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American Family BL2 Renovation

OBJECTIVE:

Renovation Utilization

American Family Insurance operates within a series of office and support buildings at its national headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. The corporate cafeteria, known to its employees as BL2, occupies approximately 30,000 SF at the ground level of the “B” building.

The original BL2 cafeteria was designed over 20 years ago as a traditional dining room. The space was highly utilized over the lunch hour but remained nearly empty most of the day due to its overwhelming scale, lack of flexibility, and absence of technology. The renovation goal was to transform BL2 into a destination that promoted well-being and collaboration and increased employee engagement with the space.

SOLUTION:

Interactive Engagement

The largest zone within BL2 is the dining room. This space is immediately adjacent to the serving station and can accommodate up to 245 users at one time with its mix of standard dining tables, private booths, and community tables. This space is highly functional during dining hours but can also be utilized during off-hours with increased access to electrical power and large plug-and-play monitors.

Residential-feeling lounge furniture is scattered throughout the light-filled sunroom, the active rec room, and the cozy library. This helps support casual dining, informal collaboration, and private work. The kitchen is the heart of the space and is supported by two auxiliary micro-kitchens. These spaces increase access to sinks and microwaves while encouraging impromptu interactions and offering a spot to gather.

A mezzanine structure was built within the two-story space to break up the volume and increase the functional area of BL2. The space below the mezzanine is home to The Coffeehouse. Two of BL2’s eight formal meeting rooms occupy the upper level of the mezzanine. The combination of layered ceiling clouds, a warmer color palette, and a natural canopy created by potted trees help bring scale to the space.

Wellness is promoted by offering recharging zones for different personality types. The main dining space is bookended by an active, energetic rec room and a quiet, restful library. A connection to nature is made through the two-story curtain wall overlooking the manicured grounds, a living wall, and the use of natural materials.

The result is a thoughtful mix of dining space, meeting rooms, micro-kitchens, and recreational and quiet spaces which have transformed BL2 from a one-dimensional cafeteria corridor into an enticing destination. This is a welcoming space for many groups, multiplying the reasons for employees wanting to spend time there.

Ho-Chunk Gaming Master Plan

OBJECTIVE:

Entertainment Destination

The goal of this project was to create a casino/hotel/convention center campus that would serve as a cultural and entertainment destination. The design vision was decidedly modern and forward-looking. The design of this project reflects the historic importance of gaming in Ho-Chunk culture and celebrates the Ho-Chunk tradition of gracious hospitality. Outdoor dining and activity areas as well as a large outdoor event space extend the visitor experience to the surrounding natural landscape.

This site master plan for the 47-acre parcel surrounding the existing Ho-Chunk Gaming facility will serve as a destination entertainment district for the Greater Capital Region. The plan includes an expanded casino and a new hotel/conference center, heritage center, regional sports complex, restaurants, retail space, and other entertainment. The objective is to create a vibrant and unique place in which social and physical connectivity is strengthened, environmental sustainability is prioritized, and Ho-Chunk culture and heritage are celebrated.

SOLUTION:

Cultural Celebration

The proposed Heritage Center is designed to fulfill the goal of sharing, preserving, and celebrating the stories of the Ho-Chunk nation, who have made the Madison area, the “Four Lakes” region, their home for thousands of years. The architecture of the proposed Heritage Center was designed to create a timeless context for celebrating and honoring the culture and history of the Ho-Chunk people.

The site and landscape design involve deliberate sculpting of the land to define and create space. This includes defining the Great Circle, berming to screen the parking structures, creating view corridors, and referencing Ho-Chunk heritage through the tradition of mound-building. Circles are important in Ho-Chunk culture as the form of their gathering spaces, and this is reflected in the Great Circle and the Great Room of the Heritage Center. The Great Circle is a large circular lawn-covered green space that will be the venue for celebrations and performances. On axis with the Great Circle is a large overhead garage door that opens the Conference Center to the outside, creating a stage for performances and celebrations. The existing wetland on the site would be restored and a surrounding prairie and oak savanna would feature interpretive walking paths. The buildings—except the heritage center, which would be set off from other facilities—are designed to seem like one large structure with strong complementary architecture.

