This month, we wrap up Blueprint South Dakota’s spotlight on the entries from the 2025 Design Awards competition. AIA South Dakota members again proved their creativity and problem-solving skills with beautifully functional work, on display in communities across South Dakota and beyond. Each installment in this series introduces readers to a different project, in the design team’s own words. As part of every entry form, AIA SD asked submitters to provide a “long description” that addressed the design intent and its progression. We invited submitters to go beyond the stats to show the value the project added for their client or community. In turn, they detailed the problems the project solved, told how their process made the most of hidden opportunities, and described the ways the design supports the client or community through form and function.
Human Service Agency Serenity Hills and C.A.R.E. Facility
The basics
- Firm: TSP, Inc.
- Client: Human Service Agency
- Category: Large Project
- Location: Watertown, S.D.
The story
The Serenity Hills and C.A.R.E. facility in Watertown, S.D., is a 19,000 SF project that blends residential warmth with institutional functionality to support individuals recovering from addiction and mental illness. Designed around principles of well-being, equity, and sustainability, the facility incorporates natural light, calming communal spaces, and thoughtful safety features that prioritize dignity and comfort.
By using a familiar residential vernacular and engaging the local community, the project not only meets critical healthcare needs but also fosters a sense of belonging and support for some of the most vulnerable members of society. The community-rooted project seamlessly integrates trauma-informed design and residential character.
More projects in the series
Click to view a video of all 22 entries in the 2025 AIA South Dakota Design Awards.
