Cuningham

Bde Maka Ska Pavilion has been honored with a Minnesota Shopping Center Association (MSCA) STARR Award. Winning in the “Development” category, the project was recognized for successfully navigating complicated site challenges, construction hurdles, regulatory approvals, community involvement, and sustainability considerations. One of the newest additions to the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, the pavilion sits on the site of a refectory built in 1930 on Bde Maka Ska. When the historic lakeside structure was destroyed by fire in 2019, the area lost an important community hub and an opportunity arose to create an inclusive, shared space that could uplift historically undervalued voices and foster social and environmental healing. Given the project’s complicated historical context, prominent location within the city, and importance to the community, Cuningham and design collaborator Full Circle Indigenous Planning + Design, LLC worked closely with a diverse group of stakeholders and public agencies, synthesizing a host of insights and regulatory constraints into the final design. The result is a community hub that weaves together heritage, inclusion, and environmental stewardship. Learn more about how the project honors the site’s indigenous roots, improves accessibility, and celebrates native ecology: bit.ly/3GX2Mku ??: Joe Horton / Manifold Public Design - Murmur Ring

Join us in congratulating Cuningham’s Sarah Potzler, AIA on winning AIA Arizona’s AIA10 Award. ? Given to?architects who have been licensed for fewer than 10 years, the AIA10 Award recognizes individuals for exceptional leadership in the built environment through service to both their communities and the AIA, as well as through the quality of work performed professionally. ? Sarah’s recognition is a reflection of her dedication to nurturing the next generation of architects, as well as her passion for community-centered design that empowers others to develop their creativity, technical skills, and a deeper understanding of how architecture can positively impact society. Congratulations Sarah, thank you for helping make a difference within the industry. Learn more about Sarah and the AIA10 Award: bit.ly/4eHz01s

We were honored to join the topping-out ceremony for Clark County School District’s new South Career and Technical Academy (CTA) in Las Vegas. ? Designed in collaboration with Simpson Coulter Studio, South CTA sets a new standard for career and technical education within Clark County School District—one of the nation's largest school districts. ? Organized into multiple three-story learning neighborhoods, this open, daylit environment fosters collaboration and hands-on learning. At the heart of the space is a two-story student commons that connects the learning neighborhoods and serves as a communal gathering space for both student and community events. The school is also the first within the district to incorporate an inclusive restroom model, reflecting a commitment to enhancing student safety and well-being. ? We’re excited to celebrate this milestone and look forward to seeing the completed project come to life.

Bruce Vento Elementary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is setting a new standard for centering students and community members in the regenerative design process. This week at EDspaces, Cuningham’s Heidi Neumueller, AIA, LEED AP and Jennifer Garman joined Saint Paul Public Schools Facilities Project Manager Pam Bookhout to share how the new school embodies regenerative design strategies co-created with students, teachers, and community members. Through meaningful stakeholder engagement, Cuningham and the district developed a vision rooted in the community’s priorities, goals, and needs. The result? A regenerative learning environment where play, connection to nature, and discovery are at the heart of the educational experience. Learn more about Bruce Vento Elementary's regenerative design process: bit.ly/3ZDOkGs

According to the 2024 Minnesota Principal's survey, a staggering 94% of principals agree that student mental health challenges pose a significant barrier to learning. They believe these challenges stem from “student trauma, social media engagement, and the struggles of caregivers.” As designers, our work in educational environments can play a significant role in addressing these challenges. Cuningham’s Hailey Wrasman and Allison Mastel are at AIA Minnesota’s Conference on Architecture this week, presenting the firm’s research on trauma informed design principles, and how associated design strategies offer a lens through which learning environments can reduce harm for occupants and provide support for students, staff, and their communities. Learn more about the fundamentals of trauma informed design, and how it is helping Cuningham create a more uplifting built environment that supports healing, empowerment, and well-being for all: bit.ly/3K3YWrj