Specifically, the master plan includes:

An expansion and remodel of the tribe’s existing two-story, 60,000 SF casino
A four-story hotel with 150 to 250 rooms, including a 90-seat fine dining restaurant and 30,000 SF spa next to a three-story, 1,112-space parking garage
A 33,000 SF heritage center offering an in-depth history of the tribe
A 15,000 SF conference center that could also double as an entertainment venue
A 150-seat restaurant between the expanded casino and conference center
A three-story, 908-space parking garage next to the conference center in a second phase
A small food court and “fast-casual” restaurant
Over 25,000 SF of foodservice and dining operations

Ho-Chunk plans to build the district in phases, beginning with the expansion of the existing casino and the addition of a hotel with restaurants, a conference center, and structured parking. The second phase would include the development of the heritage center and sports complex.

The Sylvee

Awards

Best of Madison 2020 Readers Poll by Madison Magazine

Best Live Music Venue and Best Performance Venue

2020

InBusiness Commercial Design Awards

2019

American Society of Interior Design (ASID)

Silver Design Excellence Award for Contract – Entertainment/ Recreation

2019

InBusiness Commercial Design Awards

2018

OBJECTIVE:

World-Class Music

The Sylvee is owned by Frank Productions, a family business, and a cornerstone of the Madison community for more than 50 years. Strang designers worked closely with the family to assure The Sylvee accurately reflects the legacy of Herb and Sylvia Frank. The venue, which resides in the Gebhardt Building, is a 40,000-SF 2,500-person music hall designed to meet the strong and lasting demand for world-class live music in Madison by attracting the nation’s biggest acts.

SOLUTION:

Creating Exceptional Experiences

Designed for music from the ground-up, this theater has the amenities and robust, state-of-the-art infrastructure of a world-class live music venue. The open three-story space ensures that no patron is more than 85 feet from the stage and maximizes sight lines no matter where one is standing.

In order to attract the biggest acts to Madison, the design team placed a significant focus on creating the most positive experience for the artists and their crews through strategic space planning. The loading dock and stage are immediately adjacent to each other, and the straight shot facilitates easy set-up and tear-down. The lighting grid above the stage can support over 100,000lbs, easily accommodating even the most elaborate lighting trusses, which is unique for a theater of this size. Similarly, for the artists themselves, the green room and dressing rooms are immediately accessible from the loading dock.

Planning for convenience was not limited to the back-of-house. The main public entrance to the theater is located on the opposite side of the building from the stairs and restrooms, in order to encourage people to disperse upon entry rather than congregating immediately inside the doors. The venue can also be pre-loaded before the doors are officially open thanks to an integrated curtain that allows patrons to enter the venue and access merchandise, coat check, the bar, and restrooms.

Rendering I

U.S. Geological Survey WMA Office

Awards

IIDA Wisconsin

Award of Excellence - Work under 5,000 SF
2023

OBJECTIVE:

Fresh Fit-Out

When the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Water Mission Area (WMA) moved across town to the USDA Forest Products Lab building, they partnered with Strang to renovate the old, outdated 3rd floor into a fresh and collaborative space.

The USGS’s goal was to fit the space out to make it as comfortable and healthy for staff as possible. This project started at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, so health concerns were as important as giving staff a physically comfortable space. The USGS also sought to use this office space as a place to celebrate sustainability, local materials, and the outdoors—all things that are at the core of their organization. Finally, this space needed to fit multiple work styles within a small area. Technology, collaboration zones and acoustical planning were all important elements to creating a productive space.

SOLUTION:

Health and Wellbeing

Concern for the comfortability, health, and wellbeing of their employees was at the forefront of this design. One example is outside air exchange system. This allows for a quicker exchange of fresh air which helps keep the space’s air clean and allows easier breathing. To further address COVID concerns, workspaces were also placed at 120-degree desk clusters and removable acrylics barriers were placed between desks. These can be easily removed later to further increase the open office feel.

