The exterior of East Gull Lake City Hall
City halls are staples of their communities. As a bridge between community members and the government, city halls can speak volumes about the town’s values and priorities. When a town invests in a city hall that will stand the test of time, it shows their expectation of longevity and commitment to serving the community.
The City of East Gull Lake recently hired Widseth to design their city hall and provide architectural, survey, structural, mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering services. Originally, city operations were housed in a 90-year-old, one-room schoolhouse where the city administrator’s office was a former restroom and the building’s only other separate space was a copy room. The building was not fit for large groups of people. Instead of a remodel, East Gull Lake decided to start from scratch on the same property.
Their new city hall is now an improved landmark, with fully updated amenities and modern aesthetics. A reflection of its environment, its exterior is constructed with a dark brown that complements the surrounding trees, a steel blue reflecting the water of Gull Lake, and a stone entryway to resemble the pathways guiding community members in. The building has large, prominent windows, promoting a welcoming environment and inspiring openness and transparency, while also being functional and energy-efficient by using sunlight to illuminate the office spaces. There is also room next to the building for a possible future addition, promoting growth and prosperity of the East Gull Lake community.
Through the entry, community members see a metal, powder-coated mural of East Gull Lake’s logo positioned on a blue background. Central Lakes College’s (CLC) welding group was commissioned to recreate the beloved seagull flying over pine trees, land, and open water in monochromatic white, a minimalist homage to their iconic logo.
The council chambers of East Gull Lake City Hall
The main room of the city hall is the council chambers. An accent wall made of acoustic paneling sits at the far end of the room, brown and blue to mirror the exterior. This, of course, is where the dais is. The remaining features of the room, including walls, carpet, and chairs, use variations of white and light gray, along with brown trim. This technique utilizes clear leading lines toward the dais, creating an engaging environment that establishes the council as the focal point for community members, while reinforcing that the community is the council’s visual priority. Focusing on the dais, there is a gentle curve toward the audience. This is an intentional choice because it: promotes open dialogue and eye contact between council members; creates a welcoming environment with the softer lines of the curve; and mimics the act of “leaning in to listen,” which helps community members feel heard.
The design also includes office spaces, a conference room, and a break room. Contrary to the original building, these features offer more space for meetings, conversation, and planning, as well as a private room for staff. This promotes productivity and comfort for both the people who work in the building and the community members. Additionally, the new city hall includes an extra office reserved for the sheriff, a benefit the original hall did not have.
Encompassing functionality, efficiency, and thoughtfulness, East Gull Lake’s new city hall displays the importance of community connection in their town through the articulate and intentional designs of their building.
Widseth’s architectural team is experienced in designing city halls and other municipal buildings that last, and we value our time spent working with cities such as East Gull Lake. We prioritize comfort, efficiency, and growth in our designs. With an updated city hall, cities can be accommodated in the present and prepared for the future. Contact Widseth with any city hall needs.
