Arts + Literature Laboratory

Arts + Literature Laboratory Gallery area
Arts + Literature Laboratory interior

Objective:

Multifunctional and Flexible

The Arts + Literature Laboratory is a community-based art center that seeks to encourage visual, literary, and performing artists to explore and develop their craft. Art + Lit + Lab required a new space to help them foster an inclusive artistic community that connects artists and resources through education and cultural outreach, as well as provide a space to showcase the work of both established and emerging artists and writers.

Our objective was to create a space that could operate in a multitude of ways and provide a welcoming feel for everyone within the community. Art + Lit + Lab needed a functional working environment for the variety of programs and artistic mediums used within the space. This included studio space for artists, a community area, an educational space, and a performance stage. As art is often showcased at Art + Lit + Lab, they also needed to display this art in unique ways.

Because this space required such a multiuse function within a limited space and budget, this design presented certain challenges. Space for textiles, pottery, literature, storytelling, live poetry, music, and other artistic mediums all needed to be included within the design. Art + Lit + Lab is not only a doer space but a learning space and required a design that was multi-use, accessible, easy to convert, and easy to navigate.

SOLUTION:

Open Up

Strang’s central solution for Art + Lit + Lab’s needs was an open concept, multifunctional space that could be used for a variety of people and events. The first-floor gallery is separated by large 8 ft wide doors that pivot on their center, allowing for the room to be divided or opened up to create even more space, as well as showcase art in an unconventional way. Large windows were utilized not just for their natural light, but to display art and generate interest in those passing by and looking in. The second floor also made use of these windows, bringing in light throughout all areas of the space.

A library, writing center, multiple studio spaces, and an open concept community studio that can be used for a multitude of functions are located on the second floor while the first floor allows for more event and education space as well as gallery options.

Finishes and colors were kept simple and unobtrusive to allow for the focus to remain on the art being displayed. Basic concrete, wood, glass, and matte finish paints were all chosen to help showcase the art as the main story of the space, rather than the design.

Art + Lit + Lab stands out due to its multifunctional nature. It is not just an art gallery, performance space, or classroom–it encompasses a multitude of mediums and communities. This multi-purpose concept is designed to appeal not only to serious professional artists, but also to provide a welcoming atmosphere to any community member, amateur artist, or educational program that would use the space.

Eurofins Food Chemistry Testing

Eurofins office building
Eurofins

OBJECTIVE:

One-of-a-Kind Laboratory Design

Laboratory design might look simple—but these complex facilities often place numerous hours of design intent and laboratory protocol behind simple decisions. Finding the right balance between flexibility and efficiency is what makes a project like this sing. Eurofins is the global leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic product testing. Their recent new Madison headquarters includes 108,000 GSF, high throughput, analytical laboratory space built with this kind of harmony in mind. They play a key part in the consumer food chain, and this laboratory is one of a kind–not just in Madison, but the world.

After outgrowing their previous facility, Eurofins needed a flexible and efficient space created specifically around their unique processes. They are now at home in a right-sized building designed to suit their every need and process. Their new building includes two main chemistry labs over 10,000 SF each with 44, 6-foot fume hoods.

SOLUTION:

Efficient Sample Analysis

Efficiencies have been designed into every aspect of this project, from sample receipt, prep, and analysis. Functions and processes were previously spread out across multiple floors and wings. Consolidating these areas into two very large labs (some of the largest single lab spaces in contemporary lab planning) allowed for a significant increase in efficiency.

This was especially beneficial to our client, where samples reign supreme. As a company they deal with thousands of samples every day, identifying, logging, and distributing them. Keeping these samples moving through the lab was essential in our design. Our designers worked to create a clear flow through the building from receiving to end. Guided wayfinding also helps lead both samples and employees through the necessary processes in a clear, efficient manner. Now, the samples make their way in a straight line from the loading dock to the laboratory. With the packaging area this close, it maximizes downtime. Saving seconds from the analysis of one sample add up when looking at the vast quantities of samples this company receives.

"I would absolutely recommend working with Strang."

Brent Rozema, Eurofins Food Testing

Mechanical Systems and Solar Array 360 Tour

Eurofins Madison Office 360 Tour

Sustainable Lab Systems

The project utilized high-performance, desiccant dehumidification and steam humidification systems for critical environmental controls. Premium efficiency, air-cooled chillers allowed for high performance lab cooling. Air-side energy recovery was applied where code-required and expanded where appropriate. The project evaluated the cost/benefit of variable volume fume exhaust systems and ductless fume hoods, with a final determination that VAV fume exhaust would result in favorable financial payback and energy savings, along with certain favorable applications for ductless systems. Additionally, air-side economizers were designed for spaces with significant cooling demands throughout the year.

warehouse
Rendering I
Rendering II

Summit Credit Union Monona

Summit Credit Union Monona
Summit Credit Union Monona interior

Awards

InBusiness Commercial Design Awards

2018

Objective:

Community Engagement

Summit Credit Union’s newest branch in Monona, Wisconsin was designed to establish a strategic presence in the Monona community. This facility sought to reflect Summit’s ongoing commitment to member service, while adding value to and supporting local small businesses and households.