Collaborative Planning

A main challenge of this space was its small square footage. The USGS has multiple offices throughout the US they work and communicate with. Employees required the ability to work (and use visual and audio technology) from multiple locations within the small office. Strang designed multiple areas to meet this need, including the standard office desks, a “kitchen” gathering area, a small collaboration zone in the middle of the office, and a larger collaboration zone at the back wall.

With so many employees required to fit into the small space, proper acoustics was also a top priority. Strang ended up designing the space for employees to have easy communication with neighbors, while retaining the ability for private conversations. Acoustical panel ceiling clouds were hung throughout the space and felt acoustic hung panels served double purpose as an interesting visual with their decorative laser cut design. A white noise sound masking system was also installed in the space. These devices hung around the office help control background noise by emitting a frequency similar to human speech, leading to greater speech privacy.

Creating Sustainability

The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it—sustainability and the outdoors are integral values of their organization. Strang celebrated these ideals through the use of natural and sustainable materials as much as possible. This included using linoleum floor tiles (instead of luxury vinyl tiles) and custom work tops from the local Menominee Tribal Enterprises for desks and conference room tables.

The use of wood is also a strong feature throughout the space. These wood accent walls are not only visually appealing but are used to hold acoustic panels. They also serve as a workable surface to tack things up. Further cementing the biophilic design, plants are abundant throughout the space. Lastly, a digital “whiteboard” was added to an entire wall using a greyscale satellite image of the Yukon Territory from the USGS’s own photo cache as a background. This impactful image, wood accents, sustainable materials, and the incorporation of water blues and forest greens throughout the space all celebrate the ethos of the USGS and their connection to nature.

USGS National Wildlife Health Center Master Plan & Space Planning Modernization Study

U.S. Geological Survey WMA Office render

OBJECTIVE:

In Modernization

In support of USGS goals, Strang was contracted to study the feasibility of consolidating the various USGS entities and programs in the Madison, Wisconsin area onto property already owned by the USGS and currently occupied by the National Wildlife Health Center (NWSHC). The Strang team reviewed and validated the National Wildlife Health Center modernization study while developing multiple approaches for their space planning program over the next 10-15 years.

The key goals of the USGS Madison Consolidation Feasibility Study were to:

SOLUTION:

Phased Planning

Strang has a longstanding relationship with USGS and has been providing guidance on their space planning for over a decade. Strang used planning tools, including guided discussions and workshops to generate three phasing scenario concepts for review and approval by the USGS’s science and facilities staff. This modernization study is intended to supplement the 2016 Master Plan. This study addresses the NWHC’s concerns for providing a complete program and concept design that will meet all campus planning objectives including, but not limited to site utilities capacities, design, parking, vehicle and pedestrian flow, service access, secured access, and storm water management.

Phasing and planning options were developed to assure no adverse impact to ongoing operations, including site utilities and access to, from, and between all facilities. The first phase starts in the current parking lot, nearest to the existing buildings. This allows subsequent construction traffic to be concentrated away from NWHC operations. As the team developed project cost estimates to best suit the phasing needs and funding constraints, the three phased approaches provide USGS and the NWHC with options in selecting a path forward that meets their current need while aligning with funding opportunities.

The space planning study will help USGS and NWHC focus on right sizing the various spaces. The number of labs and holding rooms and the sizes of each have been adjusted based on anticipated program needs. Two major deviations from the previous program were identified. This includes the reclassification of many labs from BSL-3 to BSL-2. The site has been able to push more of the work out of the BSL-3 spaces. To protect against a reversing of this trend and being faced with too little high containment labs, some BSL-2 labs and support spaces were identified to be configured and detailed for conversion to BSL-3. The updated program requirements provide an appropriate increase to the operational area of the NWHC, expanding research capabilities, and verifying ongoing compliance with containment regulations. The program has more flexible lab space and expansion of diagnostic facilities. This space planning study will take USGC through to the next 10-15 years.

