Corwell Health CTI Campus Grand Rapids, Michigan

Services Provided

Urban Planning & Design
Landscape Architecture
Construction Documentation

People Involved

Andy Knight
Cullen Meves
Ryan Blume
Haley Wolfe

Integrating one of Michigan’s premier health systems new corporate innovation campus, into Downtown Grand Rapids.

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) is one of Michigan’s premier integrated health systems. A critical milestone in their continued growth was the addition of a new Center for Health Transformation and Innovation (CTI). This new eight-story, 160,000 square foot office complex helps to consolidate nearly 26 different leases across the region and co-locate functions and departments and establish a learning and innovation destination for Spectrum employees.

Beginning with a district approach, MKSK worked closely with the architects to explore how this new facility would integrate into the existing urban fabric of downtown Grand Rapids. This new development, informed by the existing urban framework, land uses, and infrastructure, strived to activate existing unused spaces and buildings, and promoted the adaptive reuse of selective existing buildings adjacent to the new CTI building.

It also enhanced connectivity within the surrounding district, neighborhoods, and the adjacent Grand River riverfront. This district approach provides recommendations that addressed resilient design including floodplain management, urban head island impacts, solar orientation, and alternative means of transportation.

In addition to providing a better understanding of the project context through studying the district, MKSK also led the overall site planning and Landscape Architecture scope of work including the planning and design of vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian circulation, outdoor spaces for employees and visitors to enjoy, and improved interblock connectivity through the repurposing and redesign of alleys.

By providing a variety of spaces at different scales, character and programming capacities, the new Corwell CTI urban campus not only provides places for employee use, but also enhances the overall district through a more cohesive network of green space spaces, improved views of the riverfront, and offers an urban landscape that is proactively and sustainably beautiful throughout the seasons of the western Michigan climate.