Creating a breathtaking and welcoming experience for passengers that’s designed to last in the heart of a major hub.
The new University of Wisconsin CDIS Building in Madison blends high-performance design with storytelling, featuring a 5,000+ sq ft topographic installation that traces the Wisconsin River across seven levels.
Led by LMN Architects and M|R Walls, the design celebrates regional identity and immerses students in a flowing, textural representation of the local landscape that spans over 5,000 square feet.
In addition to celebrating the region’s natural beauty, this installation was designed to support the university’s goal of achieving LEED Platinum certification—the highest level of recognition awarded by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, for buildings that demonstrate exceptional sustainable building practices.
Accomplishing this level of depth and detail required an innovative approach. M|R Walls leveraged their patented puzzling logic and proprietary software to map the entire river system, ensuring that each piece would fit together seamlessly like an intricate jigsaw puzzle.
To achieve the complexity and precision required, M|R Walls relied on Corian® Solid Surface, chosen for its unique ability to be carved, thermoformed, and installed seamlessly across large-scale surfaces.
Essential to attaining the level of depth and detail this vision required was the ability to carve subtle variations in depth into ½” Corian® Solid Surface panels — depicting the river’s tributaries and surrounding landscape topography in stunning detail. By maximizing the flexibility of Corian® Solid Surface using multiple drill bits and variable carving depths, M|R Walls introduced organic water textures that shift naturally as the river ‘flows’ throughout the building’s seven levels above grade.
Additionally, Corian® Solid Surface contributed to the project’s LEED Platinum ambitions by delivering long-lasting performance, repairability, and low-maintenance hygiene, which are key for high-traffic educational spaces.
Working closely with general contractor J.H. Findorff & Sons Inc., M|R Walls arranged for each panel to be fabricated and milled at the Chicago CNC node, streamlining logistics for fast, tiered deliveries. Digitally mapped, pre-labeled, and pre-drilled, each panel arrived ready to install, enabling the team to complete over 1,000 sq ft per day with precision and efficiency.
The collaborative effort between LMN Architects, Kahler Slater, and M|R Walls resulted in a one-of-a-kind interior feature that seamlessly connects people with place — turning the Wisconsin River into an enduring symbol of innovation and natural beauty inside the new CDIS Building.
LMN Architects is an internationally recognized architecture firm based in Seattle, known for designing innovative spaces that connect people and place. With a diverse portfolio spanning education, civic, cultural, and commercial projects, LMN Architects is dedicated to sustainable design solutions that inspire communities and enrich everyday experiences.
M|R Walls is a leading design and fabrication firm specializing in creating custom wall textures and surface solutions. Known for their custom wall textures and 3d surface solutions, M|R Walls works with advanced materials like Corian® Solid Surface to deliver unique, high-touch tactile designs. M|R Walls collaborates with architects and designers to bring visionary concepts to life, enhancing the functionality and aesthetic appeal of various environments.
To learn more about M|R Walls, visit www.mrwalls.io.
Corian® Design, a division of DuPont Water & Protection, is a global organization that creates, manufactures, and markets advanced materials, products, and solutions for interior design and architecture, originating from a foundation of world-class technologies and expertise. Marketed under the Corian® brand and the Make Your Space™ tagline, its materials, products and solutions meet the most demanding requirements in terms of beauty, functionality, and durability. The Corian® Design global portfolio is continuously evolving, and it currently includes Corian® Solid Surface, and Corian® Quartz.
To learn more about Corian® Design, visit www.corian.com.
