Leading architecture firms working in Indian Country showcase their projects, reflecting a blend of modern design innovation and deep-rooted cultural traditions.
BWA Architects / bwaltd.com
Graton Resort & Casino (Expansion)
The Graton Resort & Casino expansion project adds approximately 144,000 sq. ft. of new space to the Sonoma, CA property, and will include nearly 2,000 slot machines, a new high limit gaming space, poker room and sports bar.
The expansion, which is being built in several phases, carries Graton’s existing sleek, modern streamlined design, creating a complimentary aesthetic with the existing facility. Graton Rancheria tribal cultural elements will be included in the facility’s art. The new five-level parking structure features solar panels that supply power to its EV charging stations. Future project phases include a hotel expansion and new 3,500-seat theater.
The expansion reflects Graton’s mission to provide the highest quality guest experience and to be the premier entertainment destination in Sonoma County, as well as create new local job opportunities (Graton Resort & Casino is already one of Sonoma County’s largest private employers).
The current expansion project under construction is slated for completion in late fall of 2025, with the next expansion phase to follow at a later date.
BWA Architects / bwaltd.com
Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel (New Hotel Tower, Spa, Ballroom)
Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel delivers the excitement of a Las Vegas Strip casino resort at the picturesque Washington State property. The excitement continues with Snoqualmie’s expansion, which includes the gaming floor, high-limit area, new sports bar with an outdoor deck, new coffee shop, hotel check in, and a future steak house with outdoor space and retractable awnings.
The existing ballroom was converted to non-smoking gaming, and the existing sportsbook was expanded. To enhance the entry experience, a new water feature was incorporated at the porte cochere. The new 212-room hotel tower has suites on every level, with amenities including a new spa with treatment rooms, pool and hot tub area (including one outdoors), and new fitness area. A new 2,000-seat capacity ballroom is dividable into six smaller rooms, along with six separate meeting rooms and banquet kitchen to service ballroom and meeting room functions. The expansion also includes new back of house, warehouse, laundry, and loading dock functions to improve operations, with a new four-story valet garage and future seven-story parking garage that tie into the existing garage.
BWA worked with a cultural committee formed by the Snoqualmie Tribe to incorporate tribal traditional items into facility artwork, and into the building’s shape.
The expansion further enhances the Snoqualmie patron experience and increases its appeal as a sought-after destination for leisure and business. This will allow the Snoqualmie Casino to better serve existing guests and attract new clientele. The expansion opening is currently planned at end of June 2025.
Cuningham / cuningham.com
Acorn Ridge Casino (New Casino)
Cuningham is collaborating with the Ione Band of Miwok Indians and Warner Gaming on a new casino project. Located in Plymouth, CA, Acorn Ridge Casino is the tribe’s first foray into gaming and is being developed to provide a solid foundation for their community’s long-term growth and vision. The property is designed to be a state-of-the-art boutique gaming and culinary facility, offering patrons an elevated gaming experience with the latest slots and classic table games, dining experiences featuring the region’s wines, and unique outdoor recreational and entertainment spaces. The project components include indoor/outdoor gaming, a full-service restaurant, bar, and support spaces. Cuningham’s design centers around open, visually connected spaces to create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors while highlighting the rich wine culture in the region. Large operable windows throughout the casino establish a seamless indoor to outdoor flow, while the gaming floor features a striking custom light installation inspired by the region’s iconic oak trees. Sited to preserve the surrounding wetlands and waterways, the building purposefully integrates with the area’s rolling hills and is designed with future expansions in mind, including additional gaming space and a hotel.
The project is planned to open in early 2026.
Cuningham / cuningham.com
Wildhorse Resort & Casino (Hotel and Event Center Expansion)
Cuningham’s recent work in the Pacific Northwest includes a phased Hotel and Event Center expansion at Wildhorse Resort & Casino in Pendleton, OR. In collaboration with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Cuningham is adding substantial resort elements to align with the tribes’ evolving vision for the future. The project components include a 10-story hotel with 214 rooms, an event center, and a meeting room addition. Also included in the design is a new three-meal restaurant and the relocation of the property’s Wild Roast Coffee & Deli. The design process involved refining and opening circulation paths to improve guest flow and visibility, reimagining interior concepts, and simplifying connections between key spaces. Cuningham’s design creates a light, airy atmosphere, moving away from the original heavy, block-like forms to incorporate softer, more neutral tones and curved-edge furniture. The use of patterns inspired by the region’s iconic Pendleton blankets add a cultural touch to the design, bringing warmth and character to the modern and elegant aesthetic.
The project is under construction and expected to be complete near the end of 2026.
HBG Design / hbg.design
Gun Lake Casino (Phase 5 Expansion)
Gun Lake Casino in Wayland, MI, located just south of Grand Rapids, and owned by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Tribe), has set their sights on creating the premier entertainment destination in the mid-west.
