W.L. Hall Company

W.L. Hall Company W. L. Hall Company | The Premiere Exterior & Interior Building Systems Provider in the Upper Midwest

Hall Company | The Premier Exterior and Interior Building Systems Provider in the Upper Midwest

75 Years' Experience | 15,000+ Projects

Ready for the Fair: Renewing a Minnesota LandmarkRestoring the Historic 4-H Building at the Minnesota State FairgroundsW...
08/28/2026

Ready for the Fair: Renewing a Minnesota Landmark

Restoring the Historic 4-H Building at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds

With the 2026 Minnesota State Fair opening this week, thousands of visitors will once again pass through one of the fairgrounds' most recognizable landmarks—the historic 4-H Building. Originally constructed during the 1930s as a Works Progress Administration project, this iconic structure required window and skylight improvements that respected its historic character while delivering modern performance.

We were selected to furnish and install new windows and skylights throughout the building. The project was coordinated through the Minnesota State Fair and PPM, with early involvement from TKDA and their project teams to help determine the most appropriate systems, finishes, glazing, and installation details.

Historic Appearance. Modern Performance.

Graham Architectural's GT6800 Series factory-glazed windows were selected to complement the building’s original architectural character. Narrow sightline frames and exterior-applied muntin grids preserve the historic appearance, while operable casement-style units provide updated functionality and performance.

Before installation began, we conducted preliminary site visits and exploratory work to evaluate the building’s unique existing conditions. This early investigation was essential to developing details that could accommodate the original construction.

Solving Complex Existing Conditions

Many openings contained original steel window frames that could not simply be removed and replaced using conventional methods. Our team developed an installation approach incorporating window extenders that bridge over the existing steel frames. Properly sized interior box trim was then used to conceal the window-frame strap anchors and provide a clean, finished appearance.

The building also presented difficult accessibility conditions that required several types of specialized equipment. Existing materials required abatement and selective demolition by specialty contractors before portions of our installation could proceed, making careful scheduling and coordination especially important.

Reconstructing the Skylight Openings

New Super Sky skylights were incorporated into the sloped glazing application shown above. Because of the building’s age, the existing sloped glazing openings required significant reconstruction and close coordination among multiple trades.

Accurate field verification, detailed planning, and ongoing communication helped the project team address these conditions while keeping the work moving forward.

Ready for the 2026 Minnesota State Fair

Window and skylight procurement was accelerated so the work could be substantially completed before the 2026 Minnesota State Fair season. With the fair opening this week, visitors can experience this familiar landmark with improvements that preserve its historic appearance while enhancing its performance for years to come.

Meeting this important deadline required early decision-making, timely coordination with manufacturers and trades, and careful planning around abatement, demolition, accessibility, and installation. The result reflects the entire project team's commitment to preparing the building for another memorable State Fair season.

Whether your project involves historic restoration, an existing building renovation, or a new architectural glazing system, reach out to us. With decades of experience, responsive communication, and a reputation built on trust, our team is here to help guide your project from early planning and product selection through coordination and installation. You can count on us to provide the expertise, attention, and dependable support needed to help make your project successful.

No-Cost Consultations

W. L. Hall Company
The Premier Exterior and Interior Building Systems Provider in the Upper Midwest
75 Years' Experience | 15,000+ Projects
(952) 937-8400
wlhall.com
[email protected]

Privacy When Needed, Flexibility on Demand for EntreBankEntreBank Bloomington Headquarters — 5th Floor Boardroom and Emp...
08/20/2026

Privacy When Needed, Flexibility on Demand for EntreBank

EntreBank Bloomington Headquarters — 5th Floor Boardroom and Employee Lounge

Acoustic Performance Meets Flexible Space Management

For EntreBank's 5th-floor boardroom and employee lounge, we collaborated with Studio EA Architects (Minneapolis) and MOD Solutions Contractors (Minneapolis) to bring their design vision to life — pairing acoustic performance with flexible space management across both spaces.

EntreBank’s fifth-floor boardroom and employee lounge demonstrate how Modernfold operable partitions can provide acoustic separation while allowing the workplace to adapt for meetings, employee activities, and larger gatherings.

We provided two complementary systems: an Acousti-Clear® STC 45 glass operable partition between the boardroom and employee lounge, and an Acousti-Seal® STC 50 operable partition to separate the boardroom.

