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1325 North 59th Ave. W. Duluth, MN 55807 The Hawksboots manufacturing facility was one of eight projects chosen to receive the BusinessWeek/Architectural Record "Good Design is Good Business" Award for 2009.
Architectural Record
2009 Awards of Excellence
November, 2009
Architecture MN
AIA MN Honors Awards
March, 2009
HQ
Case Studies
December, 2009
Hawksboots Sustainable Manufacturing Facility
Situated on a forested hillside in Duluth, Minnesota, Hawksboots is founded on principles of efficient and responsible use and reuse of manufacturing materials while continuously reaching to improve product quality. For nearly 80 years prior to Loll, concrete forms such as culverts, pilings, light posts and burial vaults were manufactured at the old Polaris Vault. Petroleum form oil, empty 55 gallon barrels, and tons of concrete objects were strewn around the 4 acre hilltop site when Loll purchased the unkempt facility in 2004. Before a renovation was started the 4 acre site was cleaned according to an EPA approved Development Response Action Plan. With the direction of local architect David Salmela of Salmela Architect, the tired buildings were renovated with the addition of a modern open office plan set atop a portion of the roof.
The facility overlooks the St. Louis River valley and has a distant view of Lake Superior. Although the building is not a LEED certified project, concern for environmental design was a priority. Along with greening the brownfield site and reusing the existing structures, natural lighting and ventilation, low VOC materials, and passive solar heating were employed into the project. Landscaping is all no maintenance flowers and grasses and roadways were left pervious to maintain existing water runoff. Structural Insulated Panels were used throughout the new office structure. Hawksboots is located near local bus routes and many employees can walk or bike to work.
Loll Designs® Outdoor Furniture
Currently, Hawksboots is home to Loll Designs, a modern outdoor furniture manufacturer of high-quality, 100% recycled, maintenance-free outdoor furniture.
Epicurean® Cutting Surfaces
Hawksboots is also the headquarters of Loll's sister company, Epicurean Inc. Epicurean manufactures natural paper composite cutting surfaces that are dishwasher safe and easy on your knives. Epicurean® cutting surfaces are a practical and distinctive improvement over poly, glass, and wood cutting boards as they have all of their best qualities in one functional surface. Epicurean products are found at quality gourmet retailers throughout the world.