Summit Credit Union desired a highly visible site and facility that reaches out to the community. The site presented several challenges to achieve this goal. These challenges include limited street exposure to Monona Drive, being longer in the east-west direction, and the street having a north-south orientation. The city of Monona Plan Commission also required the building to front onto Monona Drive.

SOLUTION:

Dynamic Planning

In response to the fact that the site has two “fronts” and no “back”, the branch is designed as a 4-sided building with a welcoming street façade on the east and a main entrance and parking lot on the west. Due to the site constraints, the floor plan of the branch is trapezoidal, to provide enough floor area to accommodate all the program elements within an active and elegant design. The unique trapezoidal form of the building overhangs and serves as visual reminder of Summit reaching out to the community on Monona Drive. Overall, Summit was able to create a highly visible building on a challenging site, while the City of Monona gained a valuable community asset.

Sustainable Design

Floor-to-ceiling windows allow for much of the building to rely on natural daylighting, reducing the facility’s lighting energy use. To underscore Summit’s commitment to sustainability, large vertical sail-shaped fabric sunshades on the tall, highly glazed west elevation reduce solar heat gain and glare from late afternoon sunlight, while providing cool, diffused daylighting to the interior. The sunshades colorful graphics and dynamic trapezoidal shape provide a fun and inviting character to the branch. The site stormwater management needs are integrated into the landscape design with bioretention basins that are planted with native grasses. The sustainable design of the branch thoughtfully integrates Summit’s commitment to the triple bottom-line of community, environmental and economic stewardship.

As a member-owned cooperative, Summit Credit Union believes they have a responsibility to do what is best for its members, and collectively be good citizens of the community. The unique design and architecture of the Summit Credit Union Monona Branch clearly represents the credit union’s mission and vision into the future.



Nord Gear

Nord drive system building
Nord Systems

OBJECTIVE:

Expansion Action

NORD Gear Corporation is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of drive technology for mechanical and electronic solutions. The company is ISO 9000 certified and implements the latest lean manufacturing processes.

NORD Gear is passionate about exceeding customer expectations–it’s a primary tenant of their brand.  Our objective was to empower them to respond quickly to the needs and specifications of customers anywhere in the world and do so within a facility that their skilled assemblers and expert engineering team enjoy working in. Efficiency and flexibility were essential factors in designing NORD Gear’s expansion.

SOLUTION:

Increased Efficiency

Based upon our designs and Strang’s Design Synchronicity project management process, Strang was engaged to partner with NORD Gear and design their current expansion of its North American headquarters located in Waunakee, Wisconsin. This is their main hub of operations in the United States. The multi-phased project was completed without interruption to NORD Gear’s ongoing daily operations. This 90,000 SF expansion of NORD Gear’s manufacturing space allowed for increased rotor production capabilities and brought its machining department up to date to meet industry standards and customer expectations.

A key component of this project is the state-of-the-art overhead material handling system which helps to ensure safe, efficient, and highly productive movement of drive and electronic components throughout the facility. In addition, this system streamlined the loading and unloading process within the newly designed interior loading dock facility. Strang’s design added locker rooms, a break room, and a training room to double NORD Gear’s existing capacity.

With the building expansion recently complete, NORD Gear now has additional space to allow for assembly, testing, and service of the large industrial gearboxes. The local assembly also allows for faster product delivery and more product flexibility.

NORD Gear is a model example of how Strang’s client-centered project development approach involves key owner stakeholders, contractors, and brand guidelines to achieve optimal results across the board. 

Gebhardt Building

Gebhardt Building
Gebhardt Building

OBJECTIVE:

Tale of Two Buildings

The Gebhardt Building, an eight-story mixed-use high-rise in Madison’s emerging East Washington gateway, is really the story of two buildings: The Gebhardt and The Sylvee. The integration of these two buildings on a single site creates not only an iconic performance venue and a public destination, but also provides a mix of retail and office spaces that help support the dense urban fabric of Madison’s isthmus.

This building is a unique design, housing both office space and a music performance venue for Frank Productions. We worked closely with the client to bring out the best of the entertainment space without impacting the quality of the offices.

