AIA Milwaukee

Cambridge Commons is a dormitory for freshman and sophomore students of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.  It is designed as a Live-Learn Community with students grouped together by major.

Gathering spaces and lounges were created throughout the spaces, turning corridors into lively streets with areas designed to take advantage of natural light. In addition to living spaces there are meeting rooms designed to facilitate Professors and students for classes taught on site. A large cafeteria faces the west courtyard with views of the riverbank tree line. The first floor along North Avenue will house the UWM Foundation offices as well as a coffee shop. A connection with the bike path and Riveredge path system is planned.

The building’s construction consists of a cast-in-place concrete parking deck and first floor. The floors above have a light gage steel frame construction. The project incorporates many green features such as rain gardens, rainwater harvesting cisterns, green roofs, recycled content and regional materials and operable windows in all dormitory rooms. The Architects are seeking for a LEED Silver rating minimum but may achieve LEED Gold.

We would like express our gratitude to HGA, architect tour guides Lyssa Olker and Kevin Allebach as well as AIA Milwaukee Construction Tour coordinator John Holz.