Mayo Clinic
Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center
Rochester, Minn.
BWBR and design partner Dewberry helped Mayo Clinic officials come to their final design solution by bringing together leaders from across multiple disciplines. The facilitated dialogue brought consensus around the meaning of “wellness” and how it could be applied in programs and a facility.
The facility gives neighbors a view of the healthy activity inside and its connection to transforming lives. Windows from the natatorium provide a grand vista of Mayo’s famous Gonda Building and Rochester’s skyline. Rooms with wide-open fitness spaces reduce intimidation for new users and specific rooms cater to new and female clients. A terraced courtyard with trees, flowers and fauna provides café users a relaxing atmosphere inside and outside the building.
Size: 110,000 sq. ft.
Components: Fitness center with cardiovascular, resistance training and free weight equipment; 1/10th mile jogging track; aerobic exercise studios; “mind/body” studios; fitness staff offices; natatorium with a lap pool and a warm-water therapy pool; education suite with conference and library facilities; stress-management area with massage rooms and relaxation studios; staff wellness evaluation and research clinic; demonstration kitchen for healthy-cooking classes; retail space in the café/subway level; gathering area for a seasonally operated local farmers market; café; men’s, women’s and family locker rooms with steam rooms and whirlpools; childcare center; meeting rooms
Completion: 2007
Tom Dornack (retired)
Pete Smith (retired)
Jim Davy (retired)
Craig Peterson
Ken Frey (retired)
Jesse Turck
Vic Walker
Eric West