of its strong presence, it’s a building you remember. The church is located on a hill, and to make a visit from downtown, you endure a very lengthy stairway. From my experience, it’s the best way to make a visit. Once at the top of the stairs, and a little out-of-breath, you look up and realize how massive the church is and start to see all the impressive limestone detailing. Built in 1884, the building makes one wonder: How did they build such a large and beautiful church?

While at the Wisconsin Dells this past summer, my daughter, who’s in architecture at North Dakota State University, made the two-hour trip to visit Port Washington. I believe she was also influenced by St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Paul Breiner

As a kid, well before I knew I wanted to be an architect, I found the Manhattan Building in Bismarck fascinating.

The first thing that attracted me to it was the columns. They were not buried in walls or otherwise hidden, but made a feature of the building.

The simple repetition of these columns organizes the entire building and creates such a dynamic feeling in the space. And the way they climb and flare is a great example of how concrete can take nearly any shape.

Infilling windows between the columns creates the exterior wall; so, even though the building is concrete, there is an amazing airiness and lightness about it.

This building taught me that a space can be much more than a floor, walls and roof. To this day, the Manhattan Building is one of my favorites in the region. It still inspires me 30-plus years after discovering it.

Ryan Anderson

ARCHITECTURE MANAGER/SENIOR ARCHITECT

ACKERMAN-ESTVOLD BISMARCK, N.D.

Historic buildings have always caught my eye. Two buildings that come to mind are the Soo Line Depot and St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, both in Minot, N.D., and built in the early 1900s.

They’ve withstood the test of time, and the detail and craftsmanship are a wonder to look at. I’ve always been amazed by the level of detail in these buildings and the presence they command at the street.

I’ve got three of them.

I grew up in a really little town – Wimbledon, N.D., pop. about 250. And only one building was ever built in that town during the whole time I was there.

It was the new Methodist Church, and it’s really nothing significant architecturally, compared to a lot of work in North Dakota. But the process of watching it go up – I was maybe 15, so it was a formative time, and I watched it every day. It just fascinated me, so that one certainly had influence.

Another is the Cass County Courthouse expansion, which I got to know when I worked in Fargo. The project added onto this old historic courthouse, but the architects didn’t try to outdo the building. It’s clearly a project of the 80s, but they kept the same colors, the same traditions and so on. And the building looks better with the additions than it did before.

The last is the North Dakota Capitol. I have always just loved our Capitol – it’s so stark and simple, and that whole style of Art Deco architecture has influenced me my entire life.

I know the story: the building got streamlined and stripped down not really from a design standpoint, but because North Dakota didn’t have any money.

But even that resonated with me: you don’t have to spend a lot of money to look really good. In fact, the lack of money may actually have been a design asset for that project.

And that building has just influenced me, even to the point where it affected my decision to run for office. It is by far the most influential building that I’ve ever been around.

I just admire how it represents the people who live here. It’s not extravagant, it’s simple, it’s extremely efficient, but it’s so well done. It still commands great respect when you go in there. I just love it.

How craftsman of that generation could construct such works of art from a sliver of the drawings that we typically find in today’s projects is amazing. It’s a testament to the positive results of what happens when timeless design intersects with skilled craftsmen.

What really got me into the profession was that my grandfather was a pretty accomplished carpenter for a farmer, and my dad was as well, and they were always working on buildings. We did extensive work converting old manger-style barns into a modern dairy barn. And we did all this work ourselves.

That got me interested in building and construction and that sort of thing.

Then when I was young, we would go into the Minot area; and at a pretty young age in 1971-72, I watched them build the Milton R. Young Towers in Minot, right across from the Medical Arts building. That was a significant building for anyone in North Dakota at that time.

If my mom was going for an appointment, I just stayed in the car (as everyone did in those days!), and I watched them build that building. It really intrigued me.

Then, once I got my architectural education, I audited a study tour of European architecture. Instead of going right to work, I went to Europe for the summer.

Alan Dostert PRESIDENT AND CEO EAPC ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS FARGO, N.D.

And when I was over there, I saw one of the most fabulous pieces of architecture I’ve ever seen in my life. It is the Pilgrimage Church in Ronchamp, France, by Le Corbusier.

He was just a master of the play and light and shadow, both on the outside of the building and on the inside. I’ve seen a lot of buildings and studied thousands of them, and that one was just like, “Wow.” Breathtaking. That was really the pinnacle of architecture that I’ve personally visited in my life.

Lonnie Laffen PRESIDENT AND CEO, JLG ARCHITECTS STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 43 GRAND