Setting Gun Lake Casino apart in the region will be the never-before-seen six-story, 32,000 sq. ft. Wawyé Oasis multipurpose pool and event center atrium complex, and the 252-key, four-diamond hotel and full-service spa. This combination of non-gaming amenities is planned to make Gun Lake Casino Resort a year-round “daycation” attraction for guests coming as far away as Chicago and Detroit.
At its core, the Wawyé Oasis is a visionary concept encompassing a glass-roofed, climate-controlled indoor landscaped environment shaped like a large sundial to optimize sun exposure while shielding against the weather elements. In a region renowned for its cold and windy winters, this atrium will maintain a cozy 82-degree climate year-round, complete with preserved tropical flora and terraced lawns. From an immersive pool environment to versatile concert venue, the event possibilities within this unique multi-purpose space are truly limitless as it transitions from an active resort pool oasis by day to a dynamic performance complex by night. The Wawyé Oasis will be open to guests in mid-2025.
HBG Design / hbg.design
Ho-Chunk Gaming (Beloit Gaming Complex)
A bold vision is taking shape in the Chicagoland market, where the Ho-Chunk Nation is crafting its most ambitious project yet: the $500 million Ho-Chunk Gaming casino complex in Beloit, WI. This transformative development is being designed and delivered by HBG Design, and constructed by Miron Construction Co.
Competition in the gaming market is fierce, and the Ho-Chunk Nation is meeting the challenge head-on with a project that plans to offer a distinctive entertainment experience. “In the gaming market, our competitors are stepping up, as they should,” says Robert Mudd, Executive Director of Business for the Ho-Chunk Nation. “Each offers a unique product, and that’s our aim too.”
From a state-of-the-art casino with 1,500-1,800 slot machines and 44 table games to an 18-story, 300-key hotel tower and a sprawling multi-purpose event/convention center, the comprehensive complex will be geared directly to customer interests. Add to that diverse dining options and a cutting-edge sports betting experience, thanks to an agreement with the State of Wisconsin, and you have a destination designed to captivate.
Set on 33 acres near Interstate 39-90, the project broke ground in fall of 2024 and is slated to open in 2026. Its journey to fruition, approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 2022, represents years of federal processes and discussion and negotiation among the Ho-Chunk Nation, local leaders, and community stakeholders, guided by a collaborative team of planning consultants, designers and contractors.
JCJ Architecture / jcj.com
Jamul Casino (Luxury Hotel Addition)
With the mission to create a leading hospitality experience while remaining sensitive to the neighboring communities, JCJ Architecture was engaged as the design architect, architect of record, and interior designer for a new 16-story luxury hotel addition to the Jamul Casino in Jamul, CA. Slated for completion this year, the 371,000 sq. ft. hotel and parking structure expansion will allow the existing casino to continue providing an unmatched hospitality experience in the region, keenly focused on creating top-class amenities and experiences that stand out. The development allocates revenue for the tribal government, improving the general welfare and continued advancement of its tribal members.
The hotel’s exterior presents a crystalline jewel box floating against the Jamul Mountains while the interior experience manifests retreat and relaxation through the selection of nature-inspired color palettes and materiality. The guestroom tower highlights expansive natural surroundings, providing sweeping views throughout the property. The array of guest-rooms and suites incorporate subtle yet impactful flora and fauna design elements to further immerse guests, facilitating a connection to the outdoors. The hotel offers an array of amenities, including a specialty food and beverage venue, world-class spa, and a rooftop pool.
TBE Architects / tbearchitects.com
4 Bears Casino & Lodge (New Hotel Tower)
The 4 Bears Casino and Lodge is located more than 70 miles from the modest populations of Minot and Williston, ND. Recognizing a need for a new hotel tower to improve the guest experience, the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation (MHA Nation) partnered with TBE Architects to replace the oldest section of their lodge.
Reaching 92 ft. into the sky, a beautiful new seven-story tower includes 104 guestrooms, with 14 luxurious suites that feature a fusion of mosaic tiles, custom carpeting, elegant wall coverings, and views that look out over the serene waters of Lake Sakakawea. Topping off the tower, TBE Architects designed a full-service steakhouse featuring decadent black-marble floors, a sophisticated wine bar, and floor-to-ceiling windows so guests can admire the surrounding landscape.
This project is currently under construction with a highly anticipated completion of early 2026.
TBE Architects / tbearchitects.com
Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana (Luxury Hotel Addition)
Over the past couple of years, TBE Architects and the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana have been working together on multiple projects to elevate the overall guest experience at Coushatta Casino Resort. Updates to the property include a complete renovation of their 25,000 sq. ft. entertainment venue, a gorgeous new bingo hall featuring symbols that honor the Coushatta culture and heritage, and a vibrant new high limit lounge with custom carpeting, unique screens, and designed lighting throughout.
Currently under development, is an eight-story luxury hotel with an estimated construction cost of $150 million. This tower will boast 204 rooms, 100 of which will be high-end suites for the destination properties’ distinguished guests. The location of Coushatta’s third tower will position the property to expand their gaming floor and allows for the creation of a centralized guest check-in, serving all three towers.