Mohagen Hansen Architecture | Interiors celebrates as Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center AIM Academy of Science & Technology is named winner at the Minnesota Real Estate Journal (MREJ) Awards in two categories: Redevelopment – Education & Training and Education & Daycare.
Annually, the MREJ Award recipients are selected by a panel of judges who evaluate the overall project innovation and boldness, environmental impact, design challenges and impact on the community.
Mohagen Hansen worked with the client, Abubakar As-Sadique Islamic Center (AAIC) Board of Trustees and Executive Team, to redevelop a vacant, toxic metal stamping and ammunition factory built in the early 1900’s, into a school with a new gymnasium addition. Our client understood the importance of breathing new life into the Phillips neighborhood in Minneapolis, and with the support of an international Islamic funding source and 2 million dollars in donations from the community, this vision became a reality through the development of AIM Academy. This institution provides 6th-9th graders with high-quality education specializing in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
This new environment made a significant impact on the community and sets a new tone, attitude, and action toward this area. At the beginning of the project, the building was splattered with graffiti and surrounded by garbage and the site provided an environment where crime multiplied and repelled the neighboring residents. The Mohagen Hansen design team collaborated with AAIC to realize their vision for this building and their community, by creating a place where future generations have access to a clean, relevant, and safe learning environment and a place that promotes pride within the surrounding neighborhood.
Congratulations to the entire team!
Owner: Abubakar As-Sadique Islamic Center, Architecture & Interior Design: Mohagen Hansen, General Contractor: C70 Builders, Civil Engineer: Civil Site Group, Structural Engineer: Innovative Structural Solutions, Geotechnical Services: American Engineering Testing, Inc.