Acousti-Clear: Connecting the Boardroom & Lounge

The Acousti-Clear glass partition provides substantial sound control while maintaining sightlines and allowing light to pass between the boardroom and employee lounge.

When closed, the two rooms can operate independently, allowing meetings and lounge activities to take place simultaneously. When the panels are opened and stacked, the spaces become one larger environment for company meetings, presentations, receptions, training sessions, and employee gatherings.

Advantages include:

STC 45 acoustic performance
Shared light and an open appearance
Independent or combined room configurations
Quick reconfiguration without construction

Acousti-Seal: Boardroom Privacy and Performance

The Acousti-Seal operable partition separates the boardroom and provides an STC 50 acoustic rating. This substantial sound control creates a quieter, more focused setting for board discussions, strategic planning, financial presentations, video conferences, and other important meetings.

Advantages include:

Strong sound control STC 50 for important conversations
Fewer distractions during meetings
Flexible configurations for different group sizes
Concealed end-of-wall panel storage
Performance for space management adaptability

Together, Acousti-Clear and Acousti-Seal allow EntreBank to create multiple configurations within the same footprint. The boardroom and lounge can operate separately during the workday or combine into a larger gathering space when needed.

The concealed Acousti-Seal storage pocket also minimizes the amount of floor area devoted to panel storage, leaving more usable space for meetings and events.

This flexible approach increases the value of the available square footage, reduces the need for dedicated single-purpose rooms, and allows the workplace to evolve without costly renovations.

With more than 75 years of experience, we help architects, contractors, building owners, and facility managers create adaptable interiors with operable partitions and advanced space-management solutions. Our experienced team can assist with product selection, design coordination, installation, and ongoing service to help ensure each system delivers lasting acoustic performance, flexibility, and value.

Contact us—we’re here to help you find the right solution for your space.

From Barrio to Bright & Bold — Americana Is Taking Shape at 50th & FranceWe're proud to be part of the team bringing Ame...
08/13/2026

From Barrio to Bright & Bold — Americana Is Taking Shape at 50th & France

We're proud to be part of the team bringing Americana to life — the latest restaurant concept from acclaimed Chef Daniel del Prado — currently under construction in the former Barrio location, with an anticipated opening in December 2026.

We are working with Christian Dean Architecture (Minneapolis) and Building Assets (General Contractor, Minneapolis) to bring their project design to life.

At the center of the design is a large Super Sky custom ridge skylight — complemented by a Tubelite curtainwall system — creating an architectural focal point that will fill the restaurant with natural light and give diners a unique connection to the outdoors.

We are furnishing and installing the exterior glazing and daylighting systems that will help define Americana’s exciting new look.

The project includes:

* Super Sky Custom Ridge Skylight — An impressive approximately 25' x 50' aluminum-framed glass skylight with a 5:12 pitch and high-performance insulated laminated glass.
* Tubelite Curtainwall — Approximately 764 square feet of Tubelite 200 Series curtainwall spanning four elevations beneath the skylight, featuring Solarban® 90 low-e coating and argon gas fill throughout for enhanced thermal and solar performance.
* Kalwall® Shed Skylight — A 2' x 9' translucent skylight introducing additional soft, diffused natural daylight.
* Tubelite 1375 InVent Windows — A combination of casement and project-out awning windows, including applied muntins that contribute to the building's distinctive architectural character.
* Entrance System — An aluminum entrance integrated with the surrounding curtainwall and glazing.

Whether your next project involves custom skylights, curtainwall, windows, entrances, daylighting systems, or a combination of architectural solutions, you can count on us to bring the experience, responsiveness, and communication needed to help keep your project moving forward.

Have a project in mind? Talk with us early. We’ll help you explore the options, work through the details, and find the right solution for your design.

Lifestyle Changes Drive Design ChangesWhy Schools Are Placing More Emphasis on Canopies and Covered WalkwaysThink about ...
07/16/2026

Lifestyle Changes Drive Design Changes

Why Schools Are Placing More Emphasis on Canopies and Covered Walkways

Think about the modern school arrival and dismissal process. Buses. Parent drop-offs. Student drivers. Vans. Special transportation. Athletics and after-school activities. Today's school entrance is busier than ever. With more parent and vehicle drop-off activity, schools are managing increasingly complex transition zones between transportation areas and building entrances.

