In July, we celebrated culture and community with a glimpse into the progress of a military museum, designed to honor veterans. Strengthening innovation and the local workforce, we participated in milestones for transformational projects in California including the topping out for a cutting-edge research facility and the groundbreaking for a new science and engineering building. In the Midwest, a hospital that will offer comprehensive healthcare services in a rural community kicked off construction.
Explore these projects and more in this month’s edition of Happening Now below.
New Project
HGA has partnered with the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) in the renovation of their headquarters building in Sacramento, California’s culturally significant Cathedral Square Historic District. Originally built in 1912, the historic building will undergo seismic upgrades, a full renovation, and the addition of a sixth floor, in order to support CSAC’s mission of representing California’s 58 counties before the California Legislature, Administration and various State agencies. Renovations will include updates to the existing five floors, creating open and private office space, collaboration spaces, including meeting and huddle rooms, and a reception area, breakroom and multimedia studio on the first floor. The sixth floor will include a large conference space with supporting functions. Planned for the roof of the addition is a small accessible deck that will offer views of the Sacramento skyline, including the California State Capitol. The project will blend the traditional elements of the existing building with contemporary design concepts to create a functional, dynamic, and efficient workspace that fosters collaboration, productivity, and creativity. Currently in the design stages, read more about these exciting updates, here.
Project Milestones
Construction is halfway complete at the HGA-designed Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley, Minnesota. The HGA team joined a VIP Hard Hat Tour along with Museum leaders and media at the construction site, for a preview of the interior and exterior progress of the museum. Clad in polished concrete panels, the museum aims to honor the dedication and sacrifice of Minnesota’s veterans. Storytelling will be a central aspect of the museum experience to foster veteran resilience, retention, and recruitment. HGA provided site planning, architectural design, interior design, structural and MEP engineering, and landscape design services, to create a space that will resonate with Minnesotans for generations to come. The grand opening is scheduled for late summer of 2026. Watch a segment on the Museum progress, here.
A groundbreaking ceremony for California State University, San Marcos’ new Integrated Science and Engineering Building marked the start of construction on the campuses first state-supported academic building in over 10 years. Designed to accommodate new programs for electrical engineering, computer science, systems engineering and software engineering, the facility will enable CSUSM to expand its enrollment of students in engineering disciplines from 500 to nearly 2,000. A design-build partnership with HGA and CW Driver, the new facility will include teaching and research labs, additional classrooms, student support areas, staff offices, a cafe, and outdoor gathering spaces. Designed to achieve optimal building performance and to meet the University’s sustainability goals, the building will seek LEED Gold certification. Expected to be complete in 2027, learn more about the Integrated Science and Engineering Building, planned to address the growing demand for engineers and computer scientists in the region, here.
HGA was honored to celebrate a significant milestone for the University of California, San Francisco’s Barbara and Gerson Bakar Research and Academic Building, marking the completion of the building’s highest structural point, or topping out. Designed in collaboration with Snøhetta and built by Hensel Phelps, the cutting-edge facility is crafted to inspire collaboration in scientific innovation and advance groundbreaking research efforts in fields such as cancer, diabetes, microbiology, immunology, and cell biology. It will also be the new home for the UCSF School of Nursing. Prioritizing sustainability, the structure will operate on an all-electric system and target LEED Gold certification. Sustainable features will optimize water efficiency, enhance air quality, reduce waste, and incorporate bird-safe glazing. Expected to be completed in 2028, the building will anchor the ongoing revitalization of the campus, integrating seamlessly with the dynamic environment and welcoming the community into the campus. Learn more, here.
Construction has commenced on the new Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital in Laurium, Michigan. HGA attended the groundbreaking celebration for the hospital expansion, designed to provide additional health services and resources in order to better serve the community. The project features a 28,000 square foot addition, modernization of the existing 1920s-era building, redesigned patient rooms, and the addition of imaging, lab, and pharmacy services. A new utility plant and penthouse will safeguard upgraded equipment, enhancing its durability against severe weather. Electrical upgrades will boost efficiency and cut operational costs. Learn more about this transformation, part of HGA’s ongoing collaboration with Aspirus Health to enhance rural healthcare services, here.