Cuningham

Cuningham is thrilled to partner with Kalahari Resorts & Conventions on its latest expansion in Wisconsin Dells—a 75,000-square-foot addition that will further elevate Kalahari’s indoor waterpark experience. Leveraging the firm’s expertise in hospitality, entertainment, and themed environments, Cuningham is leading the architectural design of key guest spaces—reconfiguring layouts and crafting immersive interiors to elevate both function and guest experience.   We’re proud to join Kalahari Resorts & Conventions and Martin Aquatic in raising the bar for immersive waterpark design. WhiteWater, OpenAire Inc.

We are proud to announce that Cuningham team members Monica Coleman, Katie Sander Smith, NCIDQ, CID, and Emily Bisaga Dunne are officially members of mindful MATERIALS, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting building materials that prioritize health, sustainability, and resilience. As members, they join a of network of industry leaders working to create a common language and processes around sustainable products and labels. Through their participation in mindful MATERIAL’s working groups and forums, they will collaborate with owners, firms, and manufacturers to drive meaningful change in helping clients make informed, responsible material choices. We’re look forward to seeing their impact as they help shape a healthier future for our industry and communities. Learn more about mindful MATERIALS and Cuningham's involvement: bit.ly/4laCs9k

Cuningham is excited to announce a new partnership with Space Center Houston, the world’s premier science and space exploration learning center, dedicated to advancing STEM education and igniting curiosity.   Leveraging the firm's expertise in entertainment, education, and workplace design, Cuningham is collaborating with Space Center Houston on future developments and enhancements that will elevate the visitor experience and further strengthen the center’s role as a hub for space education. Through this partnership, we look forward to engaging minds, igniting discovery, and advancing Space Center Houston’s purpose of bringing “people and space closer together.”   Learn more about Space Center Houston: bit.ly/3DFHo5g

Valleywise Health Medical Center has received AZ Big Media's 2025 Real Estate Development (RED) Award for “Healthcare Project of the Year.”   The RED Awards celebrate significant contributions to Arizona’s commercial real estate sector by honoring its top architects, contractors, developers, and projects. Valleywise’s recognition is a reflection of the hospital’s commitment to innovative design, elevated patient care, and its role in serving Maricopa County’s growing population.   Designed to deliver exceptional care rooted in safety and compassion, Valleywise Health Medical Center is a new, 233-bed, 10-story, 687,000-square-foot facility providing exceptional, tailored care for the diverse needs of Maricopa County’s 4.5 million residents. As Arizona’s only public teaching hospital, Valleywise Health Medical Center also enhances the health and well-being of an entire region as it trains the next generation of healthcare providers.   Not only does the new facility help Valleywise Health advance its vision of being a nationally recognized leader in community-based care, it also enhances the Diane and Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center, one of the nation’s preeminent burn programs. Other program areas include a Level 1 trauma emergency department, 14 operating rooms, and Women’s and Pediatric programs. Congratulations to the entire project team on this recognition. Learn more about how the new facility helps Valleywise Health advance its vision of being a nationally-recognized leader in community-based care: bit.ly/3QUO7c5 📷: Samuel Forrest

Saint Paul Public Schools' American Indian Magnet School is a PreK-8 with a teaching approach rooted in American Indian culture, traditions, values, history, and art. Cuningham, alongside Full Circle Indigenous Planning + Design, LLC, recently completed a remodel and expansion of the school that advances its pedagogical mission and aligns with a district-wide commitment to culturally-aware, flexible learning environments.   Designed to reflect First Nations' connection to nature, each floor in the new school represents an ecosystem—from earth and water on the main level, through prairie and forest, to the sky at the top. As students advance grades, they progress through these evolving ecosystems, mirroring their educational journey. On each level, natural materials, abundant daylight, and outdoor connections foster creativity, well-being, and a deeper relationship with the environment.   At the heart of the school, the redesigned Circle Space serves as both a ceremonial lodge and a gathering area for meals, events, and celebrations. Additionally, the remodeled Long House, a cultural hub for song, dance, and ceremonies, now connects seamlessly to the school’s main media center and a new community partner suite that provides essential services, reinforcing the school’s role as a cornerstone of support for students and families.   Learn more about how American Indian Magnet School’s transformation celebrates culture, incorporates nature, and builds community: bit.ly/3CbG0jS   📸: Morgan Sheff

