2023 The Daily Reporter Top Projects Awards

The Daily Reporter honored Kraemer Brothers with four awards at the annual Top Projects awards banquet. Top Projects recognizes the top construction projects built in Wisconsin. Nominations were judged on a variety of criteria including overall impact to the community; challenges/obstacles overcome in building the project; scope/importance of the project; teamwork involved in turning over a successful project; and importance of the project, including any innovative building techniques. The projects awarded at the banquet include Usona Institute Campus, Promega Kepler Center Addition & Renovation, Mill Creek Academy, and Sauk Prairie High School Addition & Renovation.

For more information about each project, make sure to check out each project portfolio!

Usona Institute Campus

Promega Corporation – Kepler Center

Mill Creek Academy

Sauk Prairie School District

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 – Kepler Center

Promega Corporation – Feynman Center

Since our first project in 2015, Kraemer Brothers and Klondike Cheese Company have partnered on over 14 projects. Our 15^th project starts this month. Consisting of a 4,900 square foot vertical expansion, this new addition will feature HR offices, conference rooms, records storage, and an open office with cubicles. When we constructed the first-floor locker room and break room addition six years ago, it was specifically designed for this expansion. Each end of the addition features staircases, one of them open and the other enclosed. Also included in this project is a silo alcove and pads for four additional silos. Klondike Cheese is a pioneer in Wisconsin’s signature dairy industry and has embarked a massive expansion plan in the past decade. Future building projects include a dry storage warehouse, renovating their existing plant, and adding administrative and production space.

St. Joseph Catholic Church

RELIGIOUS PORTFOLIO

St. Joseph Catholic Church & School

Baraboo, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Architectural Design Consultants Inc.

Square Footage

9,100 Addition
20,350 Renovation

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL

Addition & Renovation

It is not often a masonry crew has the opportunity to create something new, yet historically accurate. Kraemer Brothers masons did just this when given the job of matching the exterior stonework of the 100-year-old St. Joseph Catholic Church in Baraboo as part of a 9,100 square foot addition and 6,650 square foot remodeling project. After searching several Wisconsin quarries, the stone was found. Our masons masterfully executed the church’s mortar rope jointing, which matched the style of the century old church. The addition consisted of a new centralized entry, narthex, vesting sacristy, eucharistic chapel, reconciliation room, gathering space, and a servery. Inside the existing church, the sacristy and day chapel were remodeled into seating and a choir area, while they old narthex was converted to a cry room. Decorative stained glass preserves the historic atmosphere and also provides an exciting update to the church.

Part of a goal to convert the existing school into a more energy-efficient building, Kraemer Brothers quickly got to work as soon as school was out for the summer, renovating 13,700 square feet of space. New unit ventilators were installed in the classrooms, and boilers and water pumps replaced the original equipment. Another signiﬁcant part of the project was an electrical upgrade. Afﬁliated with St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kraemer Brothers has had a long-standing relationship, starting with the original school in 1957 and continuing with numerous renovations and additions to the church and school over the years.

Our new client, Freshpack, has selected Kraemer Brothers to remodel their south plant. Measuring 11,300 square feet, the project will be split into two phases. The first phase, on the west wing of the building, includes demolishing existing walls, ceilings, and MEP systems and converting them into one large production room. The second phase, on the east wing, will consist of demolishing existing walls and removing the concrete floor slab as needed. A new stainless steel drainage system will be installed, and a concrete slab will be poured back into the demolished areas, enhancing an existing production room. Coolers on both wings will have select overhead doors removed and filled in. Insulated metal panels will line the walls, and epoxy flooring will be installed in each production room. Future phases consist of relocating the north wing of the building to another area on the property and replacing its current location with a 42,000 square foot, dry, cold, and finished goods storage addition. A new centralized employee entryway and administrative space will also be created in this addition. Freshpack is a custom packaging and cheese production company located in Monticello. Their custom packaging services include cutting & wrapping goods, converting the goods into a grated or crumbled state, and portion-controlled grab ‘n go snack kits. Their cheese production side focuses on blending dips and spreads.

