MINNEAPOLIS, MINN – International architecture firm Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. (Cuningham Group) announces that Watertown-Mayer Elementary School is officially recognized as LEED® certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across a number of metrics.
Sustainable goals for the project were in place from the outset as Cuningham Group and the client collaborated on making sustainability a visible priority in the design. Sustainable features of the school include a geothermal well system, efficient water and energy systems, stormwater management, and the use of regional materials and resources. Daylighting is provided to a majority of the learning spaces and a state-of-the-art high efficiency mechanical system brings fresh air into each classroom. Optimizing the energy performance of the building and its systems is projected to result in a 40% energy savings over a conventional building designed to current building code.
The award-winning Watertown-Mayer Elementary School (Watertown, Minnesota) integrates innovative educational design with respect for the local community and environment. Cuningham Group organized the school into neighborhoods to form small learning communities. The flexible setting allows teachers to deliver instruction in a variety of ways and enables learners to succeed based upon individual learning styles, while the plan’s openness and visibility enhance safety and security. The design also celebrates the surrounding landscape with each academic wing having its own identity (farmland, wetland, woodland, prairie).
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 160 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN – International architecture firm Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. (Cuningham Group) announces that its Historic Millwork District Master Plan for the City of Dubuque, Iowa is the recent recipient of multiple awards.
Dubuque Main Street 24th Annual Awards: Dubuque Main Street is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development and ongoing support of downtown Dubuque. Collaborating with the public and private sectors, the organization works to bring about business growth and a spirit of vitality to the city center. Dubuque Main Street recognized the Master Plan as the winner of its “Best Community Initiated Development” category.
Iowa Chapter of the American Planning Association Planning Excellence Awards: The Historic Millwork District Master Plan was honored with an award in the category of “Innovation in Best Practices for Sustainability.” Acknowledging that sustainability practices can impact how places are planned, designed, built, used, and maintained, this category recognizes that planners are in a vital position of leading sustainability efforts within communities that address environmental, social equity, and economic challenges.
1000 Friends of Iowa Best Development Awards: 1000 Friends of Iowa is a statewide non-profit organization that promotes responsible development. Its Annual Best Development Awards program recognizes projects that reflect principles of smart growth and sustainability. The Historic Millwork District Master Plan was selected to receive the award for “Best Leadership” because it is a model for future communities in Iowa where historic preservation and sustainability can be combined on a grand scale to promote a higher quality of life.
About the Historic Millwork District Master Plan
Dubuque’s Millwork District—once the nation’s largest Millwork District—now covers 19 acres and contains over 1 million square feet of vacant warehouse space. The Historic Millwork District Master Plan (“The Plan”) charts a course for the Millwork District to reestablish itself as a regional engine of growth. Upon completion, the District will contain over 1,000 new residents and 1,000 new employees. Individual properties and the public realm will function as an urban ecosystem, and the District will be a unit with high economic value and low environmental impact. The District will stay within its rainfall budget, approach carbon balance, create sustainable jobs and housing, and reinforce the importance of connectivity and diversity within the city.
The Plan provides a comprehensive approach for integrating sustainable practices throughout the implementation process. It organizes the strategies according to five infrastructure systems, or layers, to provide a framework for understanding and implementing a healthy and sustainable plan: 1) Blue Infrastructure addresses water use and treatment approaches that contribute to better water quality. 2) Orange Infrastructure includes efficient electrical, heating, and cooling systems that minimize the District’s carbon footprint. 3) Gray Infrastructure includes buildings, parking, streets, and other redevelopment that is essential to establishing a viable mixed-use neighborhood. 4) Green Infrastructure includes vegetation, parks, and open space that contribute to a healthy ecosystem, better air and water quality, and improved public life. 5) Red Infrastructure includes arts and cultural spaces, amenities, and expressions that reinforce the identity of an area.
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 160 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN – International architecture firm Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. (Cuningham Group) announces that Judith Hoskens, REFP assumed the position of President of the Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) at the Council’s annual conference this September.
As president, Ms. Hoskens wants to be accessible to the membership and “to inspire all those with whom I come in contact to enthusiastically embrace CEFPI’s vision and move our goals forward.”
An active member of the Council for the past 17 years, Ms. Hoskens’ duties have ranged from serving as an at-large member of the International Board to president of the Midwest/Great Lakes regional chapter. She has been chair and jury member for the annual Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture; chair of the jury for National School Building Week; and served on the 2004 and 2005 James D. MacConnell Award juries.
In a 30-year career focused on educational facility planning, Ms. Hoskens has first-hand experience listening to and translating client goals and needs into unique building solutions. The outcome of her efforts can be seen in schools around Minnesota as well as locations throughout the US and overseas. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications and professional journals, and Ms. Hoskens was also a key contributor to Schools that Fit, a book dedicated to creating schools that helps learners succeed in educational environments that meet their unique needs.
Ms. Hoskens was also part of a national team of experts in educational facility planning, smart growth and school community issues that completed a document – commissioned jointly by CEFPI and the Environmental Protection Agency in 2004 – that examines integrating state-of-the-art current and best practices of smart growth issues with effective educational facility planning principles.
Ms. Hoskens was the recipient of the 2002 President’s Award, which is given annually to the individual who distinguishes him/herself in service to the Council and to the field of educational facility planning.
About CEFPI
The Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) is the only professional organization whose principal purpose is improving the places where children learn. CEFPI embraces all stakeholders who are interested and committed to building healthy, safe, high-performing school facilities and stronger communities. The Council functions as the convening organization to share knowledge, experiences and best practices of planning, designing, building, renovating and maintaining learning environments that anchor a community and enhance student achievement. For more: www.cefpi.org
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 160 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN – International architecture firm Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. (Cuningham Group) announces that The Itasca in Minneapolis is the recipient of the prestigious 2009 AIA Minnesota 25-Year Award.
