The Art of Beauty with Center for Plastic Surgery and Medspa
Written by TRACY NICHOLSON
Architectural photography by DAN FRANCIS PHOTOGRAPHY
Portraits by BRITTA THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Clinical images by AD SHARK MARKETING & KARISA SHUCK
The Center for Plastic Surgery & Medspa may specialize in outer aesthetics, but our interest is focused inward, to the tranquil beauty of its newly completed 9,300-square-foot South Fargo practice. Here, Dr. Nicholas and Alissa Adams’ architectural endeavor was led with surgical precision, a team effort flawlessly executed by Enclave, Strom Architecture, and Brandi Youngmark Interior Design. In a place designed to catalyze confidence, this team’s pursuit of perfection comes naturally.
When board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Adams, MD, returned to North Dakota in 2020, his vision for the Center for Plastic Surgery (CFPS) quickly became a reality. He’s come a long way from his family’s Grand Forks farm to make it happen, embarking on an academic journey that began with a B.S. and M.D. at UND’s School of Medicine. After graduating with Alpha Omega Alpha honors, Dr. Adams completed the prestigious integrated plastic surgery residency at Michigan State University, where he trained with world-renowned faculty specializing in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. Following plastic surgery residency, Dr. Adams completed the Hand, Upper Extremity, and Microsurgery Fellowship at the University of Arizona in Phoenix, further refining his surgical technique.
Now married for 12 years, Dr. Nicholas and Alissa Adams have planted deep roots in Fargo, raising their two daughters while growing their practice together. Their ambitions are shared yet distinct, with Alissa balancing dual leadership roles as Chief Strategy Officer at CFPS and Chief Operating Officer at West Acres Development. Over the past decade, she has overseen a transformation of West Acres Mall while also guiding CFPS’s facility design and medspa expansion.
Moving the practice from a 2,500-square-foot clinic to a much larger, undeveloped site in South Fargo, the Adamses had a blank slate to re-envision the future of CFPS, which had grown from five employees to 20 in just five years. While Enclave’s team led the development and construction, Strom Architecture helped them design a state-of-the-art facility that thoughtfully reflected the full scope of services across two distinct wings: one dedicated to plastic surgery, and the other to nonsurgical and minimally invasive aesthetic treatments.
“We were fortunate to be part of this project, where our role focused on shaping the overall architectural vision and layout,” said Jackson Strom, Principal Architect & Founder of Strom Architecture. “Our design emphasized natural light, intuitive flow, and patient-centered functionality. Working closely with the interiors team, we laid the architectural groundwork through spatial planning and flow that set the stage for a cohesive design.”
Once plans were developed last summer, the Adamses recruited Brandi Youngmark to help refine the space, tailor its function, and select finishes. “Beyond her design work, Brandi was very helpful throughout this entire process. She was in our old place measuring drawers, meeting with every team member, and making sure that everything fit to a tee,” said Alissa Adams. “Her level of detail is next-level.”
a curated arrival
Inside CFPS, schedule a visit, stay for the vibe. Here, arrival feels like a five-star spa experience, where a wait is worth savoring. Clean architectural lines, polished concrete, and an extraordinary granite reception area set the tone for quiet calm and sophistication, while two inviting lounges offer spaces to settle in. The atmosphere is layered with organic materials, soft daylight, vibrant local art, and fresh floral. A gentle candlelit blend of amber, cardamom, plum, sea salt, and citrus lingers in the air, wrapping guests in a warm, restorative welcome.
With the goal of giving guests and employees a unique experience, Alissa worked with Kale McCollum of downtown Fargo’s Botanical Brothers. He brought a trailer of plants, toured the space, and helped her choose the clinic’s unique collection. Further enhancing the arrival experience, she partnered with Love Always Floral to schedule weekly deliveries of fresh floral arrangements.
To ensure CFPS’s space embodied the vision of its more holistic practice, Alissa worked hand-in-hand with both Strom Architecture and Brandi Youngmark Interior Design. Brandi had first worked with the couple on the build and design of their Fargo home five years ago, so she was familiar with their sophisticated, art-centric style.
“When Alissa reached out again for the new CFPS, I just fell in love with project,” said Youngmark. “Alissa has a great eye for design, so we meshed really well, and we all worked together as a team. Her vision for a more organic, warm, and cozy space was already well-defined, so we incorporated a lot of natural materials and different textures. Typically, when you come into any medical facility, you’d see a very stark white and institutional setting, but here, we wanted to merge the spa and medical sides in a really warm environment — a place where people would feel more at home.”
