Hennepin County Youth Crisis Center
Minneapolis, MN
Mohagen Hansen Architecture | Interiors in partnership with human eXperience led the adaptive reuse and interior transformation of the Hennepin County Youth Crisis Stabilization Center, working in close partnership with Hennepin County, Nexus Family Healing, and planning consultant, human eXperience. Located on the top three floors of the County-owned building at 1800 Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, the project reimagines an existing structure into a safe, secure, and therapeutic environment for a 13 beds on the second floor Youth Crisis Center and 4 beds on the third floor withdrawal management residential program serving youth ages 9–17. The team carefully integrated clinical, safety, and operational requirements into a warm, human-centered design that prioritizes dignity, emotional safety, and ease of navigation for both youth and staff.
As planning, architecture, and interior design partner, Mohagen Hansen and human eXperience curated spaces that actively reduce stress and support stabilization through clear wayfinding, restorative lighting strategies, durable yet calming material palettes, and a thoughtfully sequenced spatial flow. The facility includes welcoming community areas, flexible therapeutic spaces, and a dedicated sensory room with adjustable color and audio controls to support self-regulation and de-escalation. Design decisions were informed by trauma-responsive principles, ensuring spaces feel supportive rather than institutional while maintaining appropriate levels of security. Now open and serving the community, the Center demonstrates how intentional adaptive reuse and empathetic design can transform existing buildings into environments that meaningfully support care, recovery, and long-term well-being.