Established by the American Institute of Architects Minnesota in 1981, the 25-Year Award recognizes exemplary architectural projects that have withstood the test of time.
The Itasca is an historic building that was surrounded by railroad and other warehouses for nearly 100 years. Cuningham Group developed a plan to transform it into a mixed-use facility made up of office spaces and 71 custom condominiums. The design maximizes the amenities of the river and solidity of the building, while creating a sense of community.
The most striking aspect of The Itasca is the 200-foot long, eight-story glass wall atrium that filters sunlight from the upper level skylight throughout the building as well as protects the condominiums on the upper floors from noise. Transoms above the doors allow daylight into the condominiums from the interior.
The Itasca was the first loft condominium development in the area, an early example of sustainability, and spearheaded the development seen in this part of Minneapolis today. It reinforces an enthusiasm for recycling worthy old buildings and remains today at the center of a vibrant neighborhood and as an icon for urban community living and working.
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 160 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
I am looking down at the beauty of Alaska on my journey from Los Angeles to Beijing. In China, we will consult with some old clients who have a new zeal for sustainable design in the face of global climate change. They are looking to us to help show them the way. The shrinking fields of snow and ice 35,000 feet below me are clear evidence that there is some urgency to this effort.
In his widely-read book, Hot, Flat, and Crowded, Thomas Friedman challenges us to pick our “easy eight” from his shortlist of 15 ways to save the earth. In order to save it, he states that we need to accomplish eight of the 15 goals. He is also clear that none of these “easy eight” is actually easy or likely to get done anytime soon. Number 15 on his list of goals is to cut electricity use and carbon emissions from buildings by 25%. I am not an expert in the politics, economics, or technical feasibility of most of Friedman’s 15 solutions. However, we in the real estate professions know that this challenge to our industry, in the form of Goal 15, is achievable. The technology and design expertise exist to achieve this goal, and our clients will save hundreds of millions of dollars annually if we do so. But too often, basic principles of good (sustainable) design are set aside for other goals.
I departed from the international terminal at LAX. Tens of millions of dollars are being spent to improve the experience of international travelers arriving in the U.S. At our gate area, the construction was complete. Everything looked new and clean. Indirect fluorescent lighting reflected off a sculpted metal ceiling plane. However something was wrong here. While just six-to-eight feet above that dropped ceiling, the brilliant skies of LA glowed at 10,000 foot-candles, none of that light found its way through the ceiling and into the remodeled gate area. At noon every light fixture was turned on. The well-detailed space looked good but can it be called good design? Is it even acceptable design? Is this the best we can do in constructing the gateway to the self-proclaimed “Greenest City in the U.S.”
We have an intermediate stop at Incheon, just outside of Seoul. The architecture of the new terminal, designed by Fentress Architects Ltd. of Denver, is characterized by soaring glass curtainwalls, clerestories and skylights. These light the entire main level of the terminal and allow the cultivation of its peaceful and welcoming Korean gardens. Outside of the retail and service areas, there are no light fixtures turned on and consuming unneeded electricity.
Our final destination is Beijing. Its new Terminal 3, designed by NACO, Foster and Partners, and ARUP, is one of the greenest terminals in the world. Its main spaces are also characterized by beautiful and effective daylighting.
In these facility examples, the commitment of public officials, architects and engineers to address the basics of sustainable building design and building performance are evident. They have taken obvious steps to reduce electrical power usage through effective daylighting (reducing not only the lighting power load but, more importantly, the air conditioning load that results from the use of artificial lighting). It is important to note that the traveling public rates these two facilities, with their daylit terminals, among the best large airports in the world. LAX has been rated among the worst per surveys conducted by Reuters and published in Dwell magazine.
After landing in Beijing, we head out to visit the site of the proposed Eco City in Tianjin – a joint venture between China and Singapore that will one day have several hundred thousand residents. We become reacquainted with some old friends at the city’s new administration building, an unassuming but pleasant structure that was designed and built in a period of six months. It is mid-morning and we are well into the building: past the entrance, through the voluminous lobby/display area, down corridors and into secondary spaces and I still have not seen a light fixture that is turned on. The day-lighting is pleasant and well modulated, with differing effects but no annoying direct sunlight or glare.
In the U.S. we say that we are past the tipping point on green development – even Walmart sees value in being green. But are we? New museums by our “starchitects”, for example, grace the front pages of the architectural press. Their focus seems to be stunning sculptural shapes that ignore the basics of natural lighting that is so evident in great museum architecture from the daylit galleries of the Louvre to the Kimball.
Ultimately we have an issue on our path to Goal 15. This issue is not a lack of knowledge about green design principles or the availability of green technologies. Design that works in harmony with natural forces and that minimizes its environmental impact can be found in projects of almost any scale and almost anywhere around the globe. However, accountability for building performance is the issue.
ULI touts the benefits of green design and so does the American Institute of Architects which adopted the 2030 challenge. The challenge is that I don’t see either organization, or most of the press that we support, holding owners, developers, architects, engineers and institutions accountable for the performance of their buildings. We need to begin using a language of sustainability whenever we talk or write about building design. Energy intensity can be measured. Water use intensity can be measured. Carbon footprinting of development is more complicated but we need to develop metrics that can be applied to a variety of project types.
Meeting basic levels of sustainable design is not the sole measure of great design and development. Great design has to accomplish so much more than that: providing functional spaces, inspiring spaces, and a reasonable return on the dollars invested. However without achieving performance through sustainable measures, can any 2009 development be called great, good, or even professionally acceptable?
We have the tools, technologies, and knowledge to achieve Friedman’s challenge in Goal Number 15. But we will not do so unless we begin to demand that part of good design is demonstrable project performance.