Reedsburg Area Medical Center Nearly Enclosed

Our latest project at Reedsburg Area Medical Center is going up rapidly. Structural steel has finished up, and the exterior of the building is nearly enclosed. Roofing and concrete topping pours are starting this month. The installation of the exterior masonry veneer will begin in spring after the air and vapor barrier has been installed. This two-story clinic will feature over 50 exam rooms, provider offices, a community pharmacy, and shelled space for future build-outs. The primary clinic will focus on space for women’s health, diabetic care, primary care, rehabilitation, behavioral health, and walk-in care. Unique to this rural health clinic, the exam rooms feature a double-sided exam room, with one door leading to the patient hallway and the other to the care team workspace. Creating an inviting environment, entries to each corridor include wood paneling with stainless steel accents, graphics, and LED lighting. This primary clinic marks our 13th project for Reedsburg Area Medical Center over our 31-year relationship!

New Glarus Primary School Update

Our crews at New Glarus Elementary School are taking advantage of the mild weather in February. This project started in October with the earthwork finishing up in December. Just prior to the earthwork finishing, we started the foundations and interior structural pads. Currently, the exterior two-station gymnasium bearing walls are wrapping up with masons now focusing on the rest of the exterior walls and interior bearing walls. Structural steel is scheduled to start this month and continue throughout March. Comprised of brick and metal wall panels, the exterior of the building aims to match the existing structure. Next to the new centralized entry, storefront glass windows bring in ample daylight into the cafeteria. The addition is designed with all 4K – 2nd grade classrooms featuring exterior windows. Each grade has its own collaboration space and cubby lockers. Also included in the project are administrative offices, a speech therapy classroom, and mechanical penthouses.

2023 ABC Projects of Distinction Awards

ABC of Wisconsin honored Kraemer Brothers with four awards at the annaual Projects of Distinction Excellence in Construction awards banquet. The Projects of Distinction Awards recognizes construction projects that are built on merit and are judged by a panel of construction experts based on several criteria, including quality, owner satisfaction, unusual challenges, safety, and sustainability. The projects awarded at the banquet include Kickapoo Area School District Aquatics Renovation, Promega Alan Turing Center Addition & Renovation, Mill Creek Academy, and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Addition & Renovation.

For more information about each project, make sure to check out each project portfolio!

https://www.kraemerbrothers.com/portfolio/kickapoo-area-school-district-aquatics-facility-renovation/

Promega Corporation – Alan Turing Center

Mill Creek Academy

St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Addition & Renovation

Mill Creek Academy

EDUCATION PORTFOLIO

Mill creek academy

Waukesha, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Andrus Architecture

Square Footage

42,750

MILL CREEK ACADEMY

New Charter School

Mill Creek Academy, a tuition-free public charter school, is the first school built by National Heritage Academies in Wisconsin and the 101st developed by this nationwide organization. The building’s footprint is in the shape of an “H,” allowing natural light into each classroom. Hosting grades 4K through 8, this school features over 30 classrooms, student support areas, administrative spaces, and a large gymnasium in the middle. The classroom design supports Mill Creek Academy’s goal of small group instruction, independent learning practices, and one-on-one teaching. Lap siding accented by stone masonry creates the exterior façade, while cedar trusses and beams provide an inviting entrance to the school. Based on the traditional congestion associated with student drop-off and pick-up, Mill Creek Academy took an innovative approach by implementing multiple drop-off lanes and safe exchange areas, enabling staff to welcome students and parents during busy times. The water table was extremely high on the undeveloped land, so we constructed four bio-retention ponds to overcome this obstacle. As a nationwide charter school organization, we were thrilled to hear this was one of their best building experiences over the past 28 years!

