University of Wisconsin–Madison Union South

University of Wisconsin–Madison Union South is a student union building located on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus, near Lake Monona and Monona Terrace. The building serves as a hub for student activities, events, and services, and is managed by the Wisconsin Union. It is a popular destination for students, faculty, and staff, offering a range of amenities and programs, including those sponsored by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Recreational Sports, Wisconsin Alumni Association, and University of Wisconsin–Madison Libraries. The union is also a short walk from other campus landmarks, such as Bascom Hill, Camp Randall Stadium, and the Geology Museum.

● History

The history of the University of Wisconsin–Madison student union dates back to the early 20th century, with the construction of the Memorial Union in 1928, which was made possible through the efforts of Theodore Herfurth, Charles Sumner Slichter, and Charles R. Van Hise. The Memorial Union was designed by Lawrence Anderson, Herbert Fritz, and Julius Schweitzer, and features a unique blend of Art Deco and Collegiate Gothic architectural styles, similar to those found in the University of Chicago's Gothic Revival buildings. In the 1960s and 1970s, the student union expanded to include the Union South building, which was designed by Harry Weese and Eero Saarinen, and features a more modernist style, reminiscent of the TWA Flight Center and the Dulles International Airport. The building has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including a major renovation in 2011, which was led by Bruce Abrahamson, David Neuman, and Gordon Smith, and featured the work of Ballinger, HOK, and Kahler Slater.

● Architecture

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Union South building features a unique blend of modern and sustainable design elements, similar to those found in the Sydney Opera House, Guggenheim Museum, and Fallingwater. The building's exterior is clad in limestone and glass, with a green roof and solar panels to reduce its environmental impact, similar to the California Academy of Sciences and the Bullitt Center. The interior features a range of amenities, including a food court with options from Einstein Bros. Bagels, Qdoba Mexican Grill, and Subway, as well as a game room and lounge areas with pool tables, foosball tables, and video games from Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. The building's design was influenced by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, and Mies van der Rohe, and features a similar emphasis on functionalism and minimalism, as seen in the Farnsworth House and the Villa Savoye.

● Facilities

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Union South building offers a range of facilities and amenities, including a theater with a stage and seating for over 500 people, similar to the Orpheum Theatre and the Palace Theatre. The building also features a range of meeting rooms and event spaces, including the Varsity Hall and the Badger Room, which can be reserved for events and activities sponsored by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Student Organization Office, Wisconsin Union Directorate, and University of Wisconsin–Madison Athletics. The building is also home to a range of student services, including the University of Wisconsin–Madison Student Job Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison Counseling Services, and University of Wisconsin–Madison University Health Services, which offer support and resources for students, similar to those found at Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

● Programming

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Union South building offers a range of programming and events, including concerts, comedy shows, and lectures sponsored by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Distinguished Lecture Series, Wisconsin Union Theater, and University of Wisconsin–Madison Arts Institute. The building is also home to a range of student organizations and clubs, including the University of Wisconsin–Madison Student Government, University of Wisconsin–Madison Debate Team, and University of Wisconsin–Madison Chess Club, which offer opportunities for students to get involved and engaged with the campus community, similar to those found at Yale University, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Michigan. The building's programming is managed by the Wisconsin Union Directorate, which is a student-led organization that oversees the union's events and activities, and works with other campus organizations, such as the University of Wisconsin–Madison Campus Activities Center and the University of Wisconsin–Madison Student Life.

● Sustainability

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Union South building is designed to be a sustainable and environmentally friendly facility, with a range of features to reduce its impact on the environment, similar to those found in the Bullitt Center and the California Academy of Sciences. The building features a green roof and solar panels to reduce its energy consumption, as well as a rain garden and permeable pavers to reduce stormwater runoff, similar to those found at University of Washington and University of Oregon. The building is also designed to be energy-efficient, with features such as LED lighting and high-efficiency HVAC systems, similar to those found in the Empire State Building and the Willis Tower. The building's sustainable design was recognized with a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, and has been recognized as a model for sustainable design in the American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

● Renovation

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Union South building underwent a major renovation in 2011, which was led by Bruce Abrahamson, David Neuman, and Gordon Smith, and featured the work of Ballinger, HOK, and Kahler Slater. The renovation included the addition of new amenities and facilities, such as a fitness center and yoga studio, as well as the renovation of existing spaces, including the food court and lounge areas, similar to those found at University of Texas at Austin and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The renovation also included the installation of new sustainable features, such as solar panels and green roof, and was designed to meet the needs of the campus community, with input from students, faculty, and staff, similar to the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Southern California. The renovation was recognized with a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, and has been recognized as a model for sustainable design in the American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison