Two Kraus-Anderson Projects Earn AGC Build WI Awards

The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Wisconsin, the leading professional trade association for the commercial construction industry in Wisconsin, announced its 2021 BUILD Wisconsin Awards winners. The awards recognize and celebrate the innovation and delivery of iconic projects from across the state. Projects were evaluated based on craftsmanship, meeting difficult challenges, community impact, and sustainability. Two Kraus-Anderson projects, Landmark by the Rivers and the Strang Architects office buildout, were honored at this year’s event.

Landmark by the Rivers

The historic Landmark by the Rivers renovation project transformed the former La Crosse Plow Company, listed on the National Parks Service’s National Register of Historic Places, into a new, mixed-use development within walking distance of shopping and restaurants, riverfront parks and bike paths in the core of downtown La Crosse. Phase one included rehabilitation to the existing buildings, followed by the build-out of 64 luxurious, spacious and sunny residential units in phase two. The first floor houses the majority of the 54,400 square feet of mixed-use commercial space.

The top two floors are made up of market-rate one- and two-bedroom units, including 20 one-bedroom apartments, 11 one-bedroom apartments with a den, and 33 two-bedroom apartments. The foundry portion of the building, built in 1909, serves as parking for residents. Community spaces include a TV room, business center and meeting rooms, as well as a fitness center and rooftop clubhouse and patio grilling area. Skylights flood the interior spaces with natural light. Historic materials and structural systems were preserved and restored to maintain the unique industrial architectural character.

Strang Architects

Kraus-Anderson worked closely with Strang Architects to renovate and expand its Madison, Wisconsin headquarters. The 9,000-square-foot build out consisted of an upgraded reception area, conference rooms, work cafe, design lab, work room and open office areas. The amenity-rich workspace offers a renovated kitchen, as well as high-tech collaboration spaces for employees to gather. The tenant improvement project was completed in under three months, and provided a unique and modern work place for employees at Strang Architects.

Strang’s tenant buildout prioritized sustainability, and the buildout was guided by principles of both WELL Building and LEED certification. The project achieved LEED Gold certification and became the first WELL Gold Certified project in the state of Wisconsin. Indoor air quality, which has been linked to higher cognitive function, was a top priority when designing the space. Elements such as a lighting control system to boost light during morning hours and taper off later in the day, which aligns with the natural circadian rhythm of the body, were implemented to WELL standards that emphasize employee wellness.