Usona Institute Campus

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO

Usona institute CAMPUS

Madison, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Ramlow/Stein Architecture + Interiors

Square Footage

107,300

USONA INSTITUTE CAMPUS

Therapeutic, Administrative, and Education Facility

Usona Institute is a medical research organization dedicated to furthering scientific understanding and therapeutic applications of psilocybin and other consciousness expanding medicines. After being selected to construct this world-class facility, we provided valuable pre-construction input into the design. This 100,000 square foot state-of-the-art therapeutic, administrative, and education facility balances sustainability and integrative wellness practices. Designed to optimize senses by controlling light and sound, this facility includes numerous treatment rooms, illuminated therapy pods, a hydrotherapy suite, and integration rooms. Inside and out, this facility fosters a connection to nature using primarily natural materials. A beautiful combination of glulam beams, cross-laminated timber panels, wood flooring, and custom hand-crafted woodwork can be found throughout the building. At the same time, the exterior utilizes old-growth cedar siding, fieldstone and limestone masonry, wood trim, clay-slate roofing, and a copper roof drainage system. We implemented measures to preserve specific tree species and age classes while repurposing cleared trees for benches and fireplace mantles in the atrium. Other sustainable features in this remarkable facility include heat recovery chillers, geothermal heating and cooling, electric vehicle chargers, ultra-energy efficient windows, permeable pavers, and a garden roof. Expecting to attract guests from all over the world, three residences totaling 7,300 square feet are also situated on the site, providing an option for overnight stays. Varying between two and five-bedroom units, these buildings feature the same exterior as the neighboring facility.

Promega Corporation – Alan Turing Center

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO

PROMEGA CORPORATION
Alan turing center

Madison, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Ramlow/Stein Architecture + Interiors

Square Footage

52,000 renovation
17,000 addition

PROMEGA CORPORATION NOBEL DRIVE

Renovation & Addition

Located across the street from Promega’s Kepler Center, Alan Turing Center accommodates the growing service lines of Promega including cell manufacturing, engineering, instrument manufacturing, and a variety of customer support service departments. Originally purchased as a multi-tenant office building, Kraemer Brothers was called in to renovate and expand the existing building, and we were excited for the challenge. Totaling 52,000 square feet of renovation, Kraemer Brothers remodeled close to the entire first floor and part of the second floor to include manufacturing production laboratories, refrigerated rooms, clean rooms, instrument production and warehousing. Existing individual offices have also been renovated to include a commons area, break-out spaces, conference rooms, a wellness room, and an open office with new carpeting, wallcoverings, fixtures, furnishings, and lighting. Two additions totaling 17,000 square feet will be used for high-bay warehousing, mechanical, and expanded instrument quality control. While the original building’s envelope was constructed with brick and EIFS facade, the building’s exterior shifted to Swisspearl Fiber Cement Panels from Switzerland. Different tones of red and gray panels were paired with large glass windows, which broadcasts a premium look to the building. Utilizing geothermal systems for heating and cooling, this building also features a water reuse system with UV-light monitoring, automatic lighting, energy efficient fixtures, and multiple electric vehicle chargers. To ensure Promega and the other tenants in the building were able to remain operational, Kraemer Brothers setup phasing plans to minimize impact to occupants and modified MEP systems to remain functional as needed.

From the Client

Promega decided to shift to a Swisspearl Fiber Cement panels from Switzerland for an upscale premium look. Kraemer Brothers was able to quickly shift to this new construction material with very little delay in the project. They guaranteed the continued operation of our company and the other tenants in the building. Kraemer Brothers construction team was able to maintain exceptional communication and set up phasing plants to minimize impact to occupants and modified MEP systems to remain functional as needed.

Eric Loucks
Director of Facilities | Promega Corporation

Connexus Credit Union

CORPORATE & OFFICE PORTFOLIO

Connexus Credit Union

DeForest, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Potter Lawson, Inc.

Square Footage

51,000

CONNEXUS CREDIT UNION

Corporate Headquarters

Formerly Heritage Credit Union’s corporate headquarters, this building boasts an awe-inspiring look. The contemporary design includes a stunning combination of architectural metal façade and glass, making this building very distinctive. Each floor steps outward from the floor below, forming a progressive cantilever effect as the building gets taller. 

Interior spaces creatively promote employee collaboration, with offices, meeting rooms and workstations all using interior glass for strong visual connection, yet allowing for privacy and separation as needed. All spaces are very bright and vibrant and energy efficient glass curtain walls were used on the entire exterior to provide maximum natural light inside the building. 

The HVAC system, lighting, controls and finishes were all selected for maximum energy efficiency. The aggressive schedule was achieved despite the pandemic and all its challenges which surfaced after construction had already begun. This allowed the owner to vacate their already-sold office building right on schedule. Heritage Credit Union has since merged with Connexus Credit Union and is now operating under the Connexus brand.