As a dramatic backdrop, Brandi and Alissa chose extraordinary Taj Mahal Quartzite slabs to flank both sides of the curved Corian reception desk. “Because these slabs are so wide, they were really hard to find, especially in two sister slabs,” said Youngmark. “It was pretty awesome to find them at Stone Holding, so we snagged them and held onto them for a long time. Northern Stone did a beautiful job of installing them. We also accented both slabs with two soft gold sconces on natural alabaster glass bases — adding to the layering of different natural stones, including a more medical- grade quartz for the practice’s countertops.”
abstract expression
Alissa is drawn to creativity and tries to incorporate it in everything she does. She grew up in a family of artists, including her mother, Carol Schlossman, and her aunt, Marjorie Schlossman. Carol’s work is featured throughout the practice, with original pieces in the exam rooms and several in the reception area. To further curate the collection, Alissa and Dr. Adams visited Marjorie’s downtown studio, selecting a series of vibrant abstracts, including the large canvas behind the lounge sofa and its companion piece that hangs behind the reception desk.
“We also carried over a triptych by Marjorie, as well as additional works in the hallway and glassed waiting area,” said Alissa Adams. “We’re grateful to have artists within our family and it is really special to be able to share it with others.” Rounding out the practice’s collection, with plans to continue expanding, Alissa incorporated a large-scale abstract by local artist Kate Baldock, several portraits by Tia Permenter, and watercolors by her sister, Emily Elbom.
framing the view
Underfoot, Brandi and Alissa chose a simple, low- maintenance polished concrete that enables the more prominent architectural details above to remain in the spotlight. “We were focused on elevating the eye upward to the lighter-stained natural Douglas Fir in a tongue-and-groove design that exudes warmth and texture,” explained Youngmark. “I also love that we have two lounge waiting areas, one that is more private, and the other more open.” Anchoring the main space, a dramatic drop chandelier adds soft, sweeping movement, illuminating the architectural expanse from reception to ceiling.
Other signature elements of the design are the perimeter’s repeated arches, built-in casework, inset lighting, and darker-stained wood and shelving that mimic the depth of natural walnut. Youngmark’s guidance helped balance the design’s masculine and feminine qualities, understanding that CFPS serves both men and women. “We used Accessible Beige paint and stone-textured wall coverings, warmer stains, black accents, and a variety of textures that resonate with both, including tweed upholstery, velvet, natural wood, and stone,” added Youngmark.
“This space is planned very intentionally, and our team is excited about it,” said Dr. Adams. “It’s been nice, and I think one of the biggest things, aside from having more space, is the natural light. It brightens the whole day, and I think it just makes everybody happier.” As CFPS’s marketing director, Karisa Shuck shared, “We were truly at capacity in our old space, so it’s been refreshing to have this space that we’re able to grow into and offer a new, unique, and expanded experience for our guests. Coming to work here is the best — the natural light, the energy, the space... it’s amazing.”
“People pick up on the energy of environments, so if our team and guests are in a space that is well-lit, beautifully decorated, and feels more inviting, they carry that energy with them throughout their day,” added Alissa Adams.
“The project was an exciting opportunity to reimagine a clinical environment as a space that feels modern, timeless, and welcoming.””
collaborative care
Dr. Adam’s team takes a holistic approach that helps guests achieve their desired goal through the smallest amount of surgery or the least invasive techniques, which requires collaboration and access to several specialized services. “Welcoming and collaborative spaces were really important to us. It was very tight in our previous space, but it created a very close-knit team,” said Alissa Adams. “We really wanted to carry that over, providing spaces that promote team collaboration throughout the day, without isolation between the medspa and plastic surgery wings.”
In the CFPS’s treatment and consultation rooms, Brandi worked closely with Dr. Adams and the team to map out the new facility by first dissecting the current space and needs, then defining what was missing, not just for efficiency, but also for a variety of desk, technology, and equipment needs. The list was long, as CFPS specializes in advanced surgical procedures for face, body, and breast, along with an extensive list of personalized medspa treatments. While CFPS needed to have a plastic surgery wing for their team and consultations, Dr. Adams conducts his procedures at the Center for Special Surgery, which ensures his team has a full operating room suite.
