Posts by Catherine McAndrews
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Named Top Mega Airport in North America Once Again!
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has been named the Top Mega Airport in North America in the prestigious Airport Satisfaction Study by consumer barometer J.D. Power. Known for its seamless blend of smart design and customer-focused amenities, the airport continues to set the standard for world-class travel experiences. Working on Terminal 1 since 1978, Alliiance…
Read MoreA Tribute to John Lackens
We are deeply saddened by the passing of John Lackens, FAIA. John co-founded our firm, The Architectural Alliance in 1970, alongside Herb Ketcham, FAIA and Bob Bell, AIA, building a legacy that has shaped our firm’s culture, values, and approach to architecture for over five decades. From the very beginning, John embraced a team-oriented approach…
Read MoreA Tribute to Thomas J. DeAngelo
With heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of former Alliiance Principal, Tom DeAngelo, FAIA. Tom served as our firm’s president from 1993 to 2009 and retired in 2023. Tom’s passion for design excellence left a lasting impact on our firm and the world of architecture. His design contributions represent a holistic commitment to the art,…
Read MoreCreating Inclusive Spaces at MSP: Universal Changing Stations and Sensory Room
Alliiance is committed to designing spaces that ensure accessibility, dignity, and comfort for all. Our latest projects at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) exemplify this commitment. Universal Changing Stations To date, three Alliiance-designed Universal Changing Stations are open at MSP Terminal 1, with one at Concourse G finishing design, and two more scheduled for…
Read MoreHennepin County Public Works Facility Wins AIA Minnesota 25 Year Award
The Alliiance designed Hennepin County Public Works Facility received the 25 Year Award by AIA Minnesota. This prestigious award celebrates projects that have withstood the test of time through exceptional architecture. Completed in 1998, the Hennepin County Public Works Facility was a groundbreaking project—redefining maintenance facilities as high-performing and environmentally friendly. Nestled atop a natural…
Read MoreNew Barkley Regional Airport Terminal Wins Merit Award
The Barkley Regional Airport new terminal was awarded a 2024 AIA Minneapolis Merit Award! This honor recognizes projects that embody excellence beyond design, emphasizing public interest and the varied forces that shape a building. Here’s how the terminal excelled across the award’s key criteria: Client The terminal design prioritizes passenger and staff well-being with technologies…
Read MoreLincoln Airport’s Newly Expanded and Renovated Terminal Opens
We are thrilled to announce the completion of the newly expanded and renovated terminal at Lincoln Airport this May. In response to the anticipated increase in passengers and airlines services, Alliiance planned and designed the $40 million project. The project enhances the passenger experience from curbside arrival to gate departure with features including: Upgraded curbside…
Read MoreUnveiling of the Spokane International Airport TREX Program
Alliiance, along with local architectural partner, Wolfe Architectural Group (WAG), joined airport representatives and community leaders to celebrate the completion of the first phase of Spokane International Airport’s Concourse C six-gate expansion. This important milestone marks the halfway point of the Concourse C Terminal Renovation and Expansion (TREX) program. Highlights include: Inclusive and accessible features catering…
Read MoreGroundbreaking for New Washington County Central Service and License Center
Construction is officially underway for the Washington County Central Service and License Center. Project team members Amber Egofske, Ernesto Ruiz-Garcia, and Julie MacLeod attended the groundbreaking ceremony. This mass timber structure consolidates community services, including the License and Passport Center; Property Records and Taxpayer Services; Career Force Center with Career Lab; Public Health Clinic; Community…
Read MoreCelebrating Our Science and Technology Leaders
Alliiance has over 50 years of experience planning and designing more than 2.5 million square feet of Science + Technology (S+T) space. Our comprehensive expertise spans research and development in both academic and business environments, enhancing our ability to promote a crossover of innovation and new ideas across this spectrum. The breadth of our work…
Read MoreENTER / Must-Stop Architecture: Four Minnesota Rest Areas
This week, AIA Minnesota’s ENTER features the MnDOT Clear Lake and Des Moines River Safety Rest Areas near Jackson, MN, designed by Alliiance. In a few short vignettes, readers can get a glimpse into the unique design elements of each location and further understand how these spaces fit into their surroundings. Read all about it…
Read MoreOleg Kozlovskii placed Top 50 in the Skyrise 2022 International Architecture Competition!
The competition challenged participants to create an innovative and iconic landmark skyscraper. Oleg sought to combat issues of urban density, gentrification, and depersonalization in his design by “empowering a vibrant, interconnected, and inclusive community” within the typical rigid and unlively fabric of a skyscraper. His modular concept maximizes flexibility and returns agency to residents to…
Read More2023 New Senior Associates
Destin Nygard Destin joined the firm in 2007 and has 22 years of experience. He has supported and led a wide variety of project types including Abbott Corporate Campus Expansion and Rosedale Mall Modernization. More recently, Destin has developed a specialty for regional airport facilities. His experience includes numerous projects at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International…
Read More2023 New Associates
Michael Cheng Michael joined Alliiance in 2017 and has over 20 years of experience. He plays an important part in our service to the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), providing both project management and architectural design. Michael fills a unique and essential role on a variety of MAC projects, many technical in nature, requiring intensive collaboration…
Read MorePeople’s Choice Award for Memphis International Airport Concourse B Modernization
The Memphis International Airport Concourse B Modernization received a People’s Choice Award for the Renovation and Restoration category at this year’s AIA Memphis Awards Gala! Since 2013, we have worked in close partnership with UrbanARCH to design a world-class passenger experience through state-of-the-art amenities, regional character, and enhanced convenience. Congrats to the team for this…
Read MoreBringing people together through the new performing arts expansion
At Alliiance, collaboration isn’t just a buzzword—it’s an active practice and key component of our project process and success. In the Center for Performing Arts expansion, we worked closely with the organization to develop the best solutions for the building tenants, artists, staff, and visitors, as well as the broader performing arts community and Kingfield…
Read MoreFinding: Site-Sourced Design
by Nina Ebbighausen, AIA, LEED AP “[Our job is] not to reproduce the visible, but to make visible.” –Paul Klee “The sun never knew how great it was until it hit the side of a building.” –Louis Kahn Introduction In our fast-paced and nebulous digital world, architecture that has an integral relationship to…
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