Celebration of Design: Blake Early Learning Center

Come tour the ID Awards Grand Winner, Blake Early Learning Center. The Blake ELC is the first of its kind in the Twin Cities. Designed for learners in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade, the ELC offers a child-centered program in a green facility designed to spark curiosity, joy, and growth. HGA was the Architect and Design firm on the Project, and Michelle Hammer and Nate Madson will lead a lively discussion about this project, which will be moderated by Max Smith From Innovative. We hope you will join us.

Date: June 17, 2026

Time: 4:30-6:00pm

Location: Blake Early Learning Center
110 Blake Road South
Hopkins, MN 55343

Cost:* Free for Members
$10 for Non-Member Students
$25 for Non-Members

Michelle Hammer:
As a design principal at HGA, Michelle’s approach to interior design is focused on creating human-centered experiences that provoke a sense of welcome, joy, and functionality. Her passion revolves around truly understanding the client, the end-user and the project vision. From this design approach, she collaborates with clients and teams to develop meaningful and impactful design solutions that exemplify thoughtful placemaking.

Nat Madson:
Nat is a design principal at HGA with over 18 years of experience working on a range of award winning educational, civic and arts projects.  Passionate about architecture’s transformative impact on daily life, Nat believes great projects demand both clarity and complexity.  The recipient of several design awards, including the Rapson Traveling Fellowship, Nat frequently teaches architectural design studios at the University of Minnesota.

If you cannot attend, please cancel at least 24 hours in advance. If you no-show for the event, you may be charged non-member pricing. 

AV: audience photographs & video may be taken at this event. By nature of your attendance, you are granting permission for your image and likeness to be used for marketing purposes.

*Prices does not include Eventbrite fees.