SOLUTION:

Regional Redevelopment

The north side of the eight-story high-rise includes 125,000 SF of retail and commercial office space, including Strang’s new Madison office. The building’s south side features The Sylvee, Frank Productions’ new 2,500-person music venue. This 45,000-SF space features VIP suites and is a great addition to the exciting and dynamic music culture of Madison. This project’s mixed-use urban redevelopment is a part of the resurgence of the Capitol East District corridor, long in need of an economic boost.

Sylvee Stage during a concert

The Gebhardt building, itself, is primarily an office tower, implementing both materials and forms similar to the surrounding buildings, thereby integrating itself into the fabric of the neighborhood. Ample glazing throughout, especially on the upper four floors of the tower, allows tenants equal access to daylight and views. Many floors enjoy views of both Madison lakes, owing to the unique geography of the isthmus. The first generation of tenants includes many iconic brands, increasing the vibrancy of the neighborhood. This space integrates international brands, like Google and Spaces co-working, with local icons, such as Frank Productions and the Vintage Brewery. Both the general contractor and the design firm (Strang) responsible for the core-and-shell design and construction of the development are also located in the building. The retail functions on the first floor ensure street-level activation throughout the day and into the night.

The result of this creative collaboration between multiple ownership groups and the design team is a unique mixed-use tower that not only vitalizes Madison’s Isthmus through office and retail uses but also provides a musical venue specifically designed for memorable experiences for both artist and patron, alike.

American Family East Regional Building (ERB)

American Family East Regional Building (ERB)
American Family East Regional Building (ERB)

Awards

USGBC Sustainability Award Nomination

Award of Merit

2020

LEED gold

2019

OBJECTIVE:

Rigorous Renovation

Strang’s work on American Family Insurance’s East Regional Building (ERB) was part of a four-year project based on a 20-year infrastructure improvement plan and 285,000 SF renovation. The largest obstacle in this project was the rigorous schedule which resulted in continuous use of the facility and nearly zero downtime of departments as the renovation progressed. The building accounts for around 850 people with anticipated growth to 1000 people and was seeking to update and renovate its systems to prepare for this expansion.

SOLUTION:

Designing Efficiency

The HVAC scope of this project included a complete replacement of all four main air handling units serving the office and cafeteria. The new air distribution greatly improved upon the IAQ and thermal comfort. HVAC design also included partial ventilation energy recovery and demand control ventilation strategies. This contributed toward energy cost reduction over the 30% baseline and maximized 10 LEED EA 1.3 credits. Commissioning was completed following the 15 phases of renovations as portions of the project were updated. This project has successfully achieved LEED Gold certification.

The existing gas-fired, hot water boiler plant was retrofitted with new high efficiency condensing dual fuel boilers. Strang also converted the building controls to the American Family Johnson Controls network, transitioning the existing chiller plant controls from the obsolete control system. Finally, the ERB required the replacement of all windows to increase energy efficiency. With Strang’s help, this multi-functional office and training space is now optimized for efficiency.

American Family BL2 Renovation

American Family BL2 Building
American Family BL2 Building

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.

American Family BL2 Building

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.

The Agora at Fitchburg Town Center

The Agora at Fitchburg Town Center
The Agora at Fitchburg Town Center

Awards

American Society of Interior Design (ASID)

Office/Corporate over 25,000 s.f. - Silver

2008

Association of Licensed Architects (ALA)

Commercial

2008

International Interior Design Association (IIDA) WI Awards

Office over 25,000 s.f. First Place

2008

Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment Award

2005

OBJECTIVE:

Public Space, Community Commitment

The Agora at Fitchburg Center is an 84,000 SF mixed-use development—located in the heart of Fitchburg Center—surrounded by more than 400 acres of prairie, forest, and wetlands. The 84,000 square foot project is comprised of three buildings linked by skyways and includes an underground parking facility. The building houses administrative offices for a biopharmaceutical company, with retail spaces on the first floor of the two flanking buildings.

The overall goal of this project was to create a building that resonates with its surrounding nature and easily adapts to the passage of time. This project served as a commitment to enhancing the quality of the public realm, doing good for the community, and giving spaces and facilities over to the public.

SOLUTION:

Public Prairie

This project served to create an entire series of spaces—courtyards, amphitheaters, terraces—that come together to enhance human interaction within the prairie. As a public space, The Agora hosts events like a weekly farmer’s market, concerts, and parking which are predominantly located underground. This helps free up the design to truly relate to the landscape. A multi-use “piazza” functions both as a parking area as well as an outdoor gathering space.

The restored prairie is the true centerpiece of the entire project conceived as the “Town Green” for the City of Fitchburg. The Prairie Swale winds through the middle of the entire Agora development, integrating the surrounding nature into people’s experience.

