Synergy Architecture Studio’s Work on the First Ambulatory Outpatient Cardiovascular Surgery Center in Minnesota
As healthcare systems across the country continue to advance toward outpatient care models, cardiovascular medicine is undergoing a profound transformation. Procedures that once required hospital admission are now being safely and efficiently performed in ambulatory settings—driven by new technology, evolving clinical protocols, and a patient‑centered focus on experience and recovery.
At the forefront of this transformation is Synergy Architecture Studio, which recently completed the design of the first Ambulatory Outpatient Cardiovascular Surgery Center in Minnesota in collaboration with SCA Health, Allina Health, and Minneapolis Heart Institute. The project represents a significant milestone: the creation of a purpose‑designed outpatient environment capable of supporting complex cardiovascular procedures traditionally housed within acute‑care hospitals.
Allina Health MHI Surgery Center is on the fourth‑floor of Centennial Lakes Medical, a multi‑tenant medical outpatient building in Edina, MN that integrates two state‑of‑the‑art cardiovascular (CV) procedure suites with highly specialized clinical, imaging, and recovery spaces. Through its carefully orchestrated blend of efficiency, safety, and human‑centered design, this facility demonstrates the evolution of cardiovascular care delivery, setting the standard for what CV care will come to look like in Minnesota and beyond.
A Vision Guided by Clinical Leadership
From the earliest stages of planning, Synergy worked side‑by‑side with operational and clinical leadership, including Stacy Acketz, CEO of the Surgery Center, whose hands‑on involvement helped shape the facility’s vision from concept through execution.
“Designing a cardiovascular surgery center is not just about rooms and equipment—it’s about anticipating workflows, risk mitigation, and patient confidence from the moment someone enters the space,” Acketz noted during the planning phase. Her insights into patient experience, staff efficiency, and long‑term operational scalability were critical in guiding design decisions throughout the project.
This collaborative approach—bringing together Synergy’s healthcare design expertise, SCA Health’s national ambulatory platform, Allina Health’s clinical leadership, and MHI’s cardiovascular experience—ensured the facility aligned with best‑in‑class standards while remaining adaptable for future advancements in care.
Designing Within an Existing Building Envelope
One of the project’s defining challenges was its location within a fourth‑floor, multi‑tenant medical building. Unlike ground‑up hospitals or single‑tenant surgery centers, this environment required meticulous coordination across structural, mechanical and life‑safety systems, while maintaining uninterrupted operations for neighboring tenants.
Synergy approached the project with a deep understanding of adaptive reuse and vertical healthcare design. Structural capacity was evaluated early to support heavy imaging equipment, lead shielding, and specialized surgical infrastructure. Mechanical systems were carefully zoned to meet cardiovascular air change requirements, pressure relationships, and redundancy expectations—all within the constraints of an existing building core.
Strategic planning also addressed patient and staff movement. Separate circulation paths for clean supplies, soiled materials, patients, and staff were implemented to support infection control, privacy, and efficiency—an especially critical consideration in cardiovascular surgery settings.
Two CV Procedure Suites, Purpose‑Built
At the heart of this first‑of‑its‑kind Minnesota facility are two cardiovascular procedure suites, designed to accommodate a wide range of outpatient CV interventions. Unlike traditional operating rooms, CV suites require a unique integration of imaging, surgical readiness, and sterile technique—blurring the lines between cath lab, hybrid OR, and ambulatory surgery space.
Synergy worked closely with clinical teams to define ideal room dimensions, ceiling heights, equipment clearances, and future‑proofing strategies. The suites were designed to support advanced imaging systems, booms, and anesthesia workflows while maintaining flexibility for evolving technologies.
Support spaces—including pre‑op, post‑anesthesia care, equipment storage, and staff work areas—were positioned to minimize travel distances and improve response times, allowing clinicians to focus on what matters most: patient care.
The Unique Challenges of CV Surgical Center Design
Designing a cardiovascular surgical environment presents a distinct set of challenges compared to other ambulatory facilities.
Higher Acuity in an Outpatient Setting
CV patients often present higher medical risk, requiring fast access to emergency protocols, enhanced monitoring, and robust recovery environments—all within a non‑hospital footprint.
Advanced Imaging and Infrastructure
Large imaging equipment demands structural reinforcement, vibration control, electrical redundancy, and precise coordination across disciplines.
Strict Regulatory and Life‑Safety Requirements
Cardiovascular spaces must adhere to elevated standards for airflow, sterile environments, shielding, and life‑safety systems, particularly when located within shared buildings.
Patient Confidence and Experience
Patients undergoing heart‑related procedures often arrive with heightened anxiety. Thoughtful architectural design plays a vital role in creating calm, intuitive, and reassuring environments—from daylight access and acoustics to wayfinding and privacy.
Synergy addressed these challenges by combining technical precision with intentional design strategies that support both clinical excellence and emotional well‑being.
Designing for Patients, Staff, and the Future
Beyond technical requirements, the design emphasizes a welcoming, hospitality‑inspired atmosphere that reflects the surgery center’s commitment to excellence. Natural materials, warm lighting, and clear visual cues help ease patient stress and promote a sense of trust.
Equally important is staff experience. Efficient layouts, clear sightlines, and strategically placed support spaces reduce fatigue, improve communication, and enhance safety—key factors in high‑performance cardiovascular environments.
Flexibility was embedded throughout the design. Spaces were planned with adaptability in mind, allowing the center to evolve as procedures, equipment, and care models continue to advance.
Setting a New Benchmark in Minnesota Outpatient Cardiovascular Care
As the first Ambulatory Outpatient Cardiovascular Surgery Center in Minnesota, this project sets a new benchmark for how complex heart care can be delivered safely, efficiently, and compassionately outside of traditional hospital settings.
For Synergy Architecture Studio, the project reflects the firm’s continued expertise in healthcare design and its ability to navigate complex renovations, high‑acuity clinical programs, and collaborative partnerships.
As outpatient cardiovascular care continues to expand nationwide, this center stands as a model—demonstrating that with the right vision, leadership, and design approach, even the most advanced surgical environments can thrive in an ambulatory setting.