Building on tradition

Project team meets Potawatomi's needs

By Janine Anderson

The Forest County Potawatomi wanted more than a building.

The American Indian tribe wanted something that would reflect and respect its heritage while giving the community a central home. It also needed a building that would provide space for different tribal departments to come together.

The design and construction challenge for project architect Engberg Anderson Design Partnership Inc. and general contractor Miron Construction Co. Inc. was to meet each of those requirements.

"A big part was all these functional needs had been spread out in a lot of not very nice facilities," said Bill Williams, a partner with Engberg Anderson. "Once they decided they wanted to [bring them together], they thought it should become a signature building for the tribe.

"They wanted it to represent the tribe but let everyone know they're looking forward."

The design team incorporated shapes and materials that held special significance to the tribe, but they were used in contemporary ways. Cedar wood was employed throughout the building, communal spaces are designed around circles, and huge timbers in the rotunda echo the shape of a teepee.

	Project Name: Forest County Potawatomi Executive Building Location: Crandon Submitting Companies: Engberg Anderson Design Partnership Inc., Milwaukee; Miron Construction Co. Inc., Neenah General Contractor: Miron Construction Co. Inc. Project Leaders: Paul Auer, Miron's project manager; Jack Brayton, Miron's on-site superintendent; William Robison, Engberg's team leader; Alex Santos, Miron's senior project manager; Julie Strojny, Engberg's interior designer; Jamie Wanek, Engberg's project architect; William Williams, Engberg's partner in charge Architect: Engberg Anderson Design Partnership Inc. Engineers: Coleman Engineering Co., Iron Mountain, Mich., civil engineer; Harwood Engineering Consultants, Milwaukee, structural, electrical, plumbing, HVAC engineer Owner: Forest County Potawatomi Community, Crandon Project Cost: $8.1 million Project Size: 45,000 square feet Start Date: September 2005 Completion Date: August 2006

"They wanted it to be respectful of their traditions but not simply a monument to their past," Williams said.

Paul Auer, Miron's project manager, said the design presented some specific challenges. The 40-foot timbers in the rotunda and the large wooden beams in the auditorium were difficult to find and to get on site on time.

Installation presented another set of challenges altogether. The huge timbers in the rotunda were dropped in through the roof with a crane once the building's steel structure was in place, and the skylight at the top of the teepee shape was installed last.

In the circular auditorium, the construction team faced another tricky maneuver. Wood beams were installed connecting columns on the outside of the circle with a ring suspended from the ceiling in the center.

"There just wasn't a lot of room to do it," Auer said. "We tried a couple different methods. We hooked the beams to a joist and had to try to balance it and get it to fit."

The end effect is spectacular, Williams said, with the materials and design coming together to create a space for the tribe to conduct its business - from voting on gaming contracts to looking at health plans.

"It's the symbolic center for the tribe," he said. "The circle was chosen specifically for that. Everyone is equal. No one is more powerful than anyone else."