The uniqueness of the site created a project with two fronts: an urban, retail front with a gallery on East Cheryl Parkway and an organic front on the prairie that takes advantage of the natural landscape. The three buildings—long in the east-west direction to maximize the benefits of solar orientation—are staggered with respect to one another and connected by stone arched bridges to create framed views of the landscape.

Classic materials including clay-tile roofs, cedar siding, expansive windows, copper elements, and extensive stone masonry were used to construct the buildings. Interior finishes were contained within a simple, natural pallet of materials and colors. Natural finish figured maple and walnut, stone, tile, glass, and just two shades of off-white paint were used to form the backdrop to the owner’s eclectic collection of furnishings and artwork. Careful attention to detail and material transitions transformed these very simple materials into extraordinary design elements. 

The Agora at Fitchburg Town Center

The Town Green

With this project’s emphasis on nature and the surrounding landscape, sustainability was a key element of Strang’s design. Green building applications used in this project include:

  • Public transportation access and bicycle storage
  • On-site walking trails
  • Underground parking to preserve open space
  • Stormwater reductions and treatment
  • Heat island and light pollution reductions
  • Native plants to eliminate the need for irrigation
  • Optimized energy performance
  • Measurement and verification of energy performance
  • 100-year exterior materials
  • Use of local/regional materials
  • Renewable materials
  • Low emitting materials (adhesives, paints, carpet, composite wood)
  • Daylighting and views
  • Solar shading overhangs

WEC Energy Group Chiller Replacement

electrical system
pipes

OBJECTIVE:

Operations Evaluation

Due to our extensive experience, Strang was asked to team with WEC Energy Group to evaluate their existing facilities and operations. These ongoing facility conditions assessments, focused primarily on renovating their mechanical and electrical systems. This included existing operational conditions, inspecting code compliance, health, safety, and life cycle stages. The recommendations from the assessments are to be used for long-term planning, maintenance, and replacement of systems and facilities.

Specific focus for WEC has been placed on the following: assessing existing engineered system conditions and maintainability for major utility facilities; assessing monitoring and controllability of mechanical systems; identifying recommendations for life-cycle performance retrofit opportunities; and prioritizing deficiencies and estimated repair costs. Lastly, due to an aging and inefficient chilled water plant serving WEC’s 428,000+ SF headquarters office building, Strang identified their cooling equipment was in desperate need of replacement.

SOLUTION:

Chiller Replacement

Strang engineered a solution to replace the chilled water plant which included two, 300-ton, water-cooled centrifugal chillers and an indoor cooling tower. A primary/secondary piping arrangement was modified to maximize energy efficiency.

The building automation system was also upgraded to allow for complete owner control. Control valves on the indoor air handling units provide for the minimum flow requirements of the chillers. The integration of two air-cooled chillers for the colder months (when the cooling demand is not as significant) reduced overall energy consumption for WEC. This also allowed for better temperature control and equipment life expectancy by more closely matching the required cooling loads.

Vortex Optics Shooting Range

Vortex Optics Shooting Range
Vortex Optics Shooting Range

OBJECTIVE:

Room to Grow

Vortex Optics manufactures optical equipment for hunting, bird watching, wildlife watching, outdoor recreational sports, and law enforcement. Their products include binoculars, spotting scopes, rifle scopes, and other optic accessories.
Strang worked directly with Hoff Construction and Vortex Optics on the addition to Vortex Optic’s shooting range located in their Barneveld, Wisconsin headquarters. When Vortex outgrew its previous headquarters in Middleton, they relocated to Barneveld which offered plenty of room for future expansion.

This project provided a particular opportunity to take advantage of this available space and add more functional shooting range space and new support spaces to their facility. The original indoor shooting range was home to a 14-lane, 50-yard indoor range, and a 100-yard indoor range with seven shooting lanes. The addition serves to create an even more expansive experience for Vortex to test, train, and sell their products.

SOLUTION:

Strategic Expansion

Vortex’s 23,000 SF addition now houses two new indoor shooting ranges, a shoot house, a simulator room, offices, a conference room, and retail spaces. The new addition includes a 25-yard, 12-lane indoor range, and another with four lanes. It also features a 2,400 SF shoot house that will allow law enforcement to complete more tactical training.

Acoustical consideration was an essential factor in this project as it was important to reduce noise levels heard from the shooting ranges to the adjacent spaces.

Tilt-up concrete wall panels were used for the exterior of the building. The south side of the facility overlooks the Nature Conservancy’s nearly 1,000-acre Barneveld Prairie—an area that provides an optimal testing ground for spotting scopes, binoculars, range finders, and other Vortex products.

Strang also designed Vortex Optic’s original 33,000 SF building in 2016. Our continued design efforts on this campus are helping them to grow strategically with the future in mind.