USDA Forest Products Laboratory

OBJECTIVE:

On-Call Service

Strang’s history with USDA Forest Products Lab extends back to 1967 to the design of a wood chemistry laboratory and has continued throughout each decade with an entrance remodeling, a condition survey of buildings 39 and 40, a boiler replacement, a five-year IDIQ contract from 2011-2016, and a current, on-going IDIQ. Our projects have included dozens of renovations, analysis, evaluations, designs, campus planning and system replacements.

Projects Completed:

Campus Projects Master Plan
Facility Assessments
Heat Exchanger
B1 Chilled Water Plant
B1 Chilled Water Plant
B4-B15 Roof Replacement
Laboratory Design

Fume Hood Replacement
Bridge Connection Design
Window Replacement
USGS Office Design
Courtyard Design
Steam Condensation Repair
Forest Service Fire Test Fume

NRS Grand Rapids, MN Roof Upgrade
B34 Column Repair
B29 Arches
B1 Library Planning
Sanitary and Storm Sewer Evaluation and Design
B33 Window Replacement

SOLUTION:

Building 34 & 50

Lab renovations in Building 34 included replacement of all wood casework, epoxy tops, and fume hoods. Electrical raceway was salvaged, re-painted, and re-installed to support the new users. Utility upgrades include converting the exhaust system to VAV and waste and vent piping that had deteriorated from heavy acid use. Upgrade finishes were provided throughout. Strang designed for the replacement of failing direct buried steam and condensate piping from the campus steam system to Forest Products Labs Building 50. The new design included proper expansion compensation within a new buried concrete steam box conduit.

Steam Pit

Strang also provided engineering design and documentation for a steam replacement project. This project was done in collaborations with the Department of Facilities Development and Management for the State of Wisconsin. One of the buildings on the Forest Products Laboratory’s site is served from a steam pit tied to the UW-Madison Walnut Street heating plant. The existing 180 PSI steam and pumped condensate return from the steam pit was originally routed underground and direct buried to the building.

Over the course of 10 years, the pumped condensate piping developed a leak from inappropriate piping, insulation, and thermal expansion compensation. As steam condensate leaked underground, it further degraded the steam piping and insulation. The project included evaluation of piping, insulation, and structure of the steam pit, and installation of new concrete box conduit.

HVAC System

An additional project of special note is Strang’s work with Johnson Controls to convert the existing HVAC system of FPL’s Building 33 and 34 to use variable volume supply and exhaust. Strang provided complete load calculations, VAV selections, exhaust fan re-work, and control sequences as part of a performance contract through Johnson Controls, Inc.

Over the course of 10 years, the pumped condensate piping developed a leak from inappropriate piping, insulation, and thermal expansion compensation. As steam condensate leaked underground, it further degraded the steam piping and insulation. The project included evaluation of piping, insulation, and structure of the steam pit, and installation of new concrete box conduit.

Dane County Job Center Solar Arrays

OBJECTIVE:

The Power of the Sun

The scope of the project was to incorporate a renewable energy generation system in the form of a solar PV array to offset the energy consumed at the Dane County Job Center, thereby taking responsibility for energy used in service to the County operations. A study was prepared at the New Holland Pavilions and Job Center, and given the year-round activities at the Job Center, resources were devoted to this site study.

SOLUTION:

Economic Energy Use

Strang is intimately familiar with this facility. We have completed a top to bottom building condition report followed by an extensive renovation of all mechanical and electrical systems, ceilings, and lighting in the areas related to this facility. We have also replaced the roofing and designed the solar array covering most of the roof surface. Strang’s advanced energy modeling capabilities led to informed decisions throughout the entire design process.

This site was first evaluated for energy consumption, and the rooftop was evaluated for support of an array that would work alongside the existing electrical infrastructure. Based on the options offered, a solar array of 170kW would yield the most favorable solution. Our design team targeted 226,000 kWh per year of potential energy savings. In dollars, this translates to $25,000 per year. This represents significant savings to the county. Across a useful life of 20 years, this equates to $500,000. With a project cost of $500,000, the project cost is a wash.

