January 01, 2014
LaDouceur Architecture & Design established 2009.
Previous Barbour/LaDouceur Design Group work may be viewed here.
Email Janis LaDouceur Contact us: 612.760.1643
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Public Architecture – Light Rail Stations
Light Rail Stations, Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro Area, Minnesota
In order to bring a strong sense of ownership to everyone using the stations, the Metropolitan Council asked for each Hiawatha Light Rail Station, (now called the Blue Line), to be designed to reflect the unique personality of the neighboring communities. Five architecture firms teamed to provide design variations using a common “kit of parts”. Each station is like a “charm on a bracelet”, telling its own unique story. My responsibility was the design of the Government, Franklin and Bloomington Central Stations.
In 2009 we were part of a team that designed extensions to the stations to accommodate three cars instead of two.
Awards:
Federal Highway Administration’s Excellence in Highway Design Award - Intermodal Transportation 2004
Email Janis LaDouceur Contact us: 612.760.1643
| Tags: Bloomington Central Station, Franklin Station, Govenment Station, Hiawatha Light Rail, Public Architecture - Light Rail Stations, The Blue Line LRT | More: Uncategorized
Corporate Architecture
The Nicollet was a 56 story high rise Condominium building to be constructed at 10th and Nicollet in Minneapolis, MN. It was to be the toast of the town, situated along the walking mall between Orchestra Hall’s Peavey Plaza, and the famous IDS in Minneapolis’s commercial and financial district.
The Janus faced design reflected it’s location wearing a stiff stone clad suit and glass tie facing the financial district, and a playful ruffle of glass balconies as it overlooked Orchestra Hall. A glowing steel arc bisected the faces, as though the joyful face was swooping into it’s work day partner.
Emporis.com records the following facts:
- This would have become one of the tallest buildings in the world principally designed by a female architect: Janis LaDouceur.
- This would have become the tallest building in Minneapolis designed primarily by a locally-based architectural firm.
- At the time it was announced, only New York, Chicago, and Miami had taller residential-only buildings in the United States.
Email Janis LaDouceur Contact us: 612.760.1643
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Green Architecture
The Science House at the Science Museum of Minnesota is designed to produce more energy than it uses on an annual basis. It generates all of its energy needs from its 8.8 kilowatt photovoltaic metal roof. A ground-source heat pump uses the Earth’s thermal energy to heat & cool. It also serves as a Teacher’s Resource Center for public school teachers, and event space for the Science Museum’s outdoor Science Park, The Big Backyard. More SCIENCE HOUSE – GREEN ARCHITECTURE
Awards:
Minnesota Environmental Initiative Award “Energy “2004
NEEBA Excellence in Building Award - The Energy & Environmental Building Association, 2003
Email Janis LaDouceur Contact us: 612.760.1643
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Museums
Telling the stories, the toils the hopes and the triumphs of our generations, this is my art. Interpretive Museums let me create a sculpture to foreshadow the story told inside. Above is the Richard I. Bong WWII Heritage Center in Superior, WI. It tells the story of America’s Ace of Aces. He is one man celebrated to symbolize everyone who toiled and sacrificed for their country.
In my heart, I designed this for my father, Leo LaDouceur, a 101st Screaming Eagle, who was shot and paralyzed on Operation Market Garden into Arnhem, Netherlands.
Email Janis LaDouceur Contact us: 612.760.1643
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Native American Architecture
Birch logs laying in the forest or ribs bleached by the prairie sun, as new growth twines upwards. Natural forms inspire these works.
Email Janis LaDouceur Contact us: 612.760.1643
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Green Architecture – Dodge Preschool
Designed to recall “grandma’s cottage in the woods” this preschool is set within the beautiful Dodge Nature Center & Farm in West St. Paul. Large icons of home and secure surroundings (massive wood trusses, fieldstone foundation and hardwood floors) mixed with child-sized nooks and windows create a truly welcoming environment. The goal is to soften the transition from home to school. A variety of textures, window heights, and places to explore engage the children with the building and encourage them to connect with this place. Things such as a butterfly garden and binoculars set-up to view a muskrat lodge continually draw the students to the natural surroundings.
All fixtures, materials and accents carry the nature / ecology theme throughout the school. Etched slate tiles, extensive woodworking and environmentally friendly materials are used throughout this Arts & Crafts style design. In-floor heat provides unlimited comfortable play spaces, even in the coldest of Minnesota winters.
More DODGE NATURE PRESCHOOL
Awards:
NASBO International Architecture Exhibition Award of Excellence 2002
Architecture MN Magazine 1/01
AIA Minneapolis Merit Award 2003
Email Janis LaDouceur Contact us: 612.760.1643
| Tags: Arts & Crafts, Children, Dodge Nature Center, Green, Preschool | More: Uncategorized
Homes
A little House in the forest. It combines clean modern lines with the curved natural form of a hawks wing.
More HOMES
Email Janis LaDouceur Contact us: 612.760.1643
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New Projects
When Jason Sowards of Harriet Brewing told me, “Janis, we are going to be the first Beer Tap Room in Minnesota under the New Legislation. But I need help figuring out what the regulations are going to be. I want to have the brew kettles out in the open so everyone can feel a part of the process. I want to have live jazz bands playing every night; we could be a hot new music venue. And, I want to just have couches and soft chairs laying about, and have my record collection playing when the band isn’t on. I want people to pour outdoors to enjoy the view of downtown. Oh, and let’s have food trucks pull up to our garage doors to sell food.”
Jason had the vision and the business plan, and my job was to calmly take a serious look at the often conflicting regulations, and help the City and Jason to work together making his dream come true. It has been a winding road, as goals were added and dropped, regulations hindered and helped. But as Harriet Brewing celebrates another anniversary, it has made its mark on Minneapolis culture!
Photographs courtesy Harriet Brewing
Email Janis LaDouceur Contact us: 612.760.1643