Footnote
The only practical way to get to and from the LAX terminal is to drive, park, and then ride a shuttle bus. Goal Number 2 on Friedman’s list is cutting carbon emissions by halving the number of vehicle miles traveled. From Incheon air travelers can board a train to downtown Seoul that connects with the extensive metro rail transit system and to a bullet train system that connects major cities in Korea. Similarly, in China we were able to take a bullet train from Beijing to Tianjin, 90 miles away. A network of such trains is also under construction to connect the major cities of China and its other transportation systems. Voters have approved the first stages of design for a bullet train connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco. In 20 years, it might be constructed, but what do you think the chances are? I trust that someone sees the path to success on this and Friedman’s other goals. My focus will be Goal 15.
John Quiter, AIA, LEED®A.P., is Chairman of the Board of Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A., an international architecture, interior design and urban design firm delivering inspired and sustainable design solutions for the places where people live, learn, worship, work, and play.
To see the original article as published in ULI LA – Urban LAndscape, From 35,000 Feet: Saving Earth, Goal Number 15
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN – International architecture firm Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. (Cuningham Group) announces that Watertown-Mayer Elementary School and Washington Technology Magnet Middle School are each the recipient of a 2009 Impact on Learning Award.
School Planning & Management magazine, in partnership with the Council of Educational Facilities Planners International (CEFPI), developed the Impact on Learning Awards Program to recognize K-12 schools that have solved real-world problems through design, engineering, partnerships, or other solutions that have had a positive impact on student achievement, occupant health and safety, the environment, and the community.
A winner in the “Hi-Performance Schools / Whole Building Design” category, Watertown-Mayer Elementary School (Watertown, Minnesota) integrates innovative educational design with respect for the local community and environment. Cuningham Group organized the school into neighborhoods to form small learning communities. The flexible setting allows teachers to deliver instruction in a variety of ways and enables learners to succeed based upon individual learning styles, while the plan’s openness and visibility enhance safety and security. The design also celebrates the surrounding landscape with each academic wing having its own identity (farmland, wetland, woodland, prairie). Sustainable features of the school include a geothermal well system, efficient water and energy systems, stormwater management, and the use of regional materials and resources. Daylighting is provided to a majority of the learning spaces and a state-of-the-art high efficiency mechanical system brings fresh air into each classroom. Optimizing the energy performance of the building and its systems is projected to result in a 40% energy savings over a conventional building designed to current building code.
Washington Technology Magnet Middle School (Saint Paul, Minnesota) was recognized in the “Modernization / Effective Transformation” category. Located in a 1920s’ building cluttered by numerous additions and remodelings, this school needed updating to fulfill its vision of serving as a place where the celebration and visibility of technology engages students in creative learning. Cuningham Group worked with the school and Saint Paul Public Schools to create a visible technology-based learning environment and to clarify a multi-level closed hallway system. The heart of the dramatic renovation is a three-story Technology Gallery that is alive with student interaction. Circulation paths from numerous floor levels now pass through this Gallery in a clear and inviting route. Project labs around this central space redefine the scholastic program by creating interdisciplinary work spaces supported by technology.
The two schools were profiled in the August issue of School Planning & Management and were honored at the recent CEFPI 86th Annual World Conference & Expo held September 27-29, 2009 in Washington, DC.
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 160 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. (Cuningham Group), one of the nation’s leading architecture, interior design and urban design firm, is a winner three times over. In the span of a few short weeks, the firm was identified as one of the “fastest-growing firms” and twice recognized as a “best place to work” from both a national organization and a regional business publication.
The Zweig Letter Hot Firm List, compiled by management consulting and research firm Zweig White, has identified Cuningham Group as one of the 200-fastest-growing architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms in the U.S. and Canada. This annual list features the design and environmental firms that have outperformed the economy and competitors to become industry leaders. This is the third year in a row that Cuningham Group has received such an honor.
Zweig White also recognized Cuningham Group as one of the best places to work from a national survey of architecture firms, civil engineering, structural engineering, multidiscipline A/E, and environmental services firms. Winners were selected based on the results of a comprehensive survey of workplace practices and an independent survey of employees. This is the second year in a row that Cuningham Group has been accorded this distinction.
Cuningham Group was recently named as one of the “Best Places to Work in Los Angeles” for 2009 by the Los Angeles Business Journal. This countywide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Los Angeles County, benefiting the region’s economy, its workforce and businesses. Cuningham Group has been named one of the “Best Places to Work in Los Angeles” in the medium-sized company category for a second straight year.
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in the field of architecture and has grown to over 160 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN––Architectural design firm Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. (Cuningham Group) announces that the firm has ranked as a leader in a number of categories in Building Design + Construction (BD+C) magazine’s 2009 Giants 300 Report.
BD+C surveys the country’s largest AEC firms in the nonresidential building industry. The firms are ranked on billings for work performed in-house. For multi-year jobs, only work from the survey year applies.
Cuningham Group ranked 46th in Top Architects; 19th in Top Hotel Design Firms; 63rd in Top Retail Design Firms; and 69th in Top Office Design Firms. The firm was also listed as being a leader in the Top BIM Adopters and the Top Building Team LEED AP Ranking.
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 200 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN––International design firm Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. (Cuningham Group) announces that two of its projects recently received awards:
Element received an Award of Merit from Pacific Coast Builders Conference’s (PCBC) 46th Annual Gold Nugget Awards and Copper Bleu restaurant won second place in the “Wall Panels” category of metalmag’s Third Annual Architectural Awards program.