More students may be waiting, walking, and gathering outside—often in rain, snow, cold temperatures, and rapidly changing weather. That's why schools are increasingly looking for ways to create weather-protected, well-lit transition spaces that improve visibility, reduce shadows, and help support a safer, more comfortable arrival and dismissal experience.

Protected, well-defined pathways help create safer, more organized transitions into and out of the school. That's one reason canopies and covered walkways are playing an increasingly important role in K–12 campus design.

Creating Safer, Brighter and More Comfortable School Entrances

Schools are looking beyond the classroom to improve the spaces students, staff and visitors experience every day. Entrances, bus loading areas, parent drop-off zones and exterior walkways have become critical transition spaces, driving greater emphasis on weather protection, daylighting, safety and efficient pedestrian flow.

We worked with Plunkett Raysich Architects (Milwaukee) and Nexus Solutions (Madison) to bring their project design to life for Brodhead High School (35 miles south of Madison) with a new Kalwall® translucent canopy that demonstrates how thoughtful canopy design can integrate weather protection, natural daylight, and architectural identity. This was part of the Brodhead School District's referendum-funded facility improvement program; the project supports broader goals focused on safety, learning, and facility upgrades.

For Brodhead High School, the new Kalwall® translucent canopy does far more than provide shelter from Wisconsin's changing weather. By diffusing natural daylight throughout the covered area, it reduces harsh glare, hotspots, and deep shadows, creating a bright, comfortable entrance for students, staff, and visitors. The lightweight, durable system transforms the school's main entry into a safer, more welcoming transition space that supports daily arrival and dismissal while enhancing the building's architectural character.

Paired with Structures Unlimited® structural aluminum systems, the canopy also offers a unique advantage: the ability to seamlessly integrate signage and specialty lighting features. This creates opportunities to strengthen school identity, emphasize entrances, improve wayfinding, and deliver a more distinctive arrival experience—both during the day and after dark.

Planning a School Entrance or Covered Walkway?

As schools place greater emphasis on safe, welcoming, and weather-protected arrival spaces, choosing the right canopy system matters.

We help architects, school districts, and contractors create high-performing canopy solutions that combine daylighting, durability, and architectural impact.

We're here to help. Contact us to discuss your next school project.

Skyfold: Proven PerformanceFlexibility Without the “Can Everyone Help Move This?”Across environments such as corporate o...
05/07/2026

Skyfold: Proven Performance

Flexibility Without the “Can Everyone Help Move This?”

Across environments such as corporate offices, healthcare facilities, education and training spaces, hospitality venues, government buildings, and large-scale public or mixed-use settings, Skyfold delivers high-performance outcomes that help us bring design visions to life.

Skyfold: Space Management Engineered for Productivity and Flexibility

Effortless Flexibility

Skyfold’s fully automated vertical operation allows spaces to transform instantly—no manual setup, no disruption. At the push of a button, one room becomes many—or many become one.

Exceptional Acoustic Separation

With performance up to STC 60, Skyfold ensures true acoustic privacy when spaces are divided—critical for focused work, confidential meetings, and high-performance environments.

Maximized Usable Space
Because the system stores neatly in the ceiling:
No floor tracks
No panel stacking areas
No lost square footage
Every inch of space remains functional, open, and usable.

Clean, Design-Forward Integration
Skyfold disappears when not in use—preserving:
Open ceiling planes
Natural light flow
Architectural intent
The result: flexibility without visual compromise.

Reliable, High-Performance Operation
Engineered for durability and frequent use, Skyfold systems provide:
Consistent performance over time
Minimal maintenance disruption
Confidence in demanding environments

Let’s connect. Our team is ready to help you bring the right space management systems into your design—early, efficiently, and with confidence.

No-Cost Consultations

W. L. Hall Company
The Premier Exterior and Interior Building Systems Provider in the Upper Midwest
75 Years' Experience | 15,000+ Projects
(952) 937-8400
wlhall.com
[email protected]

Address

530 15th Avenue S
Hopkins, MN
55343

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when W.L. Hall Company posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to W.L. Hall Company:

Shortcuts

Share