Research Archives - Cuningham Group

March 30, 2020 Design, Research

How Much Walking is Too Much Walking? This Dynamo Script Tells You How Your Design is Doing.

Being a nurse requires walking. A lot of walking, in fact. Sure, it’s part of the job. But how much is too much? And what can architectural design do to start making an impact on these outcomes? These were questions that came up when Cuningham Group Medical Planner Heather Castro, AIA, EDAC, WELL® AP, LEED®..

January 20, 2020 Research

Promoting a Better Built Environment through 21st Century Development

Principal Jeffrey Mandyck was instrumental in the formulation of the 21st Century Development model and matrix, which aims to create regenerative built communities. Read about the project and its history below. Formulation In 2015, the McKnight Foundation approached AIA Minnesota in hopes of establishing an award to recognize Sustainable Regional Development (SRD). In response, AIA..

January 15, 2020 Design, Research

Immersive Technologies: How Architects Can Position Themselves For Future Success

Almost 40 years ago, architects began designing and documenting with computers, sparking what has been referred to as the “digital turn” in architecture. Today, increased computing capabilities and improved data storage are leading to what some consider a second digital turn.1 Included in this shift is a renaissance in immersive technologies — visualization platforms such..

May 16, 2019 Design, Research

A Message Just for You: Forced Perspective as a Wayfinding Tool

A traveler is walking through an airport, in a crowd of people all bound for different destinations. She wonders which way she should walk to get to gate B33. Suddenly, she receives a message intended only for her, directing her to turn left at the next intersection — a message none of the hundreds of..

May 8, 2019 Research

Supporting Sustainable Design With Client Surveys

According to the EPA-sponsored National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS), Americans spend as much as 87 percent of their lives indoors. With so much time spent in buildings, architecture firms like Cuningham Group are uniquely positioned to improve the health and well-being of their clients, as well as the health of the natural environment in..

April 22, 2019 Research

Sustainability and Wellness Goals

“Cuningham Group has a long track record of sustainable design achievement, initiated by John Cuningham himself. In the last few years, we have made many efforts to re-capture a leadership position among design firms, starting with our signing the 2030 Challenge and the 2030 China Accord. We are constantly pushing our design teams, clients, and..

February 6, 2019 Design, Research

The Emerging Link Between Ventilation Strategies And Academic Achievement

A version of this piece was originally published in the Fall 2018 edition of Learning By Design Magazine While there has been plenty of speculation and some evidence over the years about the impact of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) on learning, the recent Harvard School of Public Health’s “CogFx” study1 has provided overwhelming evidence connecting..

December 5, 2018 Design, Research

The Room Fitness Monitor

How can sensor data directly inform the experience of everyday building occupants? The last three decades have seen a proliferation of sensors and network connectivity in objects ranging from the everyday to the one-of-a-kind. This rapidly increasing digital neural network, often referred to as the “Internet of Things” (IoT), is poised to completely restructure the..

November 7, 2018 Design, Research

Equity & Diversity: Gender Diversity

Cuningham Group conducted a presentation series this year on Gender Equity and Diversity. Organized by a team of our employees, we discussed the factors that go into making a firm successful. Cuningham Group continuously strives to be a leader in equity and diversity, which we view as a main component of firm success. Throughout the..

October 25, 2018 Design, Research

Inclusive Restrooms (A4LE LearningSCAPES 2018)

Last year, Cuningham Group launched an expansive 5-year strategic plan (2017-2021). Part of this plan included the formation of a cross-disciplinary Research Council consisting of Cuningham Group employees. The mission of this council is to conduct formal, directed research on a wide array of topics in order to advance the firm’s standing as a leader..

September 12, 2018 Design, Research

Bird Safe Glazing

There are four general types of threats the built environment poses to birds. These threats, which can result in fatal collisions, are reflectivity, transparency, a beacon effect and interior illumination. However, by adjusting a structure’s glazing and its interior and exterior lighting features, these threats can be mitigated. This post highlights some of the common..

August 3, 2018 News, Research

Congratulations to Cuningham Group’s newest WELL Accredited Professionals!

Interior Designer Hailey Wrasman joins Architects Andrew Tisue and Heather Castro as Cuningham Group’s WELL accredited professionals (AP). Our firm works to make advancements towards “health and well-being in buildings and communities across the world.” The WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP) credential denotes expertise in the WELL Building StandardTM and a commitment to advancing human..