HGA

Nestled onto a heavily wooded bluff overlooking the Minne­sota River Valley, the Ceridian Corporation headquarters blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings. The 210,000-square-foot building is organized into two wings, with the lower level stepped into the hillside to reduce the overall height. An entry atrium joins the two sections. The interior planning supports a sense of neighbor­hood and community, a response to Ceridian's culture for teamwork and collaboration. The design promotes growth and flexibility, new technology, employee work/life balance, and workflow efficiencies.

landscape architecture

Eighty percent of the site's 25-acres was preserved through careful construction staging, and restored with native plantings and a comprehensive invasive species management program. HGA worked with the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council to locate and map previously disturbed burial mounds. A new burial mound at the campus center--the most sacred area of the site--was consecrated by descendants of Plains Indians who once inhabited the site in a burial ceremony that lay to rest additional artifacts located by archaeological digs.

The building's massing nestled into the steep topography maximizes views of the river valley and preserves remaining artifacts and native trees. A network of trails traces the bluff contours to minimize environmental impact while allowing employees and local residents to explore the unique ecological and cultural resources located within the campus.