Cuningham

Valleywise Health Medical Center has received AZ Big Media's 2025 Real Estate Development (RED) Award for “Healthcare Project of the Year.” ? The RED Awards celebrate significant contributions to Arizona’s commercial real estate sector by honoring its top architects, contractors, developers, and projects. Valleywise’s recognition is a reflection of the hospital’s commitment to innovative design, elevated patient care, and its role in serving Maricopa County’s growing population. ? Designed to deliver exceptional care rooted in safety and compassion, Valleywise Health Medical Center is a new, 233-bed, 10-story, 687,000-square-foot facility providing exceptional, tailored care for the diverse needs of Maricopa County’s 4.5 million residents. As Arizona’s only public teaching hospital, Valleywise Health Medical Center also enhances the health and well-being of an entire region as it trains the next generation of healthcare providers. ? Not only does the new facility help Valleywise Health advance its vision of being a nationally recognized leader in community-based care, it also enhances the Diane and Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center, one of the nation’s preeminent burn programs. Other program areas include a Level 1 trauma emergency department, 14 operating rooms, and Women’s and Pediatric programs. Congratulations to the entire project team on this recognition. Learn more about how the new facility helps Valleywise Health advance its vision of being a nationally-recognized leader in community-based care: bit.ly/3QUO7c5 ??: Samuel Forrest

Saint Paul Public Schools' American Indian Magnet School is a PreK-8 with a teaching approach rooted in American Indian culture, traditions, values, history, and art. Cuningham, alongside Full Circle Indigenous Planning + Design, LLC, recently completed a remodel and expansion of the school that advances its pedagogical mission and aligns with a district-wide commitment to culturally-aware, flexible learning environments. ? Designed to reflect First Nations' connection to nature, each floor in the new school represents an ecosystem—from earth and water on the main level, through prairie and forest, to the sky at the top. As students advance grades, they progress through these evolving ecosystems, mirroring their educational journey. On each level, natural materials, abundant daylight, and outdoor connections foster creativity, well-being, and a deeper relationship with the environment. ? At the heart of the school, the redesigned Circle Space serves as both a ceremonial lodge and a gathering area for meals, events, and celebrations. Additionally, the remodeled Long House, a cultural hub for song, dance, and ceremonies, now connects seamlessly to the school’s main media center and a new community partner suite that provides essential services, reinforcing the school’s role as a cornerstone of support for students and families. ? Learn more about how American Indian Magnet School’s transformation celebrates culture, incorporates nature, and builds community: bit.ly/3CbG0jS ? ??: Morgan Sheff

As the U.S. faces a growing mental health crisis—exacerbated by financial stress and a severe housing shortage—Cuningham is rethinking how homes can better support the people who live in them. This is the basis of our Healthy Living design approach, which puts resident well-being first and integrates principles of trauma-informed design to create spaces that foster safety, privacy, and a sense of belonging. By prioritizing empowerment, beauty, dignity, community connection, and stress reduction, we craft environments that actively help residents thrive. Learn more about how Cuningham is empowering residents and creating healthy, thriving communities: hubs.ly/Q03bQkrK0 ??: Corey Gaffer

History and hospitality converge at Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino's new hotel. A transformative part of the Spokane Tribe of Indians’ strategic master plan, this 175-key hotel and performance venue elevates a small tribal casino into an expansive resort destination, attracting a broader clientele and positioning it alongside larger competitors. Extensive research and exploratory sessions with tribe members informed Cuningham’s design approach, which is deeply rooted in cultural knowledge, traditions, and connections to the surrounding landscape. Cleverly integrated into the existing gaming floor and restaurant areas, the hotel fosters a warm and inviting environment filled with meaningful references to tribal heritage. Thoughtfully selected materials celebrate the tribe’s legacy, creating a space that honors both tradition and innovation. From a lobby that showcases artwork from tribe members to a fa?ade inspired by traditional teepee frameworks and the surrounding natural landscape, the new space seamlessly blends cultural storytelling with modern hospitality, reinforcing Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino as a symbol of cultural preservation and economic growth. Learn more about how Cuningham’s design ensures the new hotel and performance venue is both a reflection of the tribe’s rich history and a foundation for its future: bit.ly/4hdCrhU ??: Lara Swimmer

Cuningham is proud to announce that Tracy Lee Lauer AIA, PMP has been appointed Healthcare Market Sector Leader for the firm's Phoenix office.? ? With over 27 years of experience designing and planning complex healthcare environments, Tracy’s comprehensive understanding of the Phoenix and broader Arizona healthcare markets strengthens Cuningham’s ability to create spaces that prioritize wellness and enhance both patient and caregiver support. ? Tracy’s appointment to Healthcare Market Sector Leader marks an exciting chapter for Cuningham’s team in Phoenix; we look forward to the impact her leadership will bring to our projects and partnerships in this dynamic region.? ? Learn more about Tracy: bit.ly/3XjWcNA

