Catholic Workman Life Insurance
New Prague, Minnesota

Completed in the summer of 2002, this new office building in New Prague houses the Catholic Workman Life Insurance Company world headquarters. The building not only supports the operations of the company’s business, it also serves as a symbol of the company’s history of quality service. The design draws on the vernacular architectural language and Czechoslovakian cultural influences of the surrounding rural community to create a magnificent structure anchoring a new commercial development.

The asymmetric form of the building is an expression of the clustering of spaces along an angled linear pathway. The brick facade is punctuated by large arched windows which provide an abundance of daylight as well as many pleasant views. Three large copper domes create spectacular soaring interior spaces brightly lit by clerestory windows. A rich palette of materials and colors, including cherry-stained maple woodwork throughout, fill the building with warmth and elegance.

Project environmental indoor air quality goals were accomplished by locating all utility infrastructure within a crawl space beneath the entire building. Heating and cooling was provided by geothermal heat exchange system. Sixteen wells are located under the parking lot with space allocated for future expansion.