Minneapolis FLEXION: Bioclimatic Studio 2023

Our urban wellness center is located in Minneapolis. The city is situated on the banks of the Mississippi River, and is known for its many lakes, parks, and green spaces. The ecology of Minneapolis is shaped by the city’s loca­tion in the Midwest region of the United States, which is characterized by cold winters, hot summers, and a continental climate.

The city’s climate is classified as humid continental, with four distinct seasons. Summers in Minneapolis are warm and humid, with average temperatures ranging from 70°F to 80°F. Winters are cold and snowy, with average temperatures ranging from 10°F to 30°F (-12°C to -1°C). Spring and fall are transitional seasons, with mild temperatures and frequent rainfall.

The wellness center targets obesity as the main wellbeing issue in Minneapolis. According to data from the Minnesota Department of Health, as of 2021, the obesity rate in Minneapolis was approximately 24%, which is higher than the national average of 20.7%. Several factors have contributed to the high rates of obesity in Minneapolis, such as the lack of access to healthy food options and the sedentary lifestyles in this region. Therefore, our design aims to provide more opportunities for physical activities and food choices via the ramping system and vertical farming system.

Our site is located on a small island called Nicollet Island in Minneapolis and is on a very open site. The site is conveniently located near a bridge that connects both sides of the shore. It also has a beautiful view of the river on three sides.

The ramping system runs through the whole building, it starts from the ground level and coils around the building, people can use it as a fitness trail, which is convenient for people to pass through as well as for people to exercise more. It will run through the retreat center, recreation center to the semi-open spa area on the fifth floor. This level of the spa is surrounded by movable walls, which can be closed in winter and opened in summer, and the spa can be used as a swimming pool. As the fitness trail continues to circle upward, you will reach the wellness center and guest rooms, and all the way to the green roof.

By employing hydroponic technology, the vertical farming system cultivates crops and creates green walls along sections of the south-facing wall. This creates a calming visual effect, while the crops we cultivate can sustainably provide food and offer a healthier alternative for those in the wellness center. In addition, our design uses concrete thermal mass to ensure the basic insulation of the building in the cold environment of Minneapolis. In addition, we also used sawtooth roof, zig-zag east and west facade, and slanted south façade, all of which are designed to receive the most light according to our site location and analysis of the building orientation, so as to maximize the absorption of solar energy and reduce the building’s own energy consumption.