As the U.S. faces a growing mental health crisis—exacerbated by financial stress and a severe housing shortage—Cuningham is rethinking how homes can better support the people who live in them. This is the basis of our Healthy Living design approach, which puts resident well-being first and integrates principles of trauma-informed design to create spaces that foster safety, privacy, and a sense of belonging. By prioritizing empowerment, beauty, dignity, community connection, and stress reduction, we craft environments that actively help residents thrive. Learn more about how Cuningham is empowering residents and creating healthy, thriving communities: hubs.ly/Q03bQkrK0 📸: Corey Gaffer

History and hospitality converge at Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino's new hotel. A transformative part of the Spokane Tribe of Indians’ strategic master plan, this 175-key hotel and performance venue elevates a small tribal casino into an expansive resort destination, attracting a broader clientele and positioning it alongside larger competitors. Extensive research and exploratory sessions with tribe members informed Cuningham’s design approach, which is deeply rooted in cultural knowledge, traditions, and connections to the surrounding landscape. Cleverly integrated into the existing gaming floor and restaurant areas, the hotel fosters a warm and inviting environment filled with meaningful references to tribal heritage. Thoughtfully selected materials celebrate the tribe’s legacy, creating a space that honors both tradition and innovation. From a lobby that showcases artwork from tribe members to a façade inspired by traditional teepee frameworks and the surrounding natural landscape, the new space seamlessly blends cultural storytelling with modern hospitality, reinforcing Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino as a symbol of cultural preservation and economic growth. Learn more about how Cuningham’s design ensures the new hotel and performance venue is both a reflection of the tribe’s rich history and a foundation for its future: bit.ly/4hdCrhU 📸: Lara Swimmer

Cuningham is proud to announce that Tracy Lee Lauer AIA, PMP has been appointed Healthcare Market Sector Leader for the firm's Phoenix office.    With over 27 years of experience designing and planning complex healthcare environments, Tracy’s comprehensive understanding of the Phoenix and broader Arizona healthcare markets strengthens Cuningham’s ability to create spaces that prioritize wellness and enhance both patient and caregiver support.   Tracy’s appointment to Healthcare Market Sector Leader marks an exciting chapter for Cuningham’s team in Phoenix; we look forward to the impact her leadership will bring to our projects and partnerships in this dynamic region.    Learn more about Tracy: bit.ly/3XjWcNA

We’re excited to announce that East 7th Grandfamilies Apartments has broken ground and is now officially underway.   Located at a critical intersection in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where 7th Street transitions from commercial zoning to residential neighborhoods, this affordable mixed-use development transforms a former 3M industrial site into a vibrant, connected community—advancing Project for Pride in Living (PPL)'s mission to “build hope, assets, and self-reliance for individuals and families through affordable housing and career readiness services.”   Rooted in Cuningham’s healthy living design approach and research on trauma-informed design principles, East 7th Grandfamilies Apartments’ 60 affordable housing units will be paired with community-oriented amenities, such as a fitness room, playground, and outdoor patio space—creating a nuanced approach to urban density that ensures residents have access to welcoming spaces.   The project is also built around sustainability and is in the process of achieving LEED Silver Certification through innovative energy and water conservation strategies, including a 35% reduction in water usage and a 20% reduction in energy consumption, compared to projects of similar scope.   As construction begins, we’re proud to celebrate this milestone with PPL and all partners who are helping bring this transformative project to life.

Cuningham has a new office location! We are excited to announce the opening of our Orlando office, the firm's seventh U.S. location and first permanent presence in Florida. This expansion underscores our commitment to the region’s dynamic themed entertainment and hospitality industries.   The new office will also enhance Cuningham’s geographic reach by serving as a strategic location to expand our other well-established market sectors, including healthcare, education, workplace, mixed-use, and residential. Across markets and geographical regions, we remain dedicated to providing our clients with creative, innovative design solutions that positively impact the communities where we live, learn, work, and play. We can't wait to keep building on decades of bringing visionary concepts to life. Learn more about Cuningham's newest location, our themed entertainment expertise, and connect with our team: bit.ly/42MXHaF