Cuningham is pleased to announce that Heather Rusch and Bradley Stech have been appointed as the firm's Healthcare Directors. Together, they will work closely to co-lead Cuningham’s healthcare team, creating innovative healthcare solutions that prioritize wellness, enhance both patient and caregiver support, and meet the demands of an evolving industry. Heather and Brad’s comprehensive project and client experience, coupled with their understanding of the broader healthcare industry, strategically positions them to assume Cuningham’s leadership role and navigate the firm through a changing, challenging, and dynamic healthcare market. Learn more about Heather and Brad, and dive deeper into Cuningham’s pioneering healthcare work: bit.ly/3O6X8je

Littleton Public Schools' Explorative Pathways for Innovative Careers (EPIC) Campus has won a Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) Project Achievement Award. ? Given out during the organization’s Annual Conference, the Project Achievement Award recognizes construction projects that “serve as an example to the industry and are true pinnacles of excellence and innovation.” Adapted from the site of a former car dealership, Littleton Public Schools’ EPIC Campus is a beacon for hands-on learning in a state-of-the-art environment. With ample classroom space outdoors as well as indoors, the school is designed to support firsthand experience to prepare students for careers spanning?construction/aerospace trades, healthcare, and natural resource management. ? Congratulations to Jacobs and the entire project team on the creativity, dedication, and collaborative efforts that has made EPIC Campus a benchmark for excellence within the industry. ? Learn more on how EPIC Campus optimizes its existing structures to create a student-driven learning environment that solves real community issues: bit.ly/47D73EZ ? ??: Murmur Ring/Dylan Chandler

Exciting news from the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District—the ground has officially been broken at the Northrup King Building campus. Through a collaboration with non-profit developer Artspace Projects, Inc., this adaptive re-use preserves and develops affordable housing units within the largest complex of artist studios in the state of Minnesota. The project also adds over 8,000 square feet of commercial space and fortifies the integrity of the surrounding landscape by rebuilding natural habitats and ecosystems. By preserving key architectural elements, adding shared resources like bike amenities, a public promenade, and gathering spaces, and integrating regenerative design strategies such as innovative stormwater management and xeriscaping, the campus will be a creative, community-centered hub that also strengthens the surrounding ecosystem. Learn more about the strategies being used to position the campus, and the entire Northeast Minneapolis community, as a continued cornerstone of creativity, history, art, and sustainability: bit.ly/3C3u6OZ BKBM Engineers Emanuelson-Podas Watson-Forsberg Co.

It was a blast to watch Sepideh Emamzadehei represent Cuningham at the Autodesk University 2024 AECO Design Slam. During this high-energy, one-hour competition, Sepideh and EwingCole Director of Digital Technology Craig Barbieri developed and presented their vision for Aeropolis 2050, a futuristic urban development on the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego. ? Their design concept responds to Southern California’s unique environmental challenges—such as rising temperatures, wildfires, seismic activity, and sea-level rise—by pushing the boundaries of regenerative living, featuring solar-powered infrastructure, aerial transportation hubs, AI-optimized urban layouts, desalination towers, tidal-powered energy systems, and kelp farms. ? This year’s Design Slam challenged participants to harness AI design and visualization tools, such as Forma and Veras, to create and optimize their concepts in real-time. Judged on feasibility, sustainability, and "WOW factor," Aeropolis 2050 stood out for redefining what’s possible in urban design. Congratulations to Sepideh for representing Cuningham on this global stage, showcasing our dedication to leveraging emerging technologies to create forward-thinking, sustainable design!

How can master plans leverage cultural considerations and regenerative design to anticipate future needs? ? Cuningham’s Heidi Neumueller is at the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) North Central Regional Conference this week, joining United Tribes Technical College’s (UTTC) President Leander McDonald and Campus Planner Melvin Miner, and American Indian College Fund Vice President of Programs Emily White Hat to share lessons learned from UTTC’s recent master plan, which celebrates Native culture, incorporates resiliency strategies such as carbon footprint mitigation and habitat preservation, and creates a welcoming, safe, connected campus. ? Learn more about the project, and gain insight into Cuningham’s other Tribal campus planning work: bit.ly/3NAHtZn