
Heart of the City
Project Description
Heart of the City is in the core of Rochester, Minnesota: two city blocks situated between the world-renowned Mayo Clinic. This space invites residents and Mayo visitors to immerse themselves in a community sky-viewing experience, bringing together two populations in more meaningful interaction. In support of this theme, a large, data-driven art piece changes colors when miracles occur at the clinic: purple for a birth and yellow for an all-clear for cancer. This reveals just a small piece of the magic that occurs daily at the clinic, and the result is a compelling public space that is uniquely Rochester.
Latent Design worked with a team lead by Coen + Partners to design unique benches and movable platforms for the spaces that take into account physical distancing and universal design principles. Phase One was completed in 2021 and won the 2023 ASLA | Award of Excellence | Urban Design.
Photos @JasperLazor
Project Details
- Date
- 2021
- Location
- Rochester, MN
- Area
- 130,000 SF
- Client
- Rochester DMC
Partners
Awards
- 2023 ASLA | Award of Excellence | Urban Design

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“At the heart of every signature city is a vibrant downtown, where one-of-a-kind spaces, diverse programming, and enticing events encourage residents and visitors to linger a little longer.”