A state-of-the-art science facility poised to advance scientific discoveries, a community garden designed to provide fresh produce to patients and the community, and a nature center that will serve as a regional hub for environmental learning and outdoor adventure. In May, the HGA team celebrated these key milestones and more for a range of impactful projects nationwide, contributing to the growth and vitality of the communities we are a part of. Check out these updates in this month’s Happenings.
Completed Project
HGA proudly celebrated the opening of the University of Delaware’s Building X—a cutting-edge “science collider” designed to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and drive scientific discovery. The dynamic facility is arranged around thematic research areas and features a mix of damp and dry lab spaces that support both teaching and advanced research. Building X is strategically connected to the Life Sciences Research Building via a bridge, encouraging interaction among various research disciplines. It also offers new biology teaching labs, replacing facilities lost in the 2017 McKinly Hall fire. Governor Matt Meyer of Delaware aptly remarked it could be called “Building Phoenix,” ascending from the ashes of the beloved McKinly Hall. Building X embodies HGA’s commitment to designing innovative environments that break down silos, spark discovery, and support the evolving needs of the research community. Read more about the ribbon-cutting ceremony here.
Project Milestones
The community garden at Aurora Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin will provide fresh produce for homes, local food banks, and the hospital’s cafeteria. Envisioned during the initial campus design and development process, the garden is located within the Community Courtyard and integrates another layer of healthy outdoor programming opportunities. HGA partnered with Aurora Health Care in donating design and delivery services for the garden, which includes a central patio with a pergola, secure storage, work and wash stations, a compost system, and 40 garden beds, including five that are accessible to wheelchair users. An accessible path connects the garden to parking, with multiple water access points and an edible shrub hedge. HGA celebrated with the client and stakeholders in a groundbreaking ceremony for the garden, set to offer a health- focused, positive contribution to the community, opening this summer. Read more about how HGA contributes to our communities here.
HGA and Essentia Health celebrated the groundbreaking of a new orthopedic center in Baxter, Minnesota. In collaboration with Widseth and Hy-Tec, this design-build partnership aims to expand and consolidate care for Brainerd Lakes area residents. The state-of-the-art clinic will bring Essentia’s comprehensive orthopedic services under one roof, providing surgery consultations, podiatry, rheumatology, endocrinology, interventional pain care, advanced spine services, and sports medicine. Noteworthy for its innovative adaptation of a former retail space, the center will include urgent care services, indoor and outdoor rehabilitation gyms, imaging facilities, a lab, and a convenient retail pharmacy drive-thru. With a focus on enriching the patient experience, the facility features improved wayfinding and a welcoming entrance with a glass facade, designed to provide ample daylight and create a bright, inviting atmosphere. Learn more about this patient-centered environment, addressing an increasing need for healthcare services in a modern, healing setting here.
Wood Lake Nature Center, a regional hub for environmental education and outdoor exploration, is entering a new era with the launch of a major redevelopment project. Located in the heart of the Twin Cities, the 150-acre nature center welcomes 72,000 visitors annually, offering accessible, hands-on opportunities for all. Approved by residents during the 2024 election, the city of Richfield is moving forward with the construction of a new 17,000-square foot nature center, replacing the original nature center, which was built in 1971, and is no longer able to meet the needs of the community. The new, energy-efficient building will feature expanded education, exhibit and nature viewing spaces. A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Wood Lake Nature Center was held with Federal representative Tina Smith attending. The city selected HGA for architecture and engineering, with Mortenson Construction leading the construction of the $26 million project. The project is funded by federal grant funds, state bonding dollars, and a resident-approved local sales tax. Learn more, here.
HGA, Allina Health, and Mortenson Construction celebrated the “topping off” ceremony for the new Richard M. Schulze Surgical and Critical Care Center in Minneapolis. Designed to address the growing demand for private beds and complex interventional procedures at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, the center will span ten stories and over 500,000 square feet. It will feature 192 new beds, 52 interventional suites, adaptable operating rooms, and technology-enabled patient rooms for accessibility and comfort. A new, consolidated front entry will open to the Founders Mall, and a skyway will connect the various campus elements. A serene roof garden will offer natural refuge in the busy urban setting. HGA collaborated with Allina Health to develop a research-based design that integrates user and staff experience data, aimed at elevating patient experience and clinical outcomes. Read more about the new quaternary campus, expected to be complete in 2026, here.