Mayo Clinic Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Building

At Mayo Clinic, research is the engine that drives advances in medical care. It is intrinsically aspirational and grounded in hope. The 11-story Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Building is an integrated translational research facility that was designed to be as aspirational as the research happening within—and a catalyst for the interdisciplinary innovation that expedites the development of next-generation disease treatments. The 176,000 SF cutting-edge facility connects research, clinical practice and education in both the physical and experiential dimensions. Unconventional risk-based zoning in this “Lab of the Future” reimagines how science is conducted by moving away from traditional one-size-fits-all “wet” and “dry” lab classifications. The floorplate encourages easy movement from wet experimental work to dry analytical work while flexible lab spaces adapt to evolving research needs with interdisciplinary touchdown and collaborative spaces at the four corners. This approach not only enhances research quality, but also serves as a model for innovation in the healthcare sector. The building’s high-profile façade, with its undulating scrim and weather barrier, creates visual connectivity from the inside-out and outside-in. Natural light floods the interior, providing plentiful views and creating an uplifting environment for researchers and visitors alike. The pattern cut into the perforated aluminum scrim is inspired by Mayo Clinic’s “3-Shield” logo and was developed using a parametric computer script that varies the visual openness depending on location over the façade. Perforations are larger in places where necessary for views and to allow for ample daylight. It becomes more opaque at floor lines and areas that require more shading from the harshest sun angles, thereby reducing mechanical loads. Inside, the design intentionally consolidates various departments and social spaces to encourage interaction and intellectual discourse, including the welcoming social spaces on the lower levels. Materials and design features are tied to the project concept, context and function. The use of wood is strategic and is first experienced upon entry as the exterior canopy and interior lobby ceiling blend seamlessly to connect the interior and exterior. Use of marble and terrazzo at key public locations acknowledges Mayo Clinic’s historical use of natural stone throughout its campus. In the spirit of putting research on display, the inner workings of the building are celebrated with exposed ceilings and columns that reveal its infrastructure. Curved surfaces are the physical expression of creating a building that is not a box and is not bound by four corners. Operable walls, writing surfaces and AV connectivity encourage intellectual discourse. The integration of art and performance elements further heightens the sensory experience, making the building a vibrant and dynamic place to work and visit. A hub for esteemed researchers and their teams, the building has allowed Mayo Clinic to expand its roster of scientists, attracting fresh talent and diverse expertise and accelerating the pace of medical discovery. As it scales, the building will enhance research quality and serve as a model for future medical research facilities, transforming patient care and advancing medical knowledge.