The facade of the Moderne, a 30-story residential tower, sports streamlined forms reminiscent of the Art Moderne movement, bygone ocean liners and the sense of momentum they impart.

Photo Courtesy of Rinka Chung Architecture Inc.
The Moderne's streamlined forms are reminiscent of the art-moderne movement.

To maximize open space, project team members opted for a column-free concept like that of office buildings, with floors supported by perimeter columns and columns near a pair of central stair and elevator cores.

For the foundation, designers specified a unique dish-like mat base providing deep support for elevators in addition to better drainage and less costly materials as the mat sloped upward.

Early collaboration resulted in a minimal amount of rework, a compact design schedule and well-coordinated construction documents.

The Moderne, Milwaukee

Key Players

Owner Barrett Visionary Development, Milwaukee

GC J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., Milwaukee

Designer Rinka Chung Architecture Inc., Milwaukee

Structural Engineer GRAEF-USA, Milwaukee

M/E/P Engineers Butters-Fetting Co., Milwaukee; Alpine Plumbing Inc., Brookfield, Wis.; Uihlein Electric Co., Brookfield, Wis.