In February, HGA celebrated milestones on unique projects, including the completion of a headquarters for a toy manufacturer and for a national association. Many HGA-designed public spaces also had milestones including a long-awaited Health and Human Services Center and a ribbon cutting on a waterfront pavilion. Check out these stories and more below.
People News
John Frane, design principal with HGA, has been selected as a judge for ARCHITECT Magazine’s 2024 Architecture and Interiors Design Awards. The annual awards honor architecture and interior design projects for outstanding design and innovation, in 21 categories. With a strong background in visual and performing arts as well as teaching positions at the USC School of Architecture, UC Berkeley and Tulane, John brings a high level of design expertise to the judging panel. Frane and the two other judges will select projects based on creativity, sustainability, and the ability to meet client needs. Learn more about John and the other judges for this showcase of architectural and interior design excellence, here.
Completed Projects
HGA partnered with Jellycat to expand their US Headquarters in Minneapolis, designing a playful and luxurious office that celebrates the toy company’s brand. Beginning with an interactive process to understand what the Jellycat team envisioned for the expanded headquarters, HGA designed a warm, welcoming office that immerses visitors and employees into the Jellycat universe. Vibrant, pastel colors are used throughout, and store-like displays showcase the company’s toys while guiding employees and visitors through the expanded space. A variety of collaborative spaces and conference rooms are placed throughout the office and plush furniture and carpeting creates a sculptural playground for the toys. Read more about the creative, playground-like experience that echoes the company’s mission of sharing joy, here.
The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) new headquarters in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia is now open. HGA lead the design efforts, partnering with strategic planner, pre-construction, general construction, and property maintenance service provider, Pizzano Contractors. The new headquarters includes a welcoming reception area complete with seating for meetings or social events, a bottle wall, and a keg wall, handcrafted by Pizzano Contractors, and a conference and collaboration room equipped with digital video conferencing. The 12,000 square foot facility features a brewery aesthetic including the use of brick, glass, wood, and metal throughout. NBWA represents 3,000 independent beer and beverage distributors across the United States that carry domestic beers, startups, and imported beers from around the world. Learn more about the new headquarters here.
HGA attended the ribbon cutting for Placer County’s long-awaited Health and Human Services (HHS) Center. Serving as the Criteria Architect, HGA programmed the new facility and created the design guidelines. The Center will consolidate Placer County’s HHS departments into one central location, replacing several World War II-era facilities, and create a “one-stop” service model for the communities it serves. It will also consolidate HHS department executives and administrative teams into a contemporary facility encouraging collaboration amongst teams and enhancing employee wellbeing. A model for sustainability, the facility reduces energy use through solar photovoltaic systems and daylighting throughout. The HHS Center is the first building in Placer County to achieve Net Zero energy. Learn more about this design-build partnership with Turner Construction and AC Martin, here.
Project Milestones
The HGA team attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fond du Lac Health Campus of the recently combined health system, Froedtert ThedaCare Health, Inc. The HGA-designed campus in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin will fill a critical need for convenient healthcare services in the growing community, providing access to leading patient care, with emergency services available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. In addition to emergency services, the 25,000 square foot, modern small-scale facility will include inpatient care with outpatient diagnostic and imagining services by ThedaCare providers and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin collectively. A partnership with Miron Construction, the new hospital is expected to be completed in 2025, with a second campus planned for Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Read Froedtert Thedacare Health, Inc.’s press release, here.
HGA attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Paradise Commons at Lake Waconia Regional Park in Carver County, Minnesota. The new HGA-designed waterfront pavilion anchors the lakefront, as part of Carver County’s long-term plan for the park, and serves as a focal point featuring sheltered picnic areas, rental and programming space, and supporting access to the beach and trails. Paradise Commons services will include boat and paddleboard rentals, changing rooms for the nearby beach, an activity room, sheltered seating areas, and a parks and recreation office. Configured as two buildings under one roof, the undulating roof evokes the waves of Lake Waconia. A large events lawn and a dock for ferry service surrounds the pavilion. Paradise Commons is the newest community gathering space available for public use in Waconia, Minnesota.