Cuningham

We recently celebrated the start of construction on The Lumber Exchange—a new coworking and community hub that reimagines a historic site in Hayward, Wisconsin.   Blending Hayward’s unique economic and cultural history with the needs of today’s remote workers, entrepreneurs, and community members, the design creates a flexible, light-filled workspace anchored by regional materials, reclaimed details, and a central atrium that creates visual and spatial connections across two levels.   We’re proud to help bring this vision to life and can’t wait to see this new civic landmark open its doors. Learn more about how the Lumber Exchange is designed to support the evolving rhythms of work and community life in northwest Wisconsin: bit.ly/4mxTEG1

Saint Paul Public Schools’ American Indian Magnet School is a PreK-8 rooted in American Indian culture, traditions, values, history, and art. This identity and mission can be seen and felt throughout campus, including in the school’s hallways, which feature a new mural recently donated by local artist Marlena Myles.   “My hope is this artwork immerses all in the interconnectedness of Grandmother Earth,” Myles said. “Just as the small children see the world as a big place, I wanted all to feel the reverence of the life around us, we're all part of that sacred hoop.” Learn more about how Cuningham’s remodel and expansion helps the school advance its pedagogical mission and align with a district-wide commitment to culturally aware, flexible learning environments by thoughtfully integrating nature, cultural connections, and community-focused spaces: bit.ly/4mPS16o   Thank you to Marlena for her artwork. Check out more of her portfolio: marlenamyl.es

We’re proud to announce that Cuningham is now a MindClick-accredited firm through the organization's Hospitality Sustainable Design Collaborative. This accreditation reflects our commitment to sustainability across every phase of hospitality design—from carbon-conscious sourcing and circular practices to healthy materials and socially responsible labor. MindClick accreditation also places Cuningham in alignment with major hospitality brands in the effort to transform the industry through ethical, climate-forward design. We’re honored to be part of this growing movement and look forward to collaborating on spaces that promote environmental and social wellbeing. 📸: Lara Swimmer

Join us in congratulating Cuningham’s Coffee Polk, AIA, NCARB on her reelection as one of National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)’s at-large directors for 2026.   As a steadfast advocate for the training, development, and licensure of aspiring architects, Coffee continues to lead essential conversations about what it takes to prepare the next generation of architects, and was recently featured in AIA Architect digital magazine, examining the gap between architectural education and professional practice. Coffee emphasizes the importance of early technical literacy, and details how Cuningham is helping close this readiness gap by rotating licensure candidates across project types, supporting AXP requirements, and subsidizing exam fees. Congratulations, Coffee, and thank you for your continued support facilitating the licensure and credentialing of architects to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Read the full piece: bit.ly/3H6zYd3

Regardless of project type, off-site construction is a transformative opportunity for developers, owners, designers, and builders. Especially effective for complex projects, off-site construction—including modular and prefabricated methods—is a strategic approach to improve cost, efficiency, and design quality. In Mesa, Arizona, Banner Health's Banner Desert Medical Center needed to expand vertically—adding five floors to an active hospital with minimal disruption. Through a highly coordinated off-site construction approach, the team accelerated delivery while navigating site and scheduling challenges. Using strategic prefabrication, the project saw:  - 56 days reduced from a typical construction schedule - 30 working days with just one crew needed to install the entire exterior skin - $1 million in savings in escalation by utilizing a separate GMP for steel purchases - 0 scaffolding used in patient traffic areas Learn more about Banner Desert Medical Center and download a comprehensive case study on how the project unlocked value with strategic prefabrication: hubs.la/Q03yPPPn0

Cuningham is pleased to announce the appointment of Kitty Yuen, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP as Denver Office Director. A licensed architect and certified interior designer with strong ties to the Colorado design community, Yuen has more than 30 years of experience leading multidisciplinary teams across corporate, civic, higher education, and commercial markets. Her appointment to Office Director reflects her nuanced understanding of Colorado’s unique geographical region and local markets, along with her proven ability to cultivate meaningful partnerships within her community. Learn more about Yuen and how Cuningham’s Office Directors are better equipping the firm to meet the evolving needs of our business partners and the communities we serve: hubs.la/Q03yhnNY0

We are honored that two Cuningham projects—American Indian Magnet School and Minneapolis American Indian Center—have received Finance & Commerce Top Project Awards, a recognition that celebrates the premier projects completed in Minnesota during 2024. Congratulations to the project teams on both of these recognitions! 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 American Indian Magnet School is a Saint Paul Public Schools PreK-8 with a teaching approach rooted in American Indian culture, traditions, values, history, and art. Cuningham’s remodel and expansion helps the school advance its pedagogical mission and align with a district-wide commitment to culturally aware, flexible learning environments by centering nature, cultural connections, and community-focused spaces. Learn more: bit.ly/3CbG0jS 📸: Morgan Sheff 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 A community staple since its opening in 1975, in recent years Minneapolis American Indian Center had begun to show signs of aging and lacked clear connection points to the surrounding neighborhood. To address these issues, a new addition and remodel fosters connection and transparency—reflecting MAIC's desire for a unified, culturally-expressive space that supports the modern needs of its community. Learn more: bit.ly/42Bwjwl 📸: Peter VonDeLinde

We’re excited to announce the elevation two team members—Justin Jablonski, AIA, NCARB, GPCP and Tracy Lee Lauer AIA, PMP—to Associate and Associate Principal leadership roles, respectively. Their elevations reflect their strategic impact on our teams, clients, and the industry at large while demonstrating leadership excellence. Congratulations to Justin and Tracy! Learn more: bit.ly/44ywaJi

“It’s the unexpected that makes it fun.” The Wall Street Journal’s "Open Office" series recently took a trip to Epic’s headquarters in Verona, Wisconsin, to see firsthand how the company is redefining what workplace design can be. From a treehouse conference room to a massive underground auditorium hidden beneath an eight-acre green roof, Epic’s imaginative environments are designed to be comfortable, spark creativity, and drive productivity. Watch the full video to see how Epic and Cuningham are creating a work environment that’s as playful as it is productive — and hear from John Cuningham himself on the design philosophy behind this decades-long partnership.

How can trauma-informed design support the well-being of both residents and caregivers in senior living communities? Cuningham’s Amy Cheeverand Kristi Harris, NCIDQ recently sat down with Environments for Aging to share insights into how inclusive, trauma-informed strategies can enhance quality of life for older adults by alleviating environmental stressors, promoting positive experiences, and strengthening community connections. Read the full interview to learn more: hubs.la/Q03vDQcN0