Inspiring a Passion for Innovation
about our 2020 renovation
AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE.
In January 2020, The Bakken Museum broke ground on our first major renovation in 20 years. Over time, we came to realize our first floor needed considerable changes to improve the visitor experience and better support our programs. We worked with great minds to design an updated building that would honor our past and lay the groundwork for an inspiring future.
Construction, completed in July of 2020, allows the museum to meet our mission by more efficiently using our building and grounds for exhibits, education programs, and events.
IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE:
a stunning new entrance facing Bde Maka Ska featuring bird-friendly glass;
an expansive courtyard and walkway overlooking the museum’s wetlands;
a refurbished green roof facing Bde Maka Ska;
flexible-use classrooms and rental spaces;
an outdoor courtyard for events and programs;
an expanded makerspace for classes and camps;
updated amenities, including lockers, all gender-accessible bathrooms, and vending;
a larger museum store featuring science and technology-themed items for all ages;
and a 2,000-square-foot gallery space.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Spark Exhibit
Designed with experts from Roto, Spark is a 1,500 square foot permanent gallery that celebrates the intersection of innovation and inspiration through the lens of medical technology and science fiction. Through a series of creative, collaborative interactives and thought-provoking experiences, the exhibit challenges visitors to, “find their spark and change the world.” | Learn more about the Spark exhibit
An Iconic Entrance
The project required a dramatic architectural centerpiece, The Bakken Museum worked with Roto to design an icon mounted high in the museum’s new entry tower. A swirling sphere of dichroic lenses casts colored light throughout the surrounding landscape.
Bird-Friendly Glass
The new glass tower was constructed with bird-safe lighting and AviProtek® bird-safe glass, in consultation with the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis (ACM). In addition to the entrance tower, the museum partnered with ACM to apply Feather Friendly® visual markers to windows in the lobby.
LEARN MORE FROM OUR PROJECT PARTNERS
Lake facing entrance after renovation.
Museum lobby before renovation.
Lake facing windows before renovation.
Museum lobby after renovation.
Lake facing entrance after renovation at night.
New donor wall and museum store.
Spark in the renovated exhibition space.
New museum store.
New lobby featuring updates amenities.
ACCOLADES + PRESS
(11/6/2019) Southwest Journal- Bakken Museum planning major renovation
(11/17/2019) Minnesota Public Radio - Bakken Museum announces plans for major renovation
(11/17/2019) Pioneer Press - Bakken Museum plans major changes with 2020 renovations
(11/20/2019) MinnPost - Bakken Museum announces renovation...
(11/20/2019) Pioneer Press - The Bakken Museum has announced extensive renovations. Here are the details.
(7/17/2020) Star Tribune- Bakken Museum reopens to the public after 7 months of construction
(10/8/2020) Star Tribune - Minnesota's quirky Bakken Museum reinvents itself with $4.5 million face lift
(10/9/2020) Twin Cities Geek - Minneapolis’s Bakken Museum Reopens with a Spark
(10/18/2020) Southwest Journal - New Bakken exhibit hopes to Spark innovation
(11/9/2020) Blooloop - Roto presents interactive Spark exhibit at newly renovated Bakken Museum
(4/1/2021) Finance & Commerce - Bakken Museum’s newly renovated building safe for birds
(4/7/2021) MinnPost - The Bakken chooses bird-safe glass…
(4/13/2021) Star Tribune - A great spot for birding by car and other birding tips
(5/4/2021) Finance & Commerce - Finance & Commerce announces Top Projects of 2020
(8/6/2021) RE Journals - Here are the best of the best: Your 2021 Minnesota Real Estate Journal Awards winners
A special thank you to Corey Gaffer Photography and Motion 117 Productions for image and video support.