Historic First: U.S. Architect Consortium Formed for America's Inaugural International Horticultural Exposition

Minnesota-led design team breaks new ground with sustainable architecture vision for Expo 2031 – first International Horticultural Exposition in U.S. history

Minneapolis, MN (September 9, 2025) – The American architecture community reaches a historic milestone as Expo 2031 USA announces the formation of its official Architect Consortium, led by SRF Consulting Group. This marks the first time U.S. architects will design an International Horticultural Exposition, breaking 165 years of international precedent in this prestigious global event series.

The consortium represents a landmark opportunity for American design leadership on the world stage, when the United States joins the ranks of nations that have hosted International Horticultural Expositions since the first event in Hamburg, Germany in 1869. The six-month exposition in Minnesota will showcase American innovation in sustainable design, accessibility integration, and horticultural architecture to millions of international visitors.
 

"From an architectural perspective, this is uncharted territory for the United States," said Todd Polum, CEO of SRF Consulting Group. "We're establishing American design principles within a global exposition framework that has traditionally been dominated by European and Asian approaches. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Minnesota to lead the world stage in design, sustainability, and innovation."
 

The consortium brings together expertise across multiple architectural specializations:

SRF Consulting Group – Comprehensive planning, engineering, and design leadership

4RM+ULA Architects – Cultural and civic architecture with national recognition for inclusive public spaces
HCM Architects – Educational and institutional design expertise

LSE Architects – Large-scale public project experience with accessibility focus

Miller Dunwiddie – Historic preservation and adaptive reuse specialization

Oertel Architects – Community and recreational facility design