From the Client

Our project was completed on time and on budget! That is quite an accomplishment considering the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing while we were building. Using other contractors, only 2 of 12 previous construction projects have been on time and on budget. Kraemer Brothers is a well-run organization. We worked with the same team throughout the planning, budgeting, and construction process. They were effective communicators, responsive and professional. They were true partners throughout the process. They listened and went the extra mile to meet our needs. Kraemer Brothers was able to dissect the project and offer value engineering solutions to bring the cost down without significantly impacting the design. In closing, I recommend Kraemer Brothers without hesitation. My only regret is that we did not partner with them sooner.

Anita Rauch
CEO/PRESIDENT | Heritage Credit Union

UW Health Care Direct – Deming Way

HEALTHCARE PORTFOLIO

UW HEALTH CARE DIRECT - DEMING WAY

Middleton, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Potter Lawson, Inc.

Square Footage

34,000 Renovation; 19,000 Addition

UW HEALTH CARE DIRECT

Renovation & Addition

Our client was selected by UW Health Care Direct (formerly Chartwell Midwest Wisconsin) to convert an existing two story, secondary education building to their new company headquarters. Renovations to the site, building envelope and exterior cladding, as well as attractive interior renovations helped repurpose the existing portion of the building, creating offices, conference rooms, break rooms, lounges, training rooms, and bays for infusion services. The addition we constructed allowed Chartwell to improve their overall workflow by adding new cleanroom facilities to replace their outdated labs and equipment, meeting current standards for sterile compounding by pharmacies and providing needed space for future growth. Also included in the addition was loading docks, a shipping/receiving area, and a large warehouse for storing pharmaceutical contents and supplies. A cleanroom protocol program was implemented during this project which all Kraemer Brothers employees and subcontractors were required to follow, including always wearing booties and gown attire in the pharmacy and cleanroom. The facility now has state-of-the-art equipment to monitor airflow, temperature, and humidity, along with technology such as cameras in each clean room allowing observation of pharmacy technician work.

From the Client

Our clean rooms allow Chartwell to have full confidence in the integrity of our pharmacy compounding environment. Not only did Kraemer Brothers provide for our best-in-class facility, they did so on time and under budget. In fact, the project was so well managed, we were able to move personnel into the building several months ahead of schedule.

Donald Powell
President | Chartwell Midwest Wisconsin

Culver’s Headquarters

CORPORATE & OFFICE PORTFOLIO

CULVER'S HEADQUARTERS

Prairie du Sac, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Strang

Square Footage

36,000

CULVER'S HEADQUARTERS

Corporate Office

Culver’s new office and training center is located on a nine-acre site overlooking Lake Wisconsin and the Wisconsin River. The new 36,000 square foot facility consists of a reception area, private offices, cubicle/work group areas, library/resource areas, conference rooms, a large meeting space for 150 people, training center, full commercial kitchen and storage, lunch and break rooms, physical fitness area with lockers and shower rooms, computer server area, delivery dock and document storage. The two-story prairie style building draws inspiration from the landscape with the classic horizontal lines of the prairie accentuated by the structure’s meandering forms.

Fairway Independent Mortgage

CORPORATE & OFFICE PORTFOLIO

Fairway Independent Mortgage

Madison, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Excel Engineering, Inc.

Square Footage

96,000

FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE

Corporate Headquarters

Fairway Independent Mortgage’s new 96,000-square-foot office isn’t the typical office building. Features include innovative offices and conference rooms, fitness center, collaborative workspaces, break room with a pool table, outdoor patio, onsite massage therapy, and a pub with fireplace. The building is constructed from steel and glu-lam with a brick, glass, and panel exterior. On the interior, the contrast between the color tones and physical elements of stone, timber beams, and real mesquite hardwood floors provide a one-of-a kind modern, yet rustic look. The building was designed to allow for a future 55,000 square foot addition.

When it comes to green features, this building is supported by a geothermal field of 81 wells – sized for the current building and future addition. The team at Fairway went further in their commitment to sustainable energy by also directing the design team to create the largest solar array possible with the available roof area. The result is a system of photovoltaic panels covering 23,500 square feet that can generate 125 kWp. The photovoltaic system is connected to monitoring equipment, which allows the building occupants to see the electricity being generated on a real-time basis. The facility also has electric car charging stations.

From the Client

We can’t tell you how excited we were that you took ownership of glulam beams and simply made it work. As architects, we knew the geometry was possible, but we were not at all equipped to answer the questions of exactly how to make it happen in the field. Many contractors we work with would have simply thrown up their hands and told us it couldn’t be done. We commend you on the ownership, craftsmanship, and attitude you bring to a project. The glulams and all the finish carpentry was of a custom home quality, executed on a commercial scale.

