Lamar Johnson Collaborative transforms prominent parcel into student housing
By Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC) announced the recent completion of Chapter Madison, a 10-story, 550-bed student housing development designed by the firm to address the need for campus-adjacent living at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and anchor a prominent corner at 832 Regent St. in the city's historic Greenbush neighborhood.
Because Chapter Madison is situated on a highly visible but oddly shaped piece of land, comparable to an angled wedge with a jagged edge, the project developer, CRG, initiated a lengthy design process in the attempt to close the gap between the needs and preferences of the surrounding community and the financial viability of the development.
Initially involved in the project in a consulting role, LJC Principal Alan Barker and a team of residential designers devised creative approaches that fulfilled neighborhood zoning guidelines while maintaining the mix and number of units necessary for the building’s return on investment.
“Chapter Madison stands on a very prominent site that had been underutilized for quite some time, so the community understandably set the bar high for what would be built there,” said Barker. “Our solution was rooted in working at three different scales—the neighborhood scale, the streetscape scale and the human scale—in order to break down what would have been a giant façade into one that integrates well with its surroundings.”
To achieve that, the design includes building setbacks at the fourth and eighth floors, enhancing the natural light while minimizing the building’s presence from the wider, newly landscaped sidewalks.
On bustling Regent Street, a vibrant mural by artist Amy Zaremba pays homage to Greenbush in depicting historic scenes from the neighborhood, including the nearby Italian Workmen’s Club, one of the oldest active Italian clubs in the U.S. At each end of the building, a covered entry and terrace emphasizes prominence at their respective intersections.
Vertical black metal panels running from ground level to the rooftop similarly break down the building’s massing into visually distinct sections evocative of the area’s existing architecture. Metal architectural elements contrast the masonry façade, with gray metal accenting the light reddish brick and wood-effect panels highlighting the darker charcoal brick.
“The team focused on breaking down the long facade into manageable pieces while creating a visually striking building that is forward-looking without standing out in a showy way,” said Veronica Widholm, project architect at LJC, pointing to the more contemporary covered entry and terrace that defines each end of the building. “For the facade, our design approach relied on richness through reduction and careful application of materials. The use of classic materials like brick and metal is elegant yet understated and gives the building a feeling of permanence.”
“We also needed to think differently about how to ensure we were meeting the project proforma,” added Barker. This was accomplished with a unit mix that placed four- and five-bedroom units on the lower floors where larger floor plans could be more easily accommodated and smaller units that take advantage of views on upper floors. The penthouse level features a number of amenities where residents can enjoy the cityscape vistas.
Heralded as a key factor in Chapter Madison’s success, with 100% of units leased, the interiors are equally well-considered, boasting numerous public gathering spots, such as a rooftop amenity area featuring a lounge with various seating zones, including one around a fireplace; and a ground-floor lobby that offers a concierge desk, additional seating zones and a fitness center overlooking the sidewalk, which the designers widened and landscaped to create a more pleasant and practical pedestrian experience.
About Lamar Johnson Collaborative:
Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC) is a full-service, integrated architecture and design firm. LJC is committed to elevating the art and science of architecture and improving design delivery through collaboration. As an integrated design practice, the firm offers architecture, interior design, urban planning, landscape architecture, sustainability and quality assurance services through locations in Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and St Louis. As a subsidiary of Clayco, a national design-build construction firm, LJC utilizes a full-service approach to inform design delivery, going beyond traditional quality assurance by ensuring benefits of the design-build delivery method in projects regardless of actual delivery method.
Founded in 1999, LJC combines collective experiences to promote an inclusive culture, recognizing the true value of diversity and the synergy that it brings.
About CRG:
CRG is a privately owned North American real estate development and investment firm founded in 1993 with deep expertise in delivering and owning industrial, office, multifamily, student housing and mixed-use assets. The firm serves clients and investors from seven regional offices, benefiting from local expertise in Chicago, St. Louis, Seattle, Southern California, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Atlanta. CRG has developed more than 12,500 acres of land and delivered over 220 million square feet of assets exceeding $14 billion in value.
About Chapter:
Chapter is CRG’s national collection of upscale multifamily and student housing developments designed to provide spaces and experiences that help residents write their life story with greater intention. Each project is designed to offer residents the opportunity to not just live well, but also enjoy a home where experiences work together with the design to fuel one simple idea: help people write their next chapter.