Element
Conceived in 1963 by PCBC, the Gold Nugget Awards honor builder/developer excellence throughout the 14 Western U.S. states. Appropriately known as “Best In The West,” the Gold Nugget Awards was the first awards competition to bestow full honors to the architect/planning team and the builder/developer of a winning project. In 1991, it was expanded to include any, and all, international countries. This year’s competition received entries from all 14 Western states as well as countries abroad. Cuningham Group’s Element was one of the winning entries recognized for its exceptional design, planning, and development. Completed in December 2008, Element received an Award of Merit in the Outstanding Attached Project – Mid-Rise For Sale (4 to 7 Stories) Category.
Located in a tight, land-locked urban site in Marina del Rey, California, Element is a thoughtful evolution of loft living. This 50-unit, four-story condominium project is designed with a minimalist approach featuring simple straight lines, solid materials, large openings, delicate steel hanging balconies, and plentiful shading devices. Each of the seven different unit types, ranging from 900 to 1,600 square feet, offers an open floor plan intended to inspire the creativity of its residents. The “empty canvases” allow residents greater personalization of space and flexibility in lifestyle.
Element is a significant example of new construction lofts – a chic design with a strong sustainable concept, built from the ground up rather than converted from an old building. Built with a precast concrete structural system more commonly used for parking structures, the building material of choice provides the solidity and finishes consistent with an urban loft. It eliminated the need for interior columns and shear walls, allowing for the flexible, open floor plan, large living spaces, and floor-to-ceiling windows on at least two sides of each loft. Precast concrete in this project also exudes durability and sustainability, and its use allowed the project to greatly exceed code requirements for this building type and weight. It is a 100-year material and structural system that boasts low maintenance, high adaptability, energy efficiency, reduced environmental hazards, sound proofing, and earthquake resistance.
Element is listed along with the other 2009 Gold Nugget Award of Merit and Grand Award winners on-line at www.goldnuggetawards.com. Winners were announced at the recent PCBC conference held in The Moscone Center in San Francisco, California last June 17-19, 2009.
Copper Bleu
The metalmag Architectural Awards honor the best in metal design and construction in four categories: Interiors, Metal Buildings, Roofs, and Wall Panels. A number of entries were received, but only a few projects proved that their metal was shining bright. Copper Bleu restaurant was among this year’s top winners for its significant and creative use of copper.
Designed by Chicago firm Jordan Mozer and Associates, Ltd. with Cuningham Group as the Architect of Record, Copper Bleu was a 6,500-square-foot restaurant located in Lakeville, Minnesota. The contemporary design of this American bistro was truly unique in this Minneapolis suburb. The building’s copper-clad exterior and other natural materials, like stone and wood, gave it an organic feel. The interior featured an earthy ambiance with ebony floors, curved copper walls, and upward sweep of the ceiling. The modern design included more than 25,000 tubes attached to the ceiling’s light fixtures, refracting light in every direction.
The selection of copper allowed the project to make an impact. Copper’s striking color allowed the restaurant to be easily visible from nearby roads and freeways while blending beautifully with the local landscape. According to metalmag, copper is also a flexible material, “allowing it to conform to the serpentine structures without having to be pre-curved” and a sustainable material. Copper is a recyclable material made with 90% recycled contents.
Copper Bleu is featured in metalmag’s printed and digital May 2009 issue.
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 175 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA –– International design firm Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. (Cuningham Group) was ranked number 39 on ARCHITECT Magazine’s List of Top 50 Architecture Firms in the country. This country-wide survey ranks U.S.-based architectural firms on three criteria: profitability (revenue per employee), sustainable practices (percentage of LEED® projects in 2008), and design quality (based on 2008 awards). Cuningham Group is one of only two Minneapolis-based architectural firms to make this list.
The complete list is available in the May issue of ARCHITECT Magazine and on their website at www.architectmagazine.com.
Cuningham Group was also ranked as one of The Top 500 Design Firms by _Engineering News Record (_ENR). Published annually in April, The Top 500 Design Firms List ranks the 500 largest U.S.-based publicly and privately held architectural, engineering, and environmental firms based on design-specific revenue. Cunigham Group ranked number 287 on this list.
The entire list is available on _ENR_’s April 15, 2009 issue and on-line at http://enr.construction.com.
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 180 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN––International design firm Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. (Cuningham Group) announces that its Watertown-Mayer Elementary School project received the 2009 John N. Shaw Award from the Midwest Great Lakes Region of the Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI).
Created in 2002 in commemoration of John N. Shaw’s 40 years of architectural practice, the John N. Shaw Award recognizes design excellence in educational facility planning in the CEFPI Midwest/Great Lakes Region. This year’s entries were very competitive, and Cuningham Group’s Watertown-Mayer Elementary School project in Watertown, Minnesota reflected innovative programming solutions, creative design process, and excellence in design and functional planning.
Completed in 2007, Cuningham Group designed Watertown-Mayer Elementary School to support Watertown-Mayer Public School’s vision to provide flexible, adaptable, and integrated learning while recognizing the identity and history of the community and surrounding areas. The Elementary School integrates innovative educational design with respect for the local community and the environment with particular emphasis on developing the students’ sense of respect and stewardship for the earth. The flexible learning setting allows teachers to deliver instruction in a number of ways, enabling students to succeed based on his/her individual learning styles.
The 600-student, 1st through 5th grade school was designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver certification. Sustainable features include a geothermal well system for heating and cooling, water-efficient landscaping, low-flow plumbing fixtures, daylighting, and the use of high-efficiency mechanical air handling units.
This is Cuningham Group’s first John N. Shaw Award. Judith Hoskens, REFP, a Cuningham Group Associate Principal and Project Manager for the project, accepted the award at the recent CEFPI Midwest/Great Lakes Regional Conference last April 22-24, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio.
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 180 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A., a leader in restaurant design as well as entertainment, hospitality and corporate design services, has unveiled a new design for Buffets, Inc. The strategic enhancements for the nationwide restaurant family – which includes Old Country Buffet, HomeTown Buffet, Country Buffet, Ryan’s, Fire Mountain Grill and Tahoe Joe’s – cut energy consumption while boosting market share with advanced cooking and serving concepts.