Johnathan Brinkley
Architect | Excel Engineering

Promega Corporation – Agora Center

CORPORATE & OFFICE PORTFOLIO

PROMEGA CORPORATION AGORA CENTER

Fitchburg, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Strang

Square Footage

86,000

AGORA CENTER

Office & Mixed Use

Truly a one-of-a-kind building, the 86,000-square-foot Agora Town Center features many awe-inspiring craftsmanship details rarely seen in buildings. Starting in the lobby, the interiors are trimmed out with exquisite walnut and maple, with custom-made trellises, credenzas, casework, and a grand staircase. The buildings’ exterior features almost 30,000 linear feet of cedar trim, natural stone turrets, arched walkways, bridges, and pillars. Using selective natural stone from a Wisconsin quarry, Kraemer Brothers’ masons duplicated a unique style of construction seen in Europe and Asia where the custom-blend stones (now known as Fitchburg Stone) appear to have no mortar joints, however, feature the same strength and sturdiness of conventional stone and mortar construction. Over 30,000 pounds of copper cover the project in the form of gutters, downspouts, and flashing, giving off a golden glint when the sun hits the building trim. Deep over-hanging roofs to the south save energy by reducing heat gain while high performance clear glass has superior insulation values while staying true to the designer’s intent to combine “mass with transparency.” A feature of the project not-so-obvious is the 244-stall underground parking facility. Utilizing underground parking, Promega limits the impact it has on the environment and preserves the surrounding prairie swale to the north of the building. Above, three two-story buildings contain 22,000 square feet of retail space and 64,000 square feet of commercial office space, the majority of which is Promega Corporation’s administrative home. Continuing our relationship, Kraemer Brothers returned in 2017 to construct the Perennial Yoga Studio and Surya café in this facility.

Wind River Payments

CORPORATE & OFFICE PORTFOLIO

WIND RIVER Payments

Madison, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Gary Brink & Associates, Inc.

Square Footage

10,500

WIND RIVER PAYMENTS

Financial Headquarters

Wind River Payments story exemplars the American dream. Originally renting space from a developer in the American Center, Wind River Payments doubled their square footage, building in that same business park on Madison’s East Side. From the start, this project was a perfect fit; Wind River Payments, a credit card processing firm, is also a family-owned business based on core principles of relationship, trust, and service. Now standing next to giants like American Family Insurance, Alliant Energy, UW-Hospital, and Fairway Independent Mortgage, their dream became a reality. The new 10,500 square foot headquarters is designed to re-create a sense of outdoors and improve employee experiences. The focal point of the building, the glulam timber beams and wood decking, adorn the exterior of the main entrance and are visible as open, vaulted ceilings that are seen from interior working spaces. An open cubical workspace is surrounded by private offices and the employee break room features partition dividers, allowing the room to be utilized as a large conference room or separated into multiple meeting rooms. A wooden trellis framing system overhangs an exterior patio while the site boasts an employee garden, natural prairie grass, and walking trails that tie into the park-wide walking path. Built to house Wind River’s 35 employees, the design allows for expansion of both the building and parking lot to accommodate future growth.

From the Client

They continue to be fair and perform their work in a timely and professional fashion and have met their schedules on most every occasion. As a company from the dop down, they continue to work hard and strive to provide the best quality and service possible. Their team of administrators, project managers, and superintendents are focused and experienced in every aspect of their projects and are carefully managed to ensure a smooth and positive workflow.

Jeffrey Brenkus
President | Gary Brink & Associates, Inc.

Promega Corporation – Feynman Center

CORPORATE & OFFICE PORTFOLIO

promega Corporation FEYNMAN CENTER

Fitchburg, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Uihlein Wilson Architects; EwingCole

Square Footage

306,000

FEYNMAN CENTER

Office Building & cGMP Facility

Since 1988, we’ve partnered steadily with Promega, helping them create many timeless buildings on their Fitchburg campus. Many see this new cGMP manufacturing facility as the crowning achievement of Kraemer Brothers’ 25-year relationship. Working in tandem with internationally accredited design and engineering partners, our award-winning construction crews made sure the 306,000-square-foot building and 300 car parking structure were built with exceptional devotion to detail. The mechanical, electrical and process systems are among the most sophisticated ever constructed in Wisconsin. Utilizing 63 geothermal wells and a large solar array, these sustainable energy sources heat and cool the building while also supplementing domestic hot water demand. Glulam beams, CLT panels, architectural woodwork, and a living plant wall provide an inviting atmosphere in the client center, while elaborate MEP systems power the cGMP facility. Focusing on manufacturing, quality testing, and research & development, this building offers flexibility and growth for future build-outs, remodels, and renovations.  This unique facility features stunning exterior masonry and glazing systems and high quality interior finishes in this world-class architectural gem.