Cuningham

Congratulations to Cuningham Principal Kari-elin Mock on receiving A4LE Rocky Mountain Chapter’s Dr. William R. Maclay Planner of the Year Award. Given annually to an individual who demonstrates outstanding service, performance or achievement in educational planning, this recognition reflects Kari-elin's unwavering dedication to improving learning environments and her contributions to the A4LE Rocky Mountain Chapter and Global boards. Thank you Kari-elin for your leadership and commitment to shaping the future of education through thoughtful, inclusive planning! Learn more about Cuningham's innovative learning environments: bit.ly/3l2zd9C

How are tenant expectations, sustainability, and remote work shaping the future of apartment living?   Cuningham Principal Amy Cheever is at Minnesota Real Estate Journal's 20th Annual Apartment Summit next week to discuss how innovative design and construction trends are reshaping residential spaces. As part of a panel moderated by Joyce Stupnik, Amy and fellow industry leaders will explore the ways in which architects and developers can craft flexible, connected, and enduring communities. Learn how Cuningham is reframing design through the lens of healthy living to create thoughtful designs that elevate tenant experiences: bit.ly/3He8aQf

We're excited to announce that Cuningham has been named a 2025 NEWH, Inc TopID Award winner in both the North Central and Los Angeles Chapters.   The TopID Award is a prestigious honor determined by NEWH chapter and regional boards to recognize design excellence and promote design firms engaged in supporting NEWH and its mission of scholarship and education. We are incredibly honored to receive these awards! Check out our portfolio to learn how we're designing for ecological and social well-being: bit.ly/3l2zd9C

Cuningham’s design for St. Vrain Valley Schools' New PK-8 has won A4LE Rocky Mountain Chapter's Rockies Merit Award for unbuilt projects. According to the jury, the project was recognized for “fostering connectivity, accessibility, and options, ensuring that all learners have equal opportunities to succeed."   Located in Longmont, Colorado, the school reflects a district-wide commitment to project-based learning, collaboration, and inclusivity. The building’s layout, technology, and programming promotes adaptability and exploration, with spaces that can be easily reconfigured for different learning styles, projects, and community uses. Additionally, specialized labs bookend the main commons, putting learning on display and inviting the community to engage with student work. Key sustainability features include an advanced stormwater management system, energy-efficient systems, strategic daylighting, and the potential for future solar panels.   Sited on a vacant corner of the existing high school campus, the school takes advantage of district-owned property to create a cohesive campus and community hub. Daylight and views from each learning space connect users with their context and much of the school has views towards Longs Peak, a point of pride for the community. The dynamic sawtooth roof of the main commons is drawn from the surrounding mountain range, creating a strong sense of place.   Congratulations to the entire project team on this recognition!

Congratulations to HonorHealth on topping out the expansion to Deer Valley Medical Center.   Designed to enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency, and help HonorHealth meet the needs of its growing North Phoenix community, the approximately 250,000-square-foot expansion includes a new, four-story in-patient tower and renovations to various departments within the existing facility. Highlights include a new front entry, enhanced dining and waiting areas, an improved admitting experience, and a 34-bed unit with two additional shell floors that provide capacity for future incremental expansion.   By studying Deer Valley’s operational flows, Cuningham’s design creates a cohesive space that alleviates overcrowding, optimizes workflows, and establishes a supportive, more streamlined patient experience.   Congratulations to HonorHealth and the entire team on this transformative project that addresses both immediate needs and sets the foundation for decades of exceptional care.

Congratulations to Banner Health on breaking ground for its expansion to the Banner Estrella Medical Center in Phoenix. The new space will add 36 licensed beds and expand and enhance key areas, including the operating room and women and infant services, to meet the region's growing healthcare needs. Together with partners Affiliated Engineers, Inc. Engineers and Kitchell, we are looking forward to seeing this state-of-the-art facility come to life and begin serving it’s community. 

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

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

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

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