Cuningham Group Principal David Solner, AIA, NCARB, LEED®, A.P., says the new design enhancements penetrate to the core of the restaurants’ business operations.
“Our designs for Buffets, Inc. intend to provide a fresh, branded experience that attracts a new, larger audience,” Solner says. “Our aim is to increase market share by appealing to Americans’ desire for stimulating environments and healthy food choices.”
The changes will debut at the Old Country Buffet in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in May 2009, and may eventually extend to numerous other restaurants within the Buffets, Inc. system. Privately held and based in Eagan, Minnesota, Buffets, Inc. is the largest U.S. steak-buffet restaurant chain, with 536 company-owned restaurants, 14 franchise locations and an estimated 31,000 employees. It pioneered the concept of buffet dining and has restaurants in 41 states.
Among Cuningham Group’s strategic enhancements for Buffets Inc. are:
The Display Grill: This exhibition-style cooking station invites warmth and interactivity, elevating Buffets Inc.’s current Display-Grill popularity to a level not seen in other buffet brands. After testing Cuningham Group’s prototype grill, Buffets Inc. recognized its ability to increase business and may eventually install Display Grills in up to 300 restaurants nationwide. “Buffets Inc. has taken exhibition cooking to a new level by removing barriers between the guest and chef while improving energy costs. The grill is center stage, making custom entrees easy to order. Adjacent exhibition Italian, Mexican, salad and bakery areas add to the excitement as they display all of the sights, sounds and aroma of homemade, small-batch cooking,” says Solner.
The Market Court: The Display Grill is part of a dramatically new, market-themed interior. Departing from a single buffet line, Cuningham Group created a streetscape, improving sightlines and adding serving areas separated into cultural cuisines as well as food groups. New categories include Bakery, Salad Bar and Greens, Italian, Mexican and the Display Grill, with each given its own place and identity. There are also rotating food stations to include Fusion, Asian and other cuisine.
Freshness, Health and Friendliness: Within the Market Court, the interactive Display Grill and cultural cuisine advance buffet dining more completely toward healthy choices. “The restaurant flow is now more social and organic than linear: It gives guests greater control over portions that are prepared right in front of them,” says Solner. “It also heightens their awareness of food groups – such as carbohydrates, proteins and fruits and vegetables – allowing them to balance the savory with the healthy.” The entire Market Court is designed to make these decisions both easy and appetizing, with fresh produce, for example, displayed as it might be at a farmers market.
Energy-Efficiency: Cuningham Group’s reassessment of Buffet Inc.’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, controls and operations resulted in utility costs reduced 20 percent per restaurant in a controlled test. Buffets Inc. is studying how these improvements can be extended to other restaurants in their system.
Diverse Seating: Redesigned dining areas around the Market Court appeal to guests of all ages and energy levels, positioning the restaurants for years of added popularity. “We have exciting street-side seating, more intimate areas, group-size flexibility and private banquet opportunities,” says Solner.
Generational Beverages: The Market Court divides beverages into children and adults stations, creating additional competitive advantages. Buffets Inc. used the greater accessibility to highlight its offerings, including frozen and chilled beverages and freshly brewed coffee.
The Hood Icon: Stylized versions of the new Display Grill hoods will adorn the exteriors of all the updated restaurants, creating a symbol of vibrancy for Buffets Inc. This consolidation of rebranding, restaurant design and energy efficiency enhance brand awareness for the entire family of restaurants.
Eventually, the Minneapolis-based architecture firm’s enhancements will help Buffets, Inc. to create a cohesive national brand across the company’s diverse collection of restaurants. These range in age and décor trends from 1985 to 2005 in all regions of the U.S. The changes fulfill Cuningham Group’s goal of helping to boost its Clients’ bottom lines while making a contribution to improving the environment, adhering to economic, cultural/social and environmental sustainability.
The National Restaurant Association has invited members of Cuningham Group’s restaurant studio to provide personal, interactive consultations to members of the restaurant industry at the annual NRA Show, May 16-19, 2009 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. These “Ask the Design Experts” meetings will provide insights on efficiencies, sustainability and capturing increased market share.
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 180 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – International design firm Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. (Cuningham Group), a leader in gaming resort and entertainment design, announces the opening of River Spirit Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The new 300,000-square-foot gaming facility opened March 31st and will celebrate its grand opening weekend May 1-3, 2009.
Owned and operated by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma, the $195 million River Spirit Casino property includes a number of amenities to complement one of the largest gaming floors in the state. The 90,000-square-foot gaming floor features 2,800 slot machines, 24 table games, 15 poker tables and a high stakes VIP gaming area. Two restaurants, two lounges, a sports bar and the largest buffet in Oklahoma — the 400-seat Visions Buffet — offer guests a variety of dining and entertainment options. The Vegas-style Mystic River Lounge is designed to support large national and local acts and is expected to be one of the casino’s biggest draws for entertainment seekers. A retail shop provides a place to purchase souvenirs as well as other gaming essentials while a six-level, 1,200-space parking garage (to be completed in the Fall of 2009) will increase parking options for patrons.
Inspired by the philosophy “Every Building Tells a Story™,” Cuningham Group’s design of the River Spirit Casino incorporates the culture and history of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma and also draws inspiration from its site along the Arkansas River. Cuningham Group Vice President Thomas Hoskens, AIA, LEED® A.P. noted that the property was not designed with a theme but with the use of historic metaphors interpreted in a modern vernacular. Cuningham Group and consulting architect, Red Thunder Studios, interviewed Tribal Elders and analyzed the site, resulting in a design that is specific to and tells the story of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. “As an example,” says Hoskens, “the intricate patterning used in Muscogee beaded belts provided a cue for the color pattern used on the river side (west) of the building, while orienting the entry to face east expresses a cultural welcoming. Moreover, the building reflects various aspects of the river and river life, which were strong influences in the design.”
