The Daily Reporter – WI Construction News & Bids Wisconsin's Construction Authority
Ground was broken this week for the new Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend. The museum's new building will be constructed on a 1.5-acre site at 205 Veterans Ave. in West Bend. (Rendering courtesy of the Museum of Wisconsin Art)
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After several years of planning and fundraising, groundbreaking for the new Museum of Wisconsin Art took place this week.
The green-roof building of modern design was developed by architects from Hammel Green & Abrahamson Inc., Milwaukee, and is being constructed by M.A. Mortenson Co.’s Brookfield office. The 30,700-square-foot, two-story building is being constructed on a 1.5-acre site at 205 Veterans Ave. in West Bend.
The building was designed as an energy-efficient structure, and features high-efficiency glass, radiant heat flooring and rain gardens. The modern design shows a glass curtain wall along the first floor west facade, a two-story windowed lobby at the south entrance and a glass-enclosed stairwell atrium on the building’s north end.
The exterior is clad in special cement panels of four shades of white. The shape is a sliver-design, very sleek and narrow. Really, the building is an outstanding example for public architecture, and is sure to achieve landmark status.
Construction is estimated at about $9.2 million, and will take nine months to build. When finished, the new museum will create 2-1/2 times more exhibition space than the current 19,000-square-foot art museum.
The old museum on Sixth Street will be sold once new construction is complete.
The museum will exclusively feature works from Wisconsin artists.
Keith Barber is a data reporter at The Daily Reporter. He can be reached at 414-225-1821.