“We really made sure every office and every clinician had what they needed at their fingertips, including solutions for desks, medical disposal, and refrigeration,” added Youngmark. “We also had to look at the way Dr. Adams worked in his space, including the type of drawers, inventory of drawers, and specific heights for optimal efficiency. Keeping in mind ease of maintenance and antimicrobial materials, we chose laminated and commercial-grade millwork that can be easily wiped down.“
With CFPS on the grow, Strom Architecture’s Grant Willert made sure the new facility’s floorplan could easily expand into the future, further accommodating aesthetic services in the west wing, surgical services in the east wing, and employee services along the north corridor, with a break room, mother’s room, and large conference room. While preserving space for growth, the facility also preserves the dignity of all patients by including a more discreet back entrance and private waiting rooms. “They thought about every need of their patients, really making them feel at home here; they’ve done a really phenomenal job of caring for their patients and their team,” added Youngmark.
“The project was an exciting opportunity to reimagine a clinical environment as a space that feels modern, timeless, and welcoming,” said Strom. “The result is a facility that elevates the patient experience while supporting the day-to-day needs of the practice, reflecting the shared commitment of the entire project team.”
earthen exterior
On the exterior, the team took its design beyond typical Midwest materials, instead sourcing a unique natural stone inspired by southern earthen textures and stone-clad architecture. Before returning to Fargo, the Adamses spent a year living in Arizona, carrying home some of the region’s most iconic design elements. “They wanted that unmortared aesthetic, so each piece was precisely cut and pieced together like a puzzle, with a special overspreading of mortar on the back side to withstand this climate,” explained Youngmark. “We also used black accents and elm wood accents for contrast, but staying away from natural wood, which would be difficult to maintain in this region. Additionally, the dryvit gives the building a really clean design — creating a memorable arrival unlike anywhere else in Fargo.”
the pursuit of perfection
As Alissa noted, this process was a labor of love; a project equally dedicated to their team and guests. “We wanted to make sure they’re coming to a space they deserve,” she said. “The aesthetic of this is not like what you’d normally see in Fargo, but it still has that warm Midwest hospitality.” According to Brandi, in this team, everyone brought their A-game for a flawless execution. “This was a great team and one of the most streamlined projects I have worked on — from Alissa’s expertise and the CFPS team’s feedback throughout the process, to Enclave’s execution and Strom’s architecture team,” said Youngmark.
Jackson Strom, AIA, Principal Architect & Founder Strom Architecture
Jeremy Cossitt, Director of Construction Enclave
Brandi Youngmark, Principal Designer, Brandi Youngmark Interior Design
“There was a consistent theme throughout design and construction — no detail is too small for care and attention,” added Enclave’s Jeremy Cossitt. “It was clear that Dr. Adams and Alissa were approaching this build with the same unfaltering dedication to excellence that they give their patients. Their attention, care, and pursuit of excellence are a testament to their values as business owners and the level of service they give their patients.
This project is unique, and it’s going to set a benchmark for many others around town.”
“From day one, we have put a lot of energy and effort into curating the guest experience, making sure people feel comfortable and welcome, as well as educated and heard,” added Dr. Adams. “This new clinic doesn’t just continue what we were already doing; it amplifies it, allowing us to visit with and help more members of our community.”
DESIGN DETAILS: Developer & Contractor: Enclave Architect: Strom Architecture Interior Design: Brandi Youngmark Interior Design Artwork: Carol Schlossman, Marjorie Schlossman, Kate Baldock Quartzite, Granite & Countertop Install: Northern Stone Furniture: InterOffice Granite Slabs & Quartz Countertop Source: Stone Holding Co. Lighting: Valley Lights Polished Concrete Flooring: Quality Coatings Front Desk & Woodwork/Cabinetry: Waterworth’s Woodshop Fresh Floral Arrangements: Love Always Floral Plants: Botanical Brothers Exterior Stone: Sonoma TerraForm, Blocks to Rocks Flooring: STC Flooring
Additional subcontractors included: Kowalski Brothers Home Improvement, Aqua Lawn & Landscape, JT Lawn Services, Fargo Framing, Fargo Steel Fabrication, Blocks to Rocks Concrete, Herzog Roofing, Meland Lumber Co, Red River Glazing, Miller & Sons Drywall, Precision Plumbing & Heating, FM Electric, All Fab Railings & Metalworks, Agassiz Underground, Advanced Striping, Construction Supply, Cullen Insulation, D&M Industries, Denali Drywall, Dakota Fence, Dirt Dynamics, DM Acoustics, Sandman Structural Engineers, Sticky Construction, Summit Sitework, Systems Technology, The Cleaning Pros, Timber Ridge Exteriors, Nova Fire Protection
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Center for Plastic Surgery & Medspa
3180 49th St. S., Fargo
701.412.2400
concierge@cfpsfargo.com
FB: Center for Plastic Surgery
Insta: fargoplasticsurgery