Wauwatosa, WI — Patients and visitors to Froedtert Hospital will find parking easier and more pleasant with the grand opening of a new six-level, 2274-space Froedtert Hospital Parking – Blue structure. The new garage, which boasts a glass-enclosed design and modern parking management technology, elevates the parking experience while introducing a new architectural landmark at Froedtert Hospital, home of the region’s only adult Level I Trauma Center.
“We designed this parking structure to feel like a destination, a meaningful arrival point that extends Froedtert Hospital’s commitment to patients from the first moment they enter the campus,” said David Groth, senior design architect and associate at EUA. “It needed to function at a very high level, but it also had to embody the hospital’s values of transparency, extraordinary care, and connection to the community. Our goal was to make a parking garage that felt light, open, and part of the campus architecture.”
The glass reflects the sky and neighboring structures, allowing the appearance to subtly shift throughout the day as weather conditions and lighting change.
The key element of the Froedtert Hospital Parking – Blue structure is Bendheim Glass’ ventilated glass rainscreen system, which serves as a second skin to transform the garage from purely functional infrastructure into a daylighted, durable, and striking component of the hospital campus. Bendheim designed and fabricated a custom glass and compression clip system to fasten the façade to the building. The custom ventilated glass system created a design statement as it eliminated the need for a costly steel substructure that would normally support the façade.
“The glass not only gives the building a light, refined appearance, but it also allows air and daylight to flow naturally through the garage,” according to Said Elieh, vice president of innovation for Bendheim Glass. “It creates a better user experience while at the same time providing ventilation, energy efficiency, and enhanced safety and security.”
Ventilated glass parking façades reduce or eliminate the need for mechanical ventilation systems, thereby lowering operating energy costs while preserving natural light. Glass façades also reduce the amount of steel and other materials required in garage designs, significantly cutting construction times, promoting sustainability, and providing substantial construction and maintenance savings.
“Bendheim’s custom glass and compression clip system provided an incredibly fast installation,” said Groth. “Installation of the entire glass façade took just a fraction of the time that traditional installation approaches typically take.”
The Froedtert Hospital Parking – Blue structure also boasts a suite of advanced parking technology and safety systems designed to provide a more convenient and safer parking experience, including:
- Parking guidance technology monitors space availability and provides real-time availability information via LED signage on each floor.
- An access control system on the lower-level gives added security to the team member parking level.
- A snow-melting system on the roof facilitates snow removal and avoids hauling snow off-site.
- A robust security network of cameras, emergency call boxes, and a staffed security station provides continuous monitoring and patrols.
Safety was also addressed through passive design strategies. Extended parapets and a subtly integrated rooftop fencing system provide fall protection without detracting from the building’s visual integrity.
About EUA
EUA is an integrated architecture, engineering and design firm based in Milwaukee, with offices in Madison, Green Bay, Denver, and Atlanta. The respected 119-year-old firm designs environments that elevate people’s potential, with expertise across the advanced manufacturing + industrial, community, healthcare, learning, living, science + technology, and workplace markets. For additional information, please visit eua.com.
About Bendheim Glass
Bendheim is one of the world’s foremost resources for specialty architectural glass. Founded in New York City in 1927, the family-owned company offers a virtually unlimited range of customizable glass solutions for interior and exterior building applications. Through its commitment to Building a Clear Future, Bendheim is actively engaged in promoting sustainable practices in architecture and design. Bendheim develops, fabricates, and distributes its products worldwide. The company maintains production facilities in New Jersey and a design lab in New York City. For additional information, please visit Bendheim.com.
About Froedtert Hospital
Froedtert Hospital, the academic medical center of the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network, has 776 beds and is a leading referral resource for advanced medical care. Froedtert Hospital operates the region’s only adult Level I Trauma Center. The primary adult teaching affiliate of MCW, Froedtert Hospital is a major training facility for medical, nursing and health technical students. It is also a respected research center, participating in nearly 2,000 research studies — including clinical trials — every year. Froedtert Hospital is located on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus. Froedtert Hospital is part of Froedtert ThedaCare, Wisconsin’s most comprehensive health care system.