Visitation School: A Thoughtful Approach to Envision & Enabling the Future
Opus has a longstanding partnership with Visitation School, a Catholic school in Mendota Heights, Minn. In 2014, we went beyond simply delivering a product and created a showpiece that aligns with their mission.
Like many school campuses, Visitation’s facility was a culmination of several additions over many years, resulting in no clear primary entrance and somewhat confusing circulation through the school. Opus designed and constructed a new entry and commons area that completely changed how people experience the school.
Known as the “Heart” (of the school), the new entryway consists of a prominent three-story atrium space with convenient access for students to the lower and upper schools, the fine arts center and food service areas, as well as three new classrooms and study and breakout areas. The new entry features a restored piece of 100-year-old stained glass, set into the curtain wall, greeting everyone as they enter the building. Our team also integrated bricks from the original St. Paul convent building into the design to honor Visitation’s rich history, seamlessly blending new and existing architecture to create a harmonious aesthetic throughout the commons.
In addition to the “Heart” project, Opus and Visitation have collaborated on multiple other projects, including design and construction of a STEM robotics lab, a Montessori classroom remodel, a kitchen remodel, restroom and office remodeling, outdoor classroom space, and acoustical enhancements to several classrooms.
Throughout this relationship, Opus associates’ have continually reinforced our reputation for taking care of our clients in creative ways. For example, during a project in 2013, Opus associates worked with teachers to arrange an “egg drop” science demonstration for the students using our lift equipment. A member of our construction crew was raised 25 feet in the air and dropped eggs while the students observed and learned about gravity and velocity.
As construction progressed at Visitation, students became curious about what was happening as they watched the progress out their classroom window. So, one of our associate superintendents and a carpenter foreman spent their break time visiting with children from Visitation’s Lower School (grades K – 5). They explained what it’s like to work on a construction site and patiently answered many questions from the children – some related to construction and some not – taking the time to address their curiosity about what was happening around them.
“Given the unique nature of the buildings springing from the Visitation Heart and Mind project, we knew that a special approach would be needed. From design of these precious spaces through to construction completion, Opus did not disappoint. The vision, patience, attention to detail and budget oversight of the Opus team have been exemplary. And the opportunity for our students to have a daily “field trip” into construction land has been an added bonus.”
Dawn Nichols, Ed.D., Head of School, Visitation School
These are just a few of many examples of how our team members truly care for our clients, and go above and beyond, to not only deliver on their mission but exceed their expectations through the buildings we deliver.
Find the complete story on the Visitation School project here.