In Minnesota, great design doesn’t happen in a vacuum — it happens through people, place, and purpose. For more than 73 years, our Minneapolis office has been deeply rooted in the Twin Cities, building lasting relationships and leaving a meaningful mark on the communities we call home. And in Rochester, our team has grown alongside one of the Midwest’s most dynamic cities — shaped by a deep connection to the medical and research community anchored by Mayo Clinic, and a commitment to design that supports health, innovation, and quality of life.
Local Pulse is your inside look at the heartbeat of our Minneapolis and Rochester offices: the talented individuals driving innovative work, the projects shaping communities, and the culture that makes it all possible. From community engagement and sustainability initiatives to team milestones and market insights, Local Pulse highlights the stories that define who we are and what we stand for here in Minnesota — and beyond. Pull up a chair — there’s a lot worth knowing.
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Scott Aspenson joins HGA
Scott Aspenson, AIA, NCARB, has joined HGA as a Principal in the Minneapolis office, where he will focus on expanding new business opportunities within the community, workplace, and government markets. He has more than 20 years of architecture and team leadership experience working on a range of building types nationally, including corporate, community, civic, and education.
Sophie Kjeldgaard Recognized by Interior Design Magazine as HiP Sustainability Leader
Congratulations to Sophie Kjeldgaard on receiving the 2026 Interior Design HiP Award for Greater Good at NeoCon in Chicago.
This recognition reflects Sophie’s dedication to creating positive change through design and advancing a more sustainable future for the industry.
Blake Early Learning Center – IIDA Northland Tour
HGA was honored to have the Blake Early Learning Center featured in a recent tour with IIDA Northland. Attendees heard from HGA’s Michelle Hammer and Nate Madson as they shared the story behind this innovative, child-centered learning environment designed to inspire curiosity, joy, and growth.
Your Office Isn’t Dead, It Just Needs Better Design
For the past few years, the workplace conversation has revolved around one big question: should we work remotely, in person, or somewhere in between? But what if that’s the wrong question altogether?
Rather than fixating on location, forward-thinking organizations are asking a deeper question: how can we design environments that truly support people? With mental health and well-being increasingly linked to performance, the workplace is no longer just a backdrop—it’s a strategic tool. And according to recent research from McKinsey, five leadership practices consistently drive high-functioning, high-performing teams: connectivity, innovation, mentorship, collaboration, and skill development. The real opportunity? Each one can be supported and strengthened by thoughtful workplace design.
Read full article here.
Interactive Feedback turns Buildings into Classrooms for Conservation
When energy and water reduction goals are clear, building occupants can actively contribute to achieving benchmarks. At Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, eco-feedback screens help inform visitors to make environmentally conscious choices. HGA partnered with Wolf Ridge to explore the impact of real-time resource consumption data on decision-making.
The findings demonstrated that technology and thoughtful design influenced behavior choices and offered meaningful insights for owners and designers to connect design, education, and behavior.
Building Design Meets Experiential Learning
Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in northern Minnesota embraces the idea that buildings can be teaching tools to help users participate in resource conservation and sustainable outcomes. The Margaret A. Cargill (MAC) Lodge, the world’s first renovation to achieve full Living Building Challenge (LBC) certification, includes a simple yet powerful strategy. Eco-feedback screens in dorm rooms display real-time data on water, electricity, and heat usage to show visitors how their daily choices add up, informing their daily actions. Additionally, Wolf Ridge can facilitate a conservation competition that rewards the school that conserves the most during student visits, adding a competitive incentive to the screens’ data.
Read full article here.