Madison College is a public technical and community college based in Madison, Wisconsin, offering top career training in many fields, including Interior Design and Architectural Technology. As designers working in an integrated firm, we were honored to design a new space that brings together these two separate departments. Through the design of this space, we worked closely with the faculty to create not only a space, but also a new culture of collaboration between two historically disconnected units, and then built on that concept further to provide a unique and inspiring environment for students to learn and discover.

Presenter: 

Drew Martin, AIA, Strang Inc.

Details:

• Lunch is included
• Location: Architectural Technologies/Interior design suite, 3rd floor at Madison College Truax Main Building (far east end of 3rd floor).

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate the integration of "pin-up" surfaces as primary interior finishes to cultivate a collaborative community: Discuss how transforming vertical surfaces into functional display zones turns transitional corridors into active learning labs and reinforces a transparent studio "culture of critique."
• Analyze the evolution of project programming from department-specific needs to a unified interdisciplinary suite: Trace the pre-design shift from separate locations to a centralized, combined hub. Identify how this "shared-core" model improves resource efficiency and mimics modern integrated professional practice.
• Assess the use of established standards and feature elements to foster a professional brand identity within an institutional setting: Explore the careful balance of working within the parameters of the "Madison College palette" while also creating a destination suite that elevates the department's profile within the college, and creates a sophisticated, "firm-like" atmosphere for students.
• Apply the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) to optimize accessibility upgrades in multi-floor renovations: Examine the strategies used to address primary use accessibility in very large existing buildings, minimizing cost impact and construction disturbances while incrementally improving compliance.