Developing the design as a reflection of the river resulted in elements that can be seen as visitors approach the facility and continue on into the building. The red hue of the striated exterior was chosen to be reminiscent of the red clay banks of the Arkansas River and its layered rock and soil, with horizontal light accents suggestive of light reflecting in the water. Cloud-like forms flow from the entrance into the building like a breeze down the river, drawing in guests.
Inside the casino, ceiling and floor patterns reinforce the river metaphor and help with circulation and wayfinding. The water theme is evident and articulated in ceiling elements that use curving, undulating panels and in the design of the buffet that is reminiscent of a fall harvest along the river. Plant life along the river banks in addition to soil, breezes, clouds and the sun were also symbolically referenced throughout, such as with wall coverings that mimic the patterns of the river’s edge and the agriculture it supports. Additional cultural references can be found in the various restaurant settings. For example, Elements Steakhouse & Grille took design cues from the life of tribal ancestors and the interior design includes basketry, art and photography to portray early cultural traditions. In addition, private seating areas are separated from the main dining with wood and metal screens that emulate historic wattle and daub construction. Hoskens notes, “The combination of these elements captures the story of the Tribe while providing a sophisticated setting as called for by the casino’s location and demographic.”
As with all its designs, Cuningham Group considered the environment before specifying products and materials. Smart decisions from the onset regarding water, site and materials helped to reinforce a sustainable approach to the design.
Cuningham Group provided concept design, master planning, architecture and interior design services for all elements of the property. Future plans at River Spirit Casino call for a hotel and events center along with additional structured parking.
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 190 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
About River Spirit Casino
River Spirit Casino pays tribute to the heritage of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Beginning in 1984 as Creek Nation Casino-Tulsa Bingo, they quickly grew to become one of Oklahoma’s leading Indian gaming facilities. Today, they begin a new era in the gaming industry with the opening of River Spirit Casino—a one-of-a-kind gaming, dining and entertainment experience. As an active community partner, River Spirit Casino provides a positive economic impact for Tulsa and the surrounding area. The new facility employs around 1,300 people and has created over 650 new jobs. River Spirit endeavors to become an exciting tourist attraction and true travel destination for Oklahoma. Proceeds from the gaming operations help to fund a variety of Muscogee (Creek) Nation service programs such as housing, education, elderly assistance and healthcare. For more information visit www.creeknationcasino.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN – International design firm Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. (Cuningham Group) announces that its Isleta Casino & Resort – Hotel/Convention Center project received a FAB Award recognizing excellence in interior design. Sponsored by the Northland Chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), each entry in the FAB Awards program is judged for the success with which the project has met its individual requirements and exhibits a Fresh, Artistic, and Brilliant approach to interior design. Isleta Casino & Resort – Hotel/Convention Center is the 2009 winner of the Hospitality category.
Cuningham Group’s design of the new Hotel/Convention Center on the existing Isleta Casino & Resort property dramatically expands the resort’s offerings and elevates it to the level of a true destination resort. Some of the more unforgettable experiences that make this project Fresh, Artistic and Brilliant include a stunning glass atrium; an outdoor “Spa Jar” in the shape of Pueblo pottery; a uniquely round meeting room; a striking, barrel-vaulted, convention space; and the continuity of a rich palette of materials and regional architectural detailing that complement these spaces.
“The poetry of the landscape” and the client’s cultural history inspired the design of the new hotel with three essential metaphors influencing the architecture and interior design: adobe, feathers and pottery. These artistic elements of the client’s culture and history are represented throughout from the soaring lobby atrium with feather-like sunscreens to historic photographs that become part of the experience when backlit and placed in niches along the retail concourse. Each of the 201 hotel rooms features pottery created by tribal artisans. Color palettes—both interior and exterior—are drawn from the deep blue of the sky and the rich reds, ocher and tans of the native soil and landforms.
The FAB Award judges were impressed by Iselta’s dramatic spaces such as the lobby and jar-shaped spa. They noted the use of materials as both modern yet providing warmth to make the spaces very comfortable. The project told a story through the use of materials and careful detailing carried through the entire property. Judges commended the Cuningham Group team on the level of organization and talent required to successfully complete this scale of project.
This is Cuningham Group’s fourth FAB Award since the program started six years ago. Members of the firm were on hand to accept the honor at an awards banquet held April 9, 2009.
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 190 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN––Architectural design firm Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. (Cuningham Group) announces that the Stoughton Road Revitalization Plan project received a Planning Award from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA).
The Wisconsin APA Awards give recognition to outstanding achievements in planning and to publicize persons and organizations whose activities advance planning in Wisconsin. Projects are judged on originality and innovation, transferability, quality comprehensiveness, public participation, role of planners, effectiveness and results and intergovernmental cooperation.
The Stoughton Road Revitalization Project (SRRP) Plan is about improving the physical, visual, and functional relationships between eight Madison neighborhoods and a four-mile segment of Stoughton Road, a regional arterial that also acts as a neighborhood “main street.” To do so, the SRRP Plan establishes land use and design guidelines that transform the corridor from a long, undistinguished, and nondescript highway to a neighborhood-serving road with a series of identifiable gateways, landmarks, and neighborhood-oriented places that reflect community identity.
The plan recommends using natural systems as the overall development armature. Wetlands, meadows, and prairie landscapes provide development boundaries and dictate where urban impacts should be gentle and where they can be more intense. In addition, the plan presents strategies for realistic, incremental implementation. This approach offers predictability for existing, new, and potential investors, and enables the planning and development communities to act now with confidence.
