In Motion: Dodge Nature Center at Shepard Farm

Transforming a 1920’s former summer home turned farmhouse nestled in the woods into an accessible hub for environmental education and a unique, hands-on cooking experience

Dodge Nature Center is a staple institution for outdoor education in the Twin Cities. When they acquired a hobby farm and protected woodland in Cottage Grove, they quickly developed a clear vision for the site’s future: rehabbing the century-old house and building a modern teaching kitchen, visitors will benefit from both participating in the cultivation of produce and its transformation into cuisine.

Bringing everyone to the table, so-to-speak, was of utmost importance to the project. We redesigned the entire building, and ensured the new kitchen would be fully accessible by applying the concepts of universal design. This ensures that participants of all abilities will be able to enjoy a comfortable, hands-on experience during classes, and that all parts of this building will be accessible to future generations.

Designed by Massachusetts-born architect Thomas Holyoke in the early 20th century, the farmhouse and its neighboring agricultural buildings feature a unique New England aesthetic not common to their contemporary Midwest counterparts. As such, it was a priority to preserve and highlight the farmhouse’s historic qualities. The original fireplaces and millwork in the mirrored living room and dining room will serve as backdrops in what will now be the main classrooms for Dodge’s students.

As a design-build project with Mission Construction, Ericksen Roed, and Aune Fernandez, we were able to share expertise and collaborate from the very beginning— a crucial factor in successfully repairing, replacing, and grafting new elements into an existing structure of century-old standards and building technologies.

Scheduled to open Fall of 2023, community members can look forward to a unique, accessible, and environmentally-oriented experience at the new Shepard Farm location.

Project Partners:
Mission Construction: General Contractor
Ericksen Roed + Associates: Structural Engineers
Aune Fernandez Landscape Architects: Landscape Architects