The Higher Ground homeless shelter brings both structure and beauty to the Minneapolis skyline, providing the groundwork for a community that everyone can be proud of. The first of its kind in Minnesota, Higher Ground gives residents an opportunity to move out of homelessness by combining permanent housing and emergency shelter in one building. Focusing on upholding people’s dignity and working with them to become as self-sufficient as possible, Higher Ground also provides them access to resources, including job skills training, mental health support services, and on-site direct health support.

Wells engaged to deliver a fully integrated prefabricated building system, allowing the structure to serve multiple roles — providing structural support, enclosure and architectural expression within a single solution. Load-bearing exterior walls also feature a durable, acid-etched colored finish, with contrasting white accents framing vertical window elements to add visual definition and rhythm to the facade