Mount Horeb School District

New Glarus School District

From the Client

I strive to find the best local talent and craftsmen capable of completing our schools to the highest standards, within budget, and on schedule. Kraemer Brothers met all those requirements and exceeded my expectations. Regardless of the condition or location, no shortcuts were taken. From breaking ground to the last coat of paint, the jobsite was always clean and safe. Overall, the project sequencing, management, and execution delivered by Kraemer Brothers elevates the industry and sets a standard for others to strive to achieve.

Jacques Soumis
Construction Project Manager | National Heritage Academies

Great Wolf Resorts

HOSPITALITY PORTFOLIO

GREAT WOLF RESORTS

Scotrun, PA

Overview

ARCHITECT

Architectural Design Consultants, Inc.

Square Footage

617,000

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GREAT WOLF RESORTS

Hotel, Waterpark, and Restaurant

Nestled in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, Great Wolf Resorts selected Kraemer Brothers to renovate and expand this popular resort we originally built for them in 2004. This massive project included work in four areas—waterpark, lobby, hotel, and site. The indoor waterpark doubled in size, including seven new slides and an indoor/outdoor restaurant. Precast concrete panels, EIFS, clerestory windows, and stone veneer make up the addition’s exterior, while glulam beams, wood decking, and painted murals provide a joyful atmosphere inside the waterpark. A ﬁve-phase project transformed the existing lobby and registration into a new grand lobby. Two restaurants elevate guests’ dining experience with a casual yet elegant combination. An expansion to the Northern Lights Arcade and event space now provides entertainment for both kids and adults. The porte cochère was widened, now creating four drive lanes for travelers arriving at the resort. The seven-story Mountain Tower includes 202 suites with four different layouts to accommodate families of all sizes and ages.

The hotel bathrooms were constructed off-site in prefabricated pods, complete with ﬂooring, wallcoverings, and ﬁxtures. The pods simply needed to be placed and connected. This method contributed to a cleaner and safer work environment, helped reduce labor, materials, waste, and costs, and increased speed to occupancy. Fiber cement siding, large windows, and stone cover the exterior of the additions, creating a rustic look that complements the existing design. We ﬁrst completed ﬂoors one through four in the hotel tower, allowing Great Wolf to occupy those spaces while we ﬁnished the above three ﬂoors. The massive sitework included adding over 450 parking stalls, relocating a ropes course, and managing stormwater on this mountainous site. Kraemer Brothers overcame great adversity with unforeseen rock excavation, concrete supply issues, and long material lead times. With four projects occurring simultaneously, we provided phasing plans, installed temporary partition walls, and updated schedules in real time, allowing our client to remain operational with over 90% occupancy throughout construction! In combination of the initial construction in 2004, and the recently finished 2023 project, this Kraemer Brothers has constructed over 617,000 square feet and 603 suites at this location.

Kraemer Brothers has also constructed projects for Great Wolf in Lake Delton, WI and Concord, NC.

OUR COMPANY

OUR APPROACHES

2023 The Daily Reporter Top Projects Awards

Usona Institute Campus

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO

Usona institute CAMPUS

Madison, WI

Overview

USONA INSTITUTE CAMPUS

Therapeutic, Administrative, and Education Facility

Promega Corporation – Kepler Center

Promega Corporation – Feynman Center

Klondike Cheese Company Starts Another Project

St. Joseph Catholic Church

RELIGIOUS PORTFOLIO

St. Joseph Catholic Church & School

Baraboo, WI

Overview

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL

Freshpack South Plant Renovation Starting Up

Reedsburg Area Medical Center Nearly Enclosed

New Glarus Primary School Update

2023 ABC Projects of Distinction Awards

Mill Creek Academy

EDUCATION PORTFOLIO

Mill creek academy

Waukesha, WI

Overview

MILL CREEK ACADEMY

Mount Horeb School District

New Glarus School District

From the Client

Great Wolf Resorts

HOSPITALITY PORTFOLIO

GREAT WOLF RESORTS

Scotrun, PA

Overview

GREAT WOLF RESORTS

AC by Marriott

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