In terms of sustainability, this project took responsibility for on-site energy use by on-site generation using the mighty power of the sun. Fossil fuel consumption was displaced with light as a non-polluting power source. The project is also nestled in a residential neighborhood and by locating the array on the roof of an existing structure, the project had no impact on the neighborhood’s aesthetics, noise, and carbon pollution.

New Holland Pavilions at Alliant Energy Center

Awards

InBusiness Commercial Design Awards

2015

OBJECTIVE:

Dairy & Livestock Showcase

For over 100 years, the Alliant Energy Center Campus has served as a hub of activity for the farming and ranching community, ultimately growing to support world-class livestock and equine events. This multi-use facility was designed to replace the site’s former 12 aging agricultural barns.

The largest challenge was to design two state-of-the-art multi-purpose pavilions totaling over 290,000 SF which could be constructed in 5 months to avoid interrupting the campus’ two largest annual events, the Midwest Horse Fair in April, and the World Dairy Expo in September. Eleven existing stand-alone buildings needed to be demolished and site remediation needed to occur within this same timeframe.

“Strang, Inc. has been a presence for over 25 years on the Alliant Energy Center Campus...because of the excellent design team and project approach that was presented. It is evident to me...that you have incorporated all of the state-of-the-art technology to assist in the design process and communicate with your clients.”

Eric Urtes, Executive Vice President, Corporate Service, M3 Insurance Solutions Inc.

SOLUTION:

Prefabricated Configuration

The New Holland Pavilions are widely recognized as the most advanced multi-purpose pavilions in the country providing world-class 290,000 SF space for a wide range of national livestock, equine, and athletic events.

To meet schedule needs, a modular approach to constructing the pavilions was employed. Demolition and site remediation work began first, working from the west end of the site to the east end. New construction immediately followed working from west to east just behind the demolition. The construction was completed on time and both the Midwest Horse Fair and World Dairy Expo events occurred without interruption and on schedule.

Pavilion 1 is a 90,000 SF building that includes nearly 8,000 SF of pre-function space. The remaining 80,000 SF provides ample space for livestock stalls, wash bays, and restrooms with showers. Pavilion 2 measures 200,000-SF, allowing additional space for livestock stalls, restrooms, and the 20×12 walk-through BouMatic Milking parlor. The new milking parlor includes two 2000-gallon milk tanks, a new energy-efficient chiller system, touch point and SmartControl meters for cow side management, and evolution pulsators.

The Pavilions also feature a state-of-the-art innovative pressurized ventilation system that draws clean fresh air from the building and distributes it evenly and with consistent velocity over the entire floor. Air is exhausted through overhead door openings and side wall vents providing year-round comfort. The result is improved air quality and comfort control applied to livestock and staff.

The building envelope and structural system were developed for economy and speed of construction, utilizing prefabricated and modular techniques, but not at the expense of aesthetics. The large scale of the pavilions allowed for custom prefabricated configurations creating unique and attractive forms at a very reasonable cost.

Unique project features include:

An automated 24-stall milking parlor
Over 500,000 SF of site development (over 13 acres)
290,000 SF of enclosed building (over 6 acres) under roof
30’ wide covered canopy along north and south walls
Stormwater from the roofs is all being drained underground
Site access to both pavilions from all four sides

WiscNet

OBJECTIVE:

Collective Collaboration

WiscNet is an organization that provides research and education networking services to public and private higher education, K-12 school districts, libraries, municipalities, and hospitals throughout Wisconsin.

WiscNet was looking to expand its workplace and showcase its strong brand identity. The goal was to have a collaborative and cooperative office that would connect its 25-member staff and organizational members. They desired a fresh, contemporary space that would create opportunities for the community to grow ideas and share strategies while maintaining a feel that was uniquely theirs.

SOLUTION:

Community Within

WiscNet underwent a master planning effort to determine the best fit for their new workplace. The result of that study placed them at the University Research Park in Madison within a 10,000 SF tenant suite. They chose this location for its proximity to bike paths, programmable outdoor space, and the opportunity for future growth.