“This corridor plan was of exemplary quality,” said the jury. “It contained many good ideas for rescuing a highly divisive highway corridor. The plan proposed ways to make the road more of a seam than an edge, and to heighten the sense of place through land use, building placement, streets, landscaping, site planning and public art. Thus, the plan can serve as a guide and inspiration for many other cities with similar problems.”
With widespread public support, the Stoughton Road Revitalization Project Plan was adopted by the City of Madison in July 2008.
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 200 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN—Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. announced that Michael Strand, AIA has been promoted to Principal; Sara Rothholz Weiner, AIA and Paolo Lovagnini, AIA have been promoted to Associate Principals; and Bret Thompson has been promoted to Associate in the internationally known design firm.
Michael Strand, AIA serves as Operations Leader for the firm’s Resort/Hospitality Studio. He brings more than 15 years of experience in the design and project management of a variety of project types, including hospitality, educational, retail, commercial, housing, religious and corporate facilities. Strand brings special expertise to projects with challenging schedules and budgets, gained from his experience with numerous design/build projects and projects completed by way of multiple phased documentation and fast-track construction. He has a history of successfully balancing the owner’s programmatic and design requirements with the construction team’s budget and schedule. Strand’s recent project experience includes the Harrah’s Cherokee Great Smokey Mountains Resort in Cherokee, North Carolina; and the original Epic Systems Corporation Corporate Campus in Verona, Wisconsin. Strand is a member of the American Institute of Architects and is a LEED® Accredited Professional.
Sara Rothholz Weiner, AIA serves as Director of Cuningham Group’s C3 Studio. She has more than 20 years of experience and an established reputation as a leader in the design of unique and responsive environments for both public and private sector clients. Over the course of her career, Weiner has had the opportunity to work on over one million square feet of workplace environments, as well as multiple library projects. Her recent work with Cuningham Group includes Epic Systems Corporation in Verona, Wisconsin; law firm Halleland Lewis Nilan & Johnson, P.A. in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Northeast Library in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Weiner is a member of the American Institute of Architects and is a LEED® Accredited Professional.
Paolo Lovagnini, AIA has more than 20 years of experience in architecture, including acting as team leader, project designer and construction administrator on a variety of projects including educational, restaurant, retail, theater, hotel and casino projects. Recent experience includes Watertown-Mayer Elementary School in Watertown, Minnesota; Fontana Middle School in Fontana, California; and Kaiser Permanente Medical Office in Santa Clarita, California. Lovagnini serves as the head of operations for Renfro & Cuningham, Inc., the firm’s Bakersfield office. Lovagnini is a member of the American Institute of Architects and is a LEED® Accredited Professional.
Bret Thompson is a resourceful team member with more than 10 years of experience in three-dimensional design. He is a leader in the implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) at Cuningham Group, serving as the Revit support manager and training staff members in the program. Thompson has applied this experience on projects such as the Epic Systems Corporation in Verona, Wisconsin and the Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel in Cherokee, North Carolina.
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 200 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
BAKERSFIELD, CA— Renfro & Cuningham announces the opening of the new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) registered San Joaquin Bank on Panama Lane and Stine Road in Bakersfield, California.
The Bakersfield office of Renfro & Cuningham worked with San Joaquin Bank to accomplish their goal of building a new branch designed to meet the highest certification as possible. The resulting design not only incorporates the Bank’s sustainable vision but also features a unique and signature building for San Joaquin Bank.
Renfro & Cuningham designed the new 4,805-square-foot branch to substantially outperform the industry environmentally as well as provide a healthy and comfortable environment for the bank’s employees and customers. Sustainable features include plumbing fixtures that reduce domestic water consumption by more than 40%, photovoltaic (solar) panels, clerestory glass windows for natural day lighting, and a heating/air conditioning system that promotes maximum efficiency and energy conservation. Renfro & Cuningham selected eco-friendly and natural resources such as materials with recycled content, low VOC (volatile organic compound) adhesives, and wood-based products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, a non-profit organization devoted to responsible management of the world’s forests. Seventy-five percent of the construction waste materials that typically would have gone to a landfill site were diverted and ultimately recycled. The new San Joaquin bank is seeking LEED® certification.
The Grand Opening is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2009 at the new branch with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a celebration hosted by the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce. The bank will be open for business beginning Friday, February 27, 2009.
About Renfro & Cuningham
Renfro & Cuningham is the Bakersfield office of Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. practicing in Kern County. The firm transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 200 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.renfrocuningham.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN — International architecture firm Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. (Cuningham Group) announces that Watertown-Mayer Elementary School was awarded a citation by the 2009 Architectural Jury of the American Association of School Administrators/American Institute of Architects/Council of Educational Facility Planners International as part of the Shirley Cooper and Walter Taylor Awards Program.
Named for the founders of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Architectural Exhibit established in 1949, the Shirley Cooper Award, the Walter Taylor Award and associated citations are given in recognition of projects that exemplify outstanding design and educational purpose. The program supports the notion that well-designed school facilities promote student growth and achievement.
Designed to support the Watertown-Mayer Public Schools’ vision to provide flexible, adaptable and integrated learning while recognizing the identity and history of nearby communities, the new Watertown-Mayer Elementary School integrates innovative educational design with respect for the local community and environment. Cuningham Group organized the school into neighborhoods to form small learning communities for grades 1-5. The flexible setting allows teachers to deliver instruction in a variety of ways and enables learners to succeed based upon individual learning styles, while the plan’s openness and visibility enhances safety and security. The design also celebrates the surrounding landscape with each academic wing having its own identity (farmland, wetland, woodland, prairie).
Sustainable features of the school include implementing geothermal well system, promoting water and energy efficiency, managing stormwater, and using regional materials and resources. Daylighting is provided to a vast majority of the learning spaces and state-of-the-art high efficiency mechanical systems are used to bring fresh air into each classroom. Optimizing the energy performance of the building and its systems is projected to result in a 40% savings in energy costs.
