Bloomington, Minnesota, USA
DLR Group’s design for the EXPO 2027 development, rooted in Minneapolis’ reputation as the land of the lakes, utilizes water as a unifying element and a basis for health and vitality.
EXPO 2027 has recently been awarded a 2023 American Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture, Design, and Urban Studies.
The project includes the development of new structures and off-site venues for specialized programming and other amenities to complement the event, all of which are easily accessible by public or private transportation.
Physical health, well-being, and cognitive function are all improved through connection to nature; the site plan for EXPO 2027 will foster this connection between the existing nature found along the Minnesota River and the Mall of America.
The surrounding prairie landscape provides visitors with respite not only along the existing trails but as they journey through the development.
These paths are activated with different experiences, intertwining with entertainment and conference spaces, and then integrating with the Mall of America and its facilities such as a waterpark, hotels, and an arena and exhibition center.
The Expo 2027 site is designed to reverse the current trend of today’s resource-draining communities by capturing, storing, and recycling resources that naturally interact with — and are generated by — the site.
Post-construction, this has the potential to go beyond reducing the adverse environmental impacts.
While reducing the impact of cities to net zero, Expo 2027’s design reflects how natural patterns and forms within the built environment can benefit the natural environment.
After the event, the architects are proposing a legacy plan: the facilities will become an innovation center, housing, and airport connectivity that will foster better living in Minneapolis.
Project: The Expo 2027
Architects: DLR Group
Lead Architect: David Loehr Jose Sanchez, Chris Bell, Hellen Ho, Chay Jomvinya, Chuy Le, Julian Boyd, Lala Mirzayan, Peter Hess, and Sophie Phillips
Client: Minnesota USA Expo, Inc.
Photographers: DLR Group
