Cuningham

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

We were honored to attend the grand opening of Eagle Meadow Homes in Aurora, Colorado, where we helped welcome 93 families into this newly-completed affordable living community.   As the first phase of a three-building complex, Eagle Meadow Homes was designed in collaboration with non-profit Community Housing Partners (CHP) and provides a combination of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units to households between 30-60% of the Area Median Income.   Programmed to maximize residents’ access to nature, the community includes shared gardens, custom nature play areas, picnic areas, and natural walking paths. Swales and xeric plantings are woven into parking areas to soften the hardscape, while a special viewing deck overlooks the nearby Toll Gate Creek Greenway. Additionally, the project is PV-ready and designed for roof-top solar panels to cover the common area utilities.   Congratulations to CHP and the entire project team on successfully completing this community-focused development, creating a safe and supportive environment where residents can thrive. Learn more: bit.ly/3YolOd0

We’re excited to announce the elevation of twelve Cuningham team members to Associate, Associate Principal, and Principal. These leadership title recognitions reflect each individual’s positive, strategic impact on our teams, clients, and the industry at large while demonstrating leadership excellence.   Congratulations to our newly recognized leaders! Learn more about each team member: bit.ly/4dHFtct

Cuningham has been honored with the University of Minnesota Office for Supplier Diversity’s 2024 Supplier of the Year Award.   Given out as part of the office's Awards, Incentive, and Recognition program, this award highlights a major supplier who has shown outstanding commitment to supplier diversity within the university’s community. Cuningham’s selection is the result of several factors, including our recent work developing decarbonization strategies for Morrill Hall, where we made and then exceeded commitments to various Targeted Businesses.   We’re honored by this recognition and remain deeply committed to advancing supplier diversity in our work.

It was another inspiring year at the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) Fall Conference. Cuningham proudly presented Mahtomedi Public Schools Director of Teaching and Learning Jennifer Reichel Ed.D. with the Richard R. Green Scholarship. Her research, “Don’t Waste My Time: Characteristics of Professional Development that Mid-Career Teachers Say They Need,” explores the unique needs of mid-career educators and introduces the Mid-Career Professional Development Design framework to enhance teacher engagement and growth. Additionally, Cuningham’s Heidi Neumueller, AIA, LEED AP and Jennifer Garman, facilitated their second annual workshop with the scholars focused on how to leverage post-occupancy evaluations as a tool to measure space, learning, and well-being. Cuningham is excited to continue working with this group, developing and implementing research frameworks that can elevate the learning experience. Since its inception in 2006, Cuningham has been honored to sponsor the Richard R. Green Scholarship Program, which recognizes and supports excellence in practice-based research by Minnesota school leaders. Thank you Heidi for presenting this year’s scholarship, and congratulations to Dr. Reichel—we look forward to your continued impact on the educational landscape! Learn more about the Richard R. Green Scholarship and Dr. Reichel’s work: bit.ly/3TTK9F4

Congratulations to Saint Paul Public Schools on the grand re-opening of the American Indian Magnet School, a PreK-8 school with a teaching approach rooted in American Indian culture, traditions, values, history, and art.   Cuningham’s remodel and addition helps American Indian Magnet School advance its pedagogical mission while also aligning the facility with a district-wide commitment to flexible and culturally-aware 21st Century learning environments.   Central to American Indian Magnet School’s design is its ability to function as a community gathering space. The school’s library, now reimagined as a long house, is the new cultural heart of the space and the remodel emphasizes open, collaborative areas and flexible  learning spaces that promote personal connections. Located near the culturally-significant Mounds Park and Mississippi River, the school also strengthens connections between these two landscapes for local Native American communities.   We're proud to have contributed to the revitalization of this inspiring learning environment. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the grand opening.

What are the emerging trends shaping senior housing communities? And how can designers partner with developers to create enduring designs and long-term success in an evolving market?    Cuningham Executive Director Amy Cheever is at Minnesota Real Estate Journal's Senior Housing Summit this week for an in-depth discussion on the critical role of partnerships in the senior housing development process. Alongside a panel of experts, Amy will discuss a wide variety of topics, from strategies for repositioning existing properties, to implementing sustainable design practices and navigating municipal collaboration.   Want to learn more about how better partnerships can lead to healthy living environments that empower residents, foster meaningful connections, and improve quality of life for residents and communities? Connect with Amy: bit.ly/3W0Orw9

We were honored to attend the groundbreaking for Dignity Health California's new Sierra Pacific Regional Cancer Center in Redding, California.   This new, free-standing cancer treatment center will expand access to oncology services and give patients a holistic approach to cancer care, with integrative radiation therapies, counseling, infusion treatment, and support groups to address not only the physical but also the emotional and psychological aspects of their treatment journey.   The state-of-the-art facilities will boast advanced diagnostic capabilities, including PET-CT, MRI, CT mammography, and ultrasound. The center will also feature two linear accelerators, with visual access to natural daylight and a sense of the outdoors thus reducing anxiety and increasing patient comfort. Designers also located infusion bays - designed with strategically placed solar tubes that allow daylight into the space - providing views of the Sacramento River and surrounding mountains, creating a more calming environment to receive care.   Scheduled for completion in 2026, the new cancer center will be more than a medical facility; it will be a sanctuary of hope, healing, and compassion for those facing the challenges of cancer. Congratulations to the entire project team on this exciting milestone!