Construction Process
Following several months of preparation, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery building took place on May 2, 2008.
To prepare the site for the new construction, eight varied buildings on the 1300 block of University Avenue, including the historic Rennebohm building, needed to be razed and removed. Champion Environmental Services, Inc., a Madison-based environmental remediation, demolition, and recycling contractor began work in March 2008 with only a six week window to take down the buildings before Terra Construction Co. of Madison began excavation.
According to George Austin, WARF's manager for the construction project, the construction team has recycled or reused 98% of the materials that made up the former block, surpassing its goal of 85% for material reuse.
The first phase of the construction process was completed in May 2009, when the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery building was "topped out," signaling the end of vertical construction.
The next part of the construction process focuses on the mechanical rough-ins – the plumbing, electricity, heating, venting and cooling systems. In addition, work will begin on enclosing the structure, including installation of the terra cotta and glass curtain wall on the exterior of the building.
The Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery building will be completed and ready for occupancy by the end of 2010.
'Topping Out' Ceremony
During May 2009, WARF and Morgridge Institute trustees and staff gathered to celebrate the “topping out” of the new Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery facility. View high-resolution photos that can be downloaded here.
Breakthrough Event
Watch the video of the groundbreaking and see why supporters think the institutes will pioneer research that truly makes a difference.