Watertown-Mayer Elementary School and the other winners of the Shirley Cooper and Walter Taylor Awards Program will be honored at an awards ceremony at AASA’s National Conference on Education in San Francisco, February 19-21, 2009. All projects will be on display as part of the 60th Anniversary of the AASA Exhibition of School Architecture.
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 200 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN – Architectural design firm Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. (Cuningham Group) announces that its Arkansas House of Prayer project is the recipient of two prestigious design awards: a 2008 Design Merit Award from Faith & Form magazine and The Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture (IFRAA) in the category of Religious Architecture – New Facilities and a 2008 Wood Design Citation Award from Wood Design & Building magazine.
The Faith & Form/IFRAA International Awards Program for Religious Art & Architecture is co-sponsored by Faith & Form Magazine and the Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture (IFRAA, a knowledge community of the American Institute of Architects) and was founded in 1978 with the goal of honoring the best in architecture, liturgical design and art for religious spaces. 2008 marks the fourth time a Cuningham Group project has been recognized with an award from this program. Conversely, this is the first time Cuningham Group has been honored by the Wood Design Awards Program, which is the only combined program for U.S. and Canadian architects honoring design excellence in all types of buildings and interiors in which wood has significant use. The Arkansas House of Prayer was one of twelve projects selected from over 200 entries.
Completed in February 2008, the Arkansas House of Prayer can best be described as a place of silence, set apart from the turmoil of daily life, where an individual may be at one with his/her spiritual creator. This concept inspired the design of the intimate ecumenical meditation chapel located ten miles west of Little Rock for the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas.
The experience at House of Prayer begins with a stone path that transverses the site and invites visitors into an open forecourt where a Pre-Meditation Garden offers a quiet and shaded place to gather. Upon entering the building, the Pre-Meditation Room is the first space encountered and it functions as a transitional area where visitors remove footwear as a symbol of shedding worldly burdens. The progression continues into the heart of the facility––the 16-sided birch paneled Meditation Space. There is no sound within this circular oratory where silent reflection is the primary activity. The cone-shaped ceiling draws each visitor to contemplate the oculus or skylight [the divine], the central earthen ring [the earth], and the wood paneled diaphragm [the enclosure]. The extraordinary acoustic qualities of the space are likened to being within the confines of a guitar. Finally, the Meditation Garden places an exclamation point on the experience with elevated terrace, Trespa wood deck, and reflecting pool from which each guest can observe the forest within the tree canopy. Visitors experience the seasons and eventually transition back to daily life in this open-air garden.
Both Faith & Form and Wood Design & Building published special issues honoring the respective award-winning projects for each program. In addition, the project will be on display along with the other Faith & Form/IFRAA winners this April at the 2009 National Convention of the American Institute of Architects in San Francisco.
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 200 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.––International architectural firm Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A., a leader in hospitality design as well as interior design, urban design and planning services, announced that it designed Red Hawk Casino, which celebrated its grand opening on January 22, 2009. Red Hawk Casino is a new 278,000-square-foot facility located 20 minutes east of Sacramento in the Sierra Nevada Foothills.
Red Hawk Casino incorporates the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians’ culture while also taking advantage of the beautiful vistas of the region. Cuningham Group Vice President Thomas Hoskens, AIA, LEED® A.P. noted that the property was not designed with a theme but with the use of historic metaphors interpreted in a modern vernacular. “Our design philosophy is ‘every building tells a story.’ Cuningham Group and Baker Barrios Architects interviewed the Tribal Elders and analyzed the site, resulting in a design that is specific to and tells the story of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.”
Cuningham Group designed the exterior of the facility to both honor the past and celebrate the future, while informing guests about the Miwok’s culture and history. “Three main cultural references were used,” said Hoskens. “The curved structure in the entry porte cochere and entry roof is representative of the typical round form of the Miwok historic Winter House; the porte cochere waterfall is symbolic of the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers where the Tribe lived for many years; and the native basketweaving patterns in the shape of a ‘V’ which symbolizes a basket full of blessings.”
The casino’s 88,000-square-foot gaming floor includes 2,000 slot machines and 75 table games; a high-stakes gaming room; and four bars. The facility also includes a buffet and five distinctive restaurants including Henry’s Steakhouse, which features a wine list with more than 400 labels from Napa, Sonoma and El Dorado Counties, Calif., along with wines from around the world. Red Hawk Casino is also home to Red Hawk Traders gift shop, a child care center and more than 3,000 lighted and covered parking spots that are part of an eight-level parking garage and surface lot.
Red Hawk Casino is managed by Lakes Entertainment, Inc. for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.
About Cuningham Group
Cuningham Group® transcends tradition with architecture, interior design, urban design and planning services for a diverse mix of client and project types. Our client-centered, collaborative approach incorporates trend-setting architecture and environmental responsiveness to create projects that weave seamlessly into the urban fabric. Founded in 1968, the firm is consistently recognized as a leader in a variety of markets and has grown to over 200 employees in offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Bakersfield, Madrid and Seoul. For more information, please visit www.cuningham.com.
About Red Hawk Casino
Red Hawk Casino is owned by the Shingle Springs Tribal Gaming Authority, an instrumentality of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. It is located near Placerville, Calif., off the Red Hawk Parkway exit of Highway 50, just 20 minutes east of Sacramento. Red Hawk Casino is managed by Lakes Entertainment, Inc. and blends a full complement of gaming excitement with the natural beauty of Northern California. Red Hawk Casino features approximately 2,000 slot machines, 75 table games, six restaurants, four bars, and lighted, covered parking. Please play responsibly. You must be 21 years of age to gamble. More information can be found at www.redhawkcasino.com.