Project Overview
BKBM provided civil and structural engineering services for Radius @ 15th, a five-story, 324,000-square-foot student apartment building in Minneapolis. The project features 200 student apartments with a total of 630 bedrooms, delivering high-density student living in an amenity-rich environment.
Project Highlights
- Modern Student Housing Design:
- Demolition of five single-family homes and four apartment buildings on the site to make way for a new ring-shaped building.
- One level of below-grade parking with 174 stalls.
- 651 designated bicycle parking locations provided throughout the site.
- The ring configuration conceals an interior courtyard from street view, offering privacy and community.
- Courtyard amenities include a large, one-story clubhouse, custom outdoor hot tub, and several gathering spaces, all constructed over portions of the underground parking facility.
- Robust Structural System:
- Slab on grade at the lowest level.
- Two levels of precast concrete framing with masonry perimeter foundation walls.
- Five levels of wood framing for upper floors.
- Careful foundation design and temporary soil retention were implemented along the north wall of the drive ramp due to proximity to the property line and adjacent residences.
- Innovative Civil & Stormwater Solutions:
- Site development on limited open space required creative stormwater management to meet City of Minneapolis requirements.
- Multi-system approach: Used roof as a temporary holding pond for rainfall detention, allowing for an underground infiltration system placed along the northeast property line.
- Over-excavation in certain areas ensured the system reached soils conducive to infiltration.
- Stormwater discharged into a 30-inch HDPE pipe along the east side, providing additional rate control before connecting to the City sewer.
- Planters designed in the interior courtyard function as temporary holding ponds for integrated stormwater management.
- Collaborative Approach:
- Civil and structural teams closely coordinated with architects, mechanical engineers, and landscape architects throughout design and construction phases for seamless execution.
Engineering Solutions
BKBM’s integrated, collaborative approach enabled the team to overcome urban site constraints, tight lot lines, and challenging stormwater management requirements. Creative use of rooftops and planters for temporary detention and a robust foundation design delivered both performance and compliance.
Results & Impact
Radius @ 15th delivers vibrant student housing with modern amenities, underground parking, and efficient site use, all in a competitive urban market. BKBM’s engineering expertise ensured long-term durability, sustainability, and a welcoming community-focused environment for students.
1967
15,000+
23
Minneapolis & Denver