We’re excited to announce that East 7th Grandfamilies Apartments has broken ground and is now officially underway. ? Located at a critical intersection in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where 7th Street transitions from commercial zoning to residential neighborhoods, this affordable mixed-use development transforms a former 3M industrial site into a vibrant, connected community—advancing Project for Pride in Living (PPL)'s mission to “build hope, assets, and self-reliance for individuals and families through affordable housing and career readiness services.” ? Rooted in Cuningham’s healthy living design approach and research on trauma-informed design principles, East 7th Grandfamilies Apartments’ 60 affordable housing units will be paired with community-oriented amenities, such as a fitness room, playground, and outdoor patio space—creating a nuanced approach to urban density that ensures residents have access to welcoming spaces. ? The project is also built around sustainability and is in the process of achieving LEED Silver Certification through innovative energy and water conservation strategies, including a 35% reduction in water usage and a 20% reduction in energy consumption, compared to projects of similar scope. ? As construction begins, we’re proud to celebrate this milestone with PPL and all partners who are helping bring this transformative project to life.

Cuningham has a new office location! We are excited to announce the opening of our Orlando office, the firm's seventh U.S. location and first permanent presence in Florida. This expansion underscores our commitment to the region’s dynamic themed entertainment and hospitality industries. ? The new office will also enhance Cuningham’s geographic reach by serving as a strategic location to expand our other well-established market sectors, including healthcare, education, workplace, mixed-use, and residential. Across markets and geographical regions, we remain dedicated to providing our clients with creative, innovative design solutions that positively impact the communities where we live, learn, work, and play. We can't wait to keep building on decades of bringing visionary concepts to life. Learn more about Cuningham's newest location, our themed entertainment expertise, and connect with our team: bit.ly/42MXHaF

A huge congratulations to Cuningham Associate Matthew Trotter, AIA, NOMA, NCARB on being appointed the President of SoCalNOMA - Southern California Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. As a chapter of National Organization of Minority Architects, SoCal NOMA?is a professional organization focused on the enrichment and advancement of architects and designers of color. Members include architects, designers, faculty, and students, specializing in various area of the built environment. Matthew’s appointment to President continues his extensive involvement with the organization, from planning and running SoCal NOMA’s Annual Summer Camp to serving on the group’s Executive Board from 2017-2021, during which time he founded the Developing Professional Group—empowering minority design professionals to reach licensure by providing mentoring, educational seminars, study materials, and financial aid. Most recently, Matthew served as the SoCal Chapter’s First Vice President. He’s already making an impact, leading the chapter’s Altadena Rebuild Coalition, which is focused on supporting Altadena’s historic black community as it recovers from the recent wildfires in Los Angeles. Learn more about Matthew and read his 2025 Chapter President’s Letter: bit.ly/4jCzEBn #SoCalNOMA

A next-generation learning environment uniting communities on Minnesota's Iron Range. In 2020, the northern Minnesota communities of Virginia and Eveleth-Gilbert recognized a shared desire to elevate education quality for future generations and took the bold step to consolidate into the new Rock Ridge School District. Through extensive collaboration with Rock Ridge School District and partner firm?DSGW Architecture, Cuningham’s design for Rock Ridge High School advances the district’s founding mission by creating a progressive learning environment that emphasizes 21st-century skills, introduces career-oriented pathways, connects indoor and outdoor spaces, and preserves natural ecosystems and a regional identity. Learn more about this innovative learning environment:?bit.ly/3jXOIfQ

As one of the oldest urban Native American centers in the nation, the Minneapolis American Indian Center (MAIC) provides essential services to more than 10,000 community members each year and is a cornerstone of the Franklin Avenue Native American Cultural Corridor—hosting programs that promote education, healing, cultural awareness, and employment opportunities. ? A community staple since its opening in 1975, in recent years MAIC had begun to show signs of aging and lacked clear connection points to the surrounding neighborhood.?To address these issues, a new addition and remodel fosters connection and transparency—reflecting MAIC's desire for a unified, culturally-expressive space that supports the modern needs of its community. ? Working as a consultant to Full Circle Indigenous Planning + Design, LLC, Cuningham served as the project’s interior designer, landscape architect, and architect of record, embracing a thoughtful and contemporary approach that honors Indigenous identity while creating a functional and welcoming environment. Learn more about this impactful, community-centered project: bit.ly/42Bwjwl ??: Peter VonDeLinde