An engaging, social evening blending conversation, architecture, and place with architect Richard Hess – part of the City Stories festival.
Join City Stories for Architecture after Hours: Board + Batten, an engaging evening program featuring a talk and Q&A with architect Richard Hess of Quinn Evans, hosted in the beautifully restored Hill Library—now the Avalon Theater.
Richard Hess is a principal architect at Quinn Evans’ Michigan office and recently led an award-winning restoration of Detroit’s Michigan Central Station. In Minneapolis, Quinn Evans was also the firm that collaborated in the restoration of the Arvonne Fraser Library.
Resilience by Design: Flexibility, Continuity, and the Power of Place
Richard’s presentation explores how architecture and the built environment can be intentionally shaped to endure, adapt, and remain relevant amid social, economic, and technological change. Anticipating the needs of tomorrow demands a proactive design approach—one that embeds flexibility, longevity, and cultural continuity into the buildings and places we create. Drawing on real-world experience from the recent transformation of Michigan Central Station, Richard examines how thoughtful design can extend the life of historic structures, reconcile past and future, and accommodate evolving uses without compromising identity. The presentation reframes resilience not only as structural or environmental durability, but as a source of lasting civic, cultural, and economic strength for the next generation.
Mix and Mingle with Food and Drink
Begin the night with a relaxed mix-and-mingle reception, including food and a complimentary drink. Use the time to connect with fellow attendees, design enthusiasts, and professionals from across the Twin Cities. Then settle in for a thought-provoking presentation exploring architecture, design, and the evolving role of historic spaces in contemporary life.
The evening concludes with a live Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the speaker.