Wisconsin Builder | Top Projects of 2002

Home Run

New headquarters showcases Findorff's work

J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. Headquarters Madison

By Jeremy Harrell

Most, if not all, contractors would say that every building they work on is equally special, but some buildings are more equally special than others.

That's certainly true for J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., which last year completed its $5.8 million headquarters overlooking Lake Monona in downtown Madison. From the rusticated stone base to the interior concrete pillars that intentionally poke out in spots, the structure is designed to showcase the work that Findorff performs - from concrete and masonry to carpentry and steel.

"They're examples of what Findorff does," said Kent Genter, the company's project manager. "It's tucked in little places. You have to look for them, but it's tasteful. It's not just that this is our building. (Quality) is something we provide in all our buildings, not just our own."

The design required project architect Potter Lawson Inc., Madison, to plan each material in detail, since light would shine on things not normally seen, said Douglas Hursh, project architect with Potter Lawson. And gigantic windows facing south guarantee that the structural elements get some airtime.

"We would prefer a building where you could expose the structure because you see what's holding the building up," Hursh said. "It makes it more exposed because that work has to be done well and finished well. It's more difficult in the details."

Short move

The new headquarters replaces Findorff's former central office, located just a few feet away. Surrounding the site are old brick warehouses - some of which Findorff once used to store its equipment and materials. Genter said the company wanted to stay in the same place, although that meant taking down some old buildings and cutting through heavy concrete slabs to establish a foundation.

Staying put also afforded the designers an opportunity to extract historical architectural accents from its environment, Hursh said. The result is a tightly fitted, rectangular building that's sensitive to its neighborhood.

Large metal poles prop up the roof, opening the main southern walls to generous amounts of light. On the inside, the building's main area features a two-floor vaulted ceiling, with offices clustered in tiers according to teams. Still, Hursh said he designed the building so interaction among the various areas would be easy and natural.

Project Name: J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. Headquarters
Location: Madison
Submitting Company: Potter Lawson Inc., Madison
General Contractor: J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., Madison
Architect: Potter Lawson Inc., Madison
Engineer: Arnold & O'Sheridan Inc., Madison
Owner: J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., Madison
Project Cost: $5.8 million
Start Date: December 2000
Completion Date: February 2002

The building's main entrance area fronts on two different streets to emphasize its urban setting, he said. The atrium's floor is composed of Jerusalem stone, a shiny, though durable, material that gives the space an inspiring feeling.

As its name would imply, the stone comes from Jerusalem, which proved to be a touchy enterprise since Findorff ordered the material around the same time as the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Genter said.

"I was sweating bullets," he said, adding that Findorff allowed enough lead time to get the stone in place on schedule.

While the structural elements are visible, Findorff worked with General Heating and Air Conditioning Inc., Madison, on a design/build contract to hide the mechanical systems. With all the pieces in place, the headquarters is a unified space that has drawn applause from clients and visitors.

"We've gotten comments like, 'Wow, we love your building,'" Genter said. "I think they like what we did, which means we achieved our goal."

| Editor's Note | Top Projects | Main |
| Special Sections Main | DailyReporter.com |