Work on Iconic Entrance Takes Shape at Heritage Center - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Northern Lights Atrium is meant to be a focal point for visitors.

Until a couple of weeks ago all you've been able to see are drawings.

But now the pieces are beginning to fall into place.

This is what the Northern Lights Atrium looks like now.

And this is what it will look like when its finished.

"We studied a lot of forms, vernacular forms and we looked at the Mandan lodges and one of the characteristics of the Mandan lodge was a ring of twenty posts that helped hold up the roof of the lodge and that was the origin of some of our thinking in developing this space," says Todd Kraft of HGA Architects.

Kraft says giving the Heritage Center a new identity was a priority in the expansion project.

He says HGA worked to create an iconic element facing out to the community.

The atrium will be a place a place for special ceremonies, press conferences and the focal point of the 52 million dollar project.

"Floor is done in decorative terrazzo with a star burst or sunburst pattern all of the counties in state are represented with their names in the circle and in the center you can see a medallion in the center which is actually a piece of etched glass with the state seal that will be lit from below and glow up into space as the focal point in the room," says Kraft.

Kraft says the ceiling will also be eye-catching with the center opening to a skylight similar to that of a tepee.

"The upper story of this from fabric ceiling and behind that ceiling is some technology, some lighting and some projectors that will allow them to create different lighting effects including a Northern Lights affect and give the space a real dynamic presense and a really dynamic quality," says Kraft.

So whether you see the atrium as a tepee or a grain bin or something entirely different, architects and officials at the Heritage Center hope it will make a lasting impression. Tom Gerhardt, KX News.