Mayo Clinic Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center Expansion

Rochester, MN
Construction Cost: Witheld
Area / Square Feet: 106,377
Occupancy Date: May 2014

Mayo Clinic’s vertical expansion of the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center contains five levels of new program space above the existing four-level, highly utilized employee wellness center. 

In keeping with the high value that Mayo Clinic places on user experience and quality of life, the journey to personal wellness begins in the main lobby on Level 8, where a skylight allows daylight to pour over natural materials of dark-tone wood panels, marble, stone and glass. An open stair surrounded by plantings connects to a lounge area above that features a living wall and a rooftop terrace. This organic palette is further reinforced with subtle curves of the interior walls that soften the circulation patterns and connect a variety of program spaces such as physical assessment rooms, laboratories and examination rooms, exercise areas and studios, a demonstration kitchen, meditation rooms and conference space. 

From the exterior, the expansion appears seamless, as the terra cotta and glass facade span both phases and further establish the facility as a vibrant landmark on the Mayo Clinic campus. The curving south facade of the first and second phases visually relate to the curves of the adjacent Gonda Building. The three remaining facades take on a more rigid expression defined by the tight urban site.

Judge's Comments

"This project was a departure from other submittals in that it was a complex vertical expansion. Each space was thoughtfully crafted, including a stunning rooftop terrace." — Tracy Carusi

"An elegant tower constructed over an existing wellness center. A rare example of a successful second phase constructed over an existing building." — David Body

"Creative and sophisticated solutions to a complicated problem. Great materials selections and seamless connection to the existing structure." — Dave Larson