About
Curiosity is the root of our creativity
We are a national interdisciplinary design firm rooted in architecture and engineering. We believe that the best design results from deep insight into the people and passions that animate each unique environment. Over 1,000 people in 13 offices from coast-to-coast work to make a positive, lasting impact for clients in healthcare, arts and culture, community, corporate, education, government, science and technology, and energy markets.
Services
Architecture
Our challenge to create the timeless is more significant than ever before. Functional needs vary, but the human soul always seeks beauty. Our architecture practice strives to shape built environments that serve the needs and aspirations of people today, tomorrow, and long into the future.
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Commissioning
We are at the forefront of developing energy systems that provide measurable cost-saving benefits to facility owners. We provide a full range of commissioning and retro-commissioning services to test, validate and adjust your new or existing energy systems for peak performance and cost savings.
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Digital Practice
We believe the intersection of architecture, design, and technology must center on people. The digital tool set has enabled us to transcend traditional methods, providing more intuitive and empathetic ways to explore and innovate.
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Engineering
Our interdisciplinary teams develop critical insight into the unique needs, culture, and design goals of our clients. This insight is the springboard for innovative solutions during all phases of the process. In addition to engineering excellence, we are known for collaboration, communication and professionalism.
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Environmental Design
A blend of design disciplines, environmental design helps create a sense of place. This includes visual aspects of wayfinding to help visitors and staff find their way through a building, communicate identity and brand, and shape experiences within a space.
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Interior Design
The most impactful interior design solutions reflect an organization’s brand, culture, and vision. Our interiors experts are highly qualified professionals who listen carefully and then design with a people-first perspective.
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Landscape Architecture
Landscape architecture melds art and science to inspire healing, enhance culture, foster community or minimize environmental impact. We believe that great design can not only complete a built environment, but also transform it.
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Lighting Design
Lighting has the power to enliven architecture, enhance the perception of space, and create dimension inside and out. Our lighting design team works alongside other design disciplines to create integrated lighting solutions that bring interiors, exteriors and landscapes to life.
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Planning
A well-designed master plan brings together a set of principles and goals into a unified solution that is strong and flexible, meeting current needs while envisioning the future.
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Research & Innovation
Research is the link between our curiosity and the impact we make. Although the scope of our research is broad, our goal is focused: to apply what we learn and positively impact the human experience through design.
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Sustainable Design
As a design firm, we have the unique opportunity to leave a positive impact on the world; not only with beautiful, functional buildings, but also with responsible, sustainable development. Truly sustainable design must first and foremost be centered on the human experience.
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Technology
Technology is moving at an ever-increasing pace. Keeping up with changes and options is a daunting challenge that can cause anxiety and frustration for building owners and managers. Our expert interdisciplinary teams help design buildings with the flexibility to meet needs now and into the future.
Learn MoreForward thinking, even way back
Founding principals Richard Hammel, Curt Green, and Bruce Abrahamson were committed to superb modern design and a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach. From their first office in Curt Green’s basement in 1953 to a national presence today, the firm has helped shape culture, business, and society by consistently creating forward-thinking design solutions.
In 1953 Hammel and Green was founded; the principals added a third partner in 1954 to become Hammel, Green and Abrahamson. Highland Park Junior High School in Saint Paul was the studio’s first major education project and is still in use today. Other education projects followed, and in 1959 the founders brought in mechanical and electrical engineers, creating a full-service firm with 20 employees.
Public school experience led to commissions in higher education, arts, religion and healthcare, including the Benedicta Art Center at the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota; St. Bede’s Priory in Wisconsin, HGA’s first national AIA Award winner; and the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology, winner of AIA Minnesota’s 25-Year Award. A branch office was opened for a brief time in New York City.
The growing firm boasted 75 employees, including civil engineers and a healthcare practice group, and moved to a new office in St. Paul. Notable designs were Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis; O’Shaughnessy Auditorium at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul; St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul; and New Melleray Abbey in Iowa, our second national AIA Design Award winner.
This decade saw tremendous growth with a company move to Minneapolis, establishment of the structural engineering and interiors departments and opening of the Milwaukee office. Key projects were the Colonial Church of Edina, a national AIA Design Award winner; the Minnesota History Center; the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center; and the Piper Jaffray Tower.
The nation’s economic boom spurred architectural expansion across industries. Our firm doubled in size to 460 employees, expanding into Rochester and Sacramento as we designed corporate campuses for Ceridian and Medtronic; innovative healthcare solutions for University of California Davis Medical Center; sustainable architecture at Northland College in Wisconsin; and arts projects at the University of Minnesota.
The firm was on the move, adding offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles and moving to new buildings in Minneapolis and Milwaukee. Significant projects included a General Mills corporate campus expansion; Minnesota Public Radio headquarters; national arts projects at Illinois State University, Pier Wisconsin Discovery World and University of Alaska Museum of the North; and medical projects such as Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
The addition of our Washington, D.C., and San Jose offices helps us close this decade with more than 850 employees in 11 locations. Projects ranged from high-profile to top-secret as our specialized practice groups collaborated with clients including LinkedIn, Visa, FBI, U. S. Government, Macalester College, Stanford Children’s Health, Walker Art Center, and National AIA Award winner Lakewood Cemetery Garden Mausoleum in Minneapolis.
Our firm expanded into San Diego and Oakland, growing its California presence, now having 13 national offices with over 1000 employees. We marked 70 years of design and completed remarkable projects like Capital One Hall, Water Works Park Pavilion, and more. Awards included COTE Top 10 Award for Westwood Hills Nature Center and national AIA Architecture Award for Marlboro Music Reich Hall. We reinforced our commitment to holistic design, sharing an impact report on sustainability, equity, and community initiatives.