Wisconsin Skywalk Children’s Building
Milwaukee
Merit Award
Sent by: Boldt
Owner: Childish Wisconsin
Main design company: CannonDesign
General contractor: Boldt
Civil/structural engineer: ACCOUNT
MEP Engineer: Ring & DuChateau
Subcontractors: Arbon Equipment Corp.; ArchKey Solutions; Automated logic; Wisconsin Auto Tickets; Breezy Hill Landscaping
The team built a main entrance and two-story addition to an active hospital, completing the 155,000-square-foot project earlier and under budget. The building houses a level 1 emergency and trauma center, a pediatric and neonatal transport center, a pharmacy and space for future development.
Before work began, the contractor established measures to keep the hospital running while ensuring safety remained at the forefront of every decision. Going into construction, Boldt used a non-destructive hydrovac excavation system for foundation work on the Skywalk building’s entrance deck. Excavating within inches of the facility’s current front door and existing steam, electrical and water services, the work required additional safety precautions.
The project resulted in a tie-in to the existing building, limiting the time and impact on the ongoing operations of the hospital. An integrated project delivery method ensured continuous communication during design, manufacturing and construction, which increased efficiency. A heat recovery chiller reduces energy consumption and provides annual savings in operating costs.
Energy simulations, thermal modeling and third-party commissioning optimized the envelope design, reducing HVAC loads and improving temperature control, airflow regulation and humidity control for improve the comfort of people in the building and reduce energy costs.