The design goal was to create a fresh, contemporary, work environment that would also engage people socially. The completed design includes neutral finishes with branded pops of color that help create a vibrant workplace. Structured and spontaneous collaboration is integrated into the office plan through a mix of zones that provide employees with choices: private meeting spaces, open collaborative areas, one-person enclaves, and a work café outfitted with relevant technology. The Strategic Technology Lab provides another zone for heads-down development of both software and hardware, creating an efficient workstation in the open work area.

The floor plan optimizes natural daylight, with a 20’ living wall in the main entry offering a unique indoor/outdoor connection. The interior space was planned on a 45-degree angle to maximize daylight penetration and provide exterior views from the open office. To bring natural daylight into the core of the building, 13 skylights were strategically placed throughout the space and the 14-foot ceiling was left exposed and painted bright white. In addition to the skylights, three Solatubes provide natural light to the 20-foot living wall in the lobby and reception area. Frameless glass systems were used on the face of private offices and meeting spaces to allow further access to light and to enforce the open office aesthetic.

Strang designers worked closely with WiscNet leadership to create a fresh, contemporary, social working environment. This space re-centered focus on the organization’s mission and values. WiscNet features a “Community Within” approach that focuses on flexible, personal, user group, and virtual interaction (i.e., real-time web, voice, and video functionality). We created a branded office environment that supports each of these types of work now and well into the future.

Venture Investors Office

Awards

International Interior Design Association (IIDA) WI Awards

Office under 9,999 SF Award of Excellence

2022

OBJECTIVE:

First Impressions

Venture Investors is a Madison-based venture capital firm that works closely with some of the nation’s leading researchers and clinicians. Strang partnered with them to create a new 1,435 SF office space that provides a subtle, yet impactful first impression.

Venture Investors’ goal was to “wow” investors, clients, and other users of the space. Additionally, the office desired a professional, modern, and clean working environment. With Strang’s help, the existing tenant space was reworked and refreshed to include tasteful and deliberate design details that leave a lasting impact.

SOLUTION:

Small Space, Large Impact

Strang’s main project challenge was working within the parameters of a small space. Feature elements in the space had to purposefully serve as both visually impactful and functional—every detail needed to count.

A primary example of the interplay between form and function was the L-shaped form that wraps from the office walls to above the reception desk. While offering an aesthetic visual, it also serves functionally as the doorways into the offices. This required our design team to custom design both the doors and door frames so that they appeared to be a seamless part of the L-shape. We continued this feature throughout the office creating a visual rhythm as you move deeper into the space.

Design Dialogue

Another key objective for this space was creating a dialogue between each separate design element. Offices traditionally aren’t visible from the main building corridor, but this office suite offers an extended view into the space from the corridor. The relationship from the corridor to the suite is parallel to the wooden door feature, complimenting the desk to the door, and the outside to the inside. The wooden L-shaped ceiling feature runs in a continuous line to the custom doors, further drawing visitors into the office.

The front entry desk design mirrors the ceiling waterfall effect, forging a strong dialogue between the desk down low and the large feature above. Like the doors, a desk is a necessary element to any office reception desk, but with our purposeful design, it blends seamlessly into its environment while adding a dramatic effect.

Down to the Details

At 1,435 SF, this office packs quite the punch into every square foot. Maximizing the space while keeping the design clean, modern, and open, meant every detail was designed to make an impact on users. The rhythm and flow of the user’s experience and visuals were considered before they even step into the space. Often the simplest forms can be deceiving—but like this project, it takes a clear design point of view and understanding of the space to achieve both function and beauty within simplicity.

Location: Madison

Renovation Utilization

Interactive Engagement

Entertainment Destination

Cultural Celebration

Awards

World-Class Music

Creating Exceptional Experiences

Awards

Fresh Fit-Out

Health and Wellbeing

Collaborative Planning

Creating Sustainability

In Modernization

Phased Planning

On-Call Service

Building 34 & 50

Steam Pit

HVAC System

The Power of the Sun

Economic Energy Use

Awards

Dairy & Livestock Showcase

Prefabricated Configuration

Collective Collaboration

Community Within

Awards

First Impressions

Small Space, Large Impact

Design Dialogue

Down to the Details