Custom Architectural Panels for Civic Infrastructure Project - SouthWest Transit Station
Architects: Snow Kreilich Architects
Contractor: Berwald Roofing & Sheet Metal
Perforated Panel Fabrication: StellarCraft
Product: Altair Perforated Panels
The Challenge: A Civic Infrastructure Project Featuring Custom Architectural Panels
As part of the Southwest Green Line LRT Extension, a major civic infrastructure project, the design team needed an architectural façade solution for the Eden Prairie Southwest Light Rail Platform. The scope also included the Bus Station, Auto Drop-Off Area, and a 440-stall Parking Garage. The station serves as a major regional transit hub connecting commuters from Chaska, Chanhassen, and Eden Prairie to downtown Minneapolis. Because of its visibility and civic importance, the structure needed to function as more than a utilitarian parking ramp.
The architects sought to create a design with the following requirements:
- Provide natural ventilation and daylight within the parking structure
- Maintain visual consistency across a large curved façade surface
- Achieve a subtle bronze ombre effect specified in the architectural design
- Withstand long-term exposure to harsh Midwest weather conditions
In addition, the scale of the structure required more than 1,600 custom panels. The architectural panels serve as a perforated façade screen system for the parking structure. Installed along the exterior elevations of the ramps 5 parking levels, the panels provide screening while visually unifying the building façade.
For the architect, the challenge was finding a fabrication partner capable of translating the design intent into a repeatable, manufacturable panel system that met the Buy American Act requirements. There were 2 other specific challenges the architect faced. One challenge was achieving a 45 degree curvature on each frabricated panel. Additionally, each panel needed to be coated with a unique finish to create an ombre effect across the building.
The Solution: StellarCraft Altair Perforated Panels
StellarCraft collaborated with Berwald Roofing & Sheet Metal to develop and fabricate a custom Altair Perforated Panel system designed specifically for the Southwest Station & Parking Structure.
The solution included rolled perforated architectural panels fabricated from 1/8-inch aluminum. Over 1,600 panels were produced for this civic infrastructure project. The perforations allow daylight to filter through the parking structure, creating a dynamic display of light across the interior of the ramp. Seasonal conditions further animate the façade as drifting snow can subtley collect along the perforated surfaces, accentuating the panel geometry and enhancing the building’s visual texture.
Custom perforation patterns
Three distinct perforation patterns were incorporated across the façade. With approximately a 33% open area, the pattern allows for airflow and daylight to enter the structure while adding depth and texture to the building envelope. The Altair Perforated Panels feature circular perforations that vary in size depending on their location within the façade.
Rolled Panel Geometry
The aluminum panels were precision rolled and welded to match the curved geometry of the parking structure façade. Achieving consistent curvature across more than 1,600 panels required tight production tolerances. Even minor variation in rolling could cause alignment issues during installation, so panel curvature was verified throughout the production run. Each panel edge was rolled with a convex 45-degree return, creating a crisp profile that accentuates the panel seams and reinforces the sculptural character of the façade.
Powder-Coated Finish With Ombre Finish
Durability for Exterior Conditions
The panels feature a fluoropolymer powder coating designed to create a bronze ombre transition across the structure. To achieve the architect’s intended gradient, StellarCraft worked through multiple finish selections before identifying three complementary powder coat colors that would produce the desired fade. Panel placement across the structure was carefully coordinated so the bronze colors gradually transitioned along the façade.
The high-performance architectural powder coating finish is designed for exterior environments. Fluoropolymer coatings provides strong resistance to UV exposure, corrosion, and temperature fluctuation, helping maintain color consistency and surface durability throughout Minnesota’s seasonal weather cycles.
Made in america architectural panels
StellarCraft is located in Hanover, Minnesota, and manufactures its architectural metal systems entirely in-house. Because fabrication, forming, welding, and finishing all occur within the company’s U.S. facility, StellarCraft is able to provide products that align with project requirements for American-made materials. For this publicly funded infrastructure projects, StellarCraft was able to support compliance with the Buy American Act.
The Result: Supporting a City in Motion
The completed SouthWest Station parking structure incorporated StellarCraft’s Altair custom perforated aluminum façade system for parking garage structures. Producing more than 1,600 curved architectural panels required careful fabrication sequencing and quality control to maintain consistent curvature, perforation alignment, and finish application across the entire production run. Additionally, the selection of Altair Perforated Panels was a key component to meeting the projects Buy American Act requirements. Throughout fabrication, StellarCraft coordinated closely with Berwald Roofing & Sheet Metal to ensure panel dimensions, mounting methods, and sequencing aligned with the contractor’s installation strategy. This coordination helped reduce field adjustments and allowed the installation team to maintain consistent alignment across the façade.
The completed Southwest Station parking structure now stands as a recognizable part of the transit hub. Located near the interchange of Interstate 494 and U.S. Route 212, the civic infrastructure project is visible to thousands of drivers each day as they pass through the area.
The garage supports roughly 1,400 daily riders using the Southwest Light Rail, providing convenient access to regional transit. Beyond its role as a parking facility, the project adds a thoughtful architectural element to the growing transit corridor and contributes to the evolving built environment of Eden Prairie.
