University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin (OHOW) Center

JP Cullen recently completed a sky bridge, annex, and basketball court to its existing athletic facility. In conjunction with UWM athletics department, the OHOW Center consisted of adding an annex onto the existing Klotsche Center and Pavilion that houses the practice court, co-ed student athlete lounge, film room, nutrition station, hall of history and strength and conditioning space for the UWM Panthers Men’s and Women’s basketball teams. The new building helps to elevate much of the pressure on the existing Klotsche Center and Pavilion as a result of sharing the space with all UWM sports teams and Rec. This newly built space also functions as a beacon of pride for the Men’s and Women’s basketball team; aiding in overall student athlete pride, retention, and recruiting for the University.

The following success criteria were established with the Core Team as metrics that will be used to help guide decision making throughout the design and construction process:

Provide spaces that maximize the functionality and address the needs of the whole athlete.
A facility that enables the program to do more and attract a new round of basketball talent at UWM.
A space that inspires success.
A building that provides an instant morale boost to the program.
Improve the visibility of the basketball program on campus as a beacon of Panther1pride.
Improve Rec court access and flexibility for other sports.

Overall, the new annex replaces an existing parking lot on site and fits within  the existing context of the Downer Woods neighborhood, while not disturbing to the surrounding woodlands. It connects to the existing Klotsche center via a bridge spanning over the drive connecting Downer Ave to Edgewood. The building is clad in brick, similar to the adjacent Klotsche Center, with a Kalwall (or similar) system clad above to let natural daylight into the gymnasium and ancillary spaces.