COMMUNICATING PURPOSE WITH CUNINGHAM ARCHITECTS

CUNINGHAM ARCHITECTS

Our engagement with Cuningham sought to communicate the firm’s purpose while cultivating individual and industry leadership.

Qualitative research allowed us to gain an in-depth understanding of team needs, objectives, and opportunities. Through competitive market research, stakeholder interviews, and a communications audit, we developed an intimate understanding of the firm from the inside out. Our research informed a communications strategy that puts people at the center of the firm’s story, projects, and vision.

Content Creation

As consulting Creative Director, we developed and implemented a robust yet attainable approach for project and initiative documentation.

Working with our network of award-winning photographers and filmmakers, we introduced photo and short film production that situates the firm’s design work within its broader intent to promote social and ecological justice; and create equitable access to housing, learning, wellness, and community gathering environments.

Rather than solely documenting the physical design of a space, we instituted a human-centered approach to tell the human story at the heart of Cuningham’s work.

Explorative Pathways for Innovative Careers

Located in Littleton, Colorado, Littleton Public Schools’ EPIC Campus is housed in the site of a former car dealership and is a beacon for hands-on learning in a state-of-the-art environment.

Murmur Ring documented the school in still and moving imagery, produced a short video about the project, and developed a narrative for cross-platform communications purposes.

“When pursuing this project, we were keen to see how we could transform a former car dealership into a modern, start-of-the-art learning experience.”

Kari-Elin Mock, LPS Project Director

“The plaza is a hands-on learning scape. It is an evolving landscape and laboratory for the students to watch and study. Hopefully the students can learn from this landscape and be inspired.”

Rachel Scarborough, Landscape Architect

The Confluence Hotel

A central piece of the City of Hastings' downtown revitalization plan, the historically registered H.D. Hudson Manufacturing building was transformed from a factory into a modern mixed-use boutique hotel and apartment building.

Named after the nearby confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers, The Confluence Hotel reestablishes this historic landmark as a center of community, culture, and commerce.

Like Littleton EPIC, Murmur Ring documented the new hotel via still and moving imagery and developed both a short video and narrative about the project for Cuningham’s communications purposes.

Bde Maka Ska Pavillion

In addition to still imagery, Murmur Ring will also produce an evocative, documentary-style short film to celebrate Cuningham’s design of Minneapolis’ new Bde Maka Ska Pavilion.

An uplifting film anchored around key community leaders whose experiences with the pavilion serve as a symbol of community healing, this film will explore tension as a catalyst for change, and design with community to enable access, equity, and sustainability.

“You can see hearts and minds shift as you talk about the Pavillion's connection to history and to land… a key piece to its success is its connection to cultural identity and its understanding of who we are.”

Carly Bad Heart Bull, Native Ways Federation

“Accessibility is at the heart of the Pavilion design. Our design team asked 'how can we create a space that makes everyone feel welcome and included?'”

Catherine Britt, Project Architect

Immersions

In addition to our ongoing consulting partnership with the firm’s leadership and communications teams, we also created and facilitated Design Catalyst: Changing the Housing Paradigm.

This community impact program was designed to bolster the firm’s research and design practices; develop new approaches to bring to the market; and support future leaders in creating the vision for Cuningham.

Learn more about this program’s immersions here.