Green Buildings Case Studies

Madison Children’s Museum

100 State Street
Madison, WI 53703

608.268.1231 x 25 (p)
608.268.1398 (e)
Brenda Baker (contact)
bbaker@madisonchildrensmuseum.org

www.madisonchildrensmuseum.org

Institutional Sustainability Mission
Sustainability Guidelines for Contractors
Learning from Leopold and Seuss, (pdf) Brenda Baker (Madison Children's Museum), Guest Editor, Hand to Hand, volume 20, Spring 2006
Seeing Green, (pdf) Jeremy Schoolfield, Fun World, The International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions, June 2005
"The Sustainable Museum: It's Not Easy Being Green," (pdf) Brenda Baker and John Robinson, Hand to Hand, volume 14, Winter 2000

Architect: Kubala Washatko Architects
Building Size: 50,000 sq. ft.
Project Budget: Yet to be determined
Opening Date: 2009
LEED Certification: Following LEED guidelines, although level yet to be determined

About Madison's Sustainable Expansion Project:
Madison Children's Museum (MCM) is currently beginning plans for a major expansion and relocation, which will move the museum 2 blocks from its current home to a 50,000 square foot historic 1929 Montgomery Department store on Madison's popular Capitol Square. This adaptive reuse project of a prominent downtown building will more than triple the size of the museum, add additional visitor amenities, staff spaces, exhibit galleries and a rooftop garden. The site, an entire city block, also includes on-site parking for more than 60 cars, and offers outstanding views of both the Capitol dome and Lake Mendota.

Madison Children's Museum Exterior

The Museum's Decision to Go Green:
All of MCM's exhibits have incorporated sustainable design practices since 1999, with the opening of First Feats, our award winning sustainably designed early childhood space. It was only natural that when we were ready for an expansion, we would embrace sustainability as part of our project goals. The museum's board of directors formally adopted an Institutional Sustainability Mission Statement in 2004, which now underlies all of the museum's work.

Project's Proposed Distinguishing Features:

Adaptive reuse of historic property on all major bus lines
New HVAC will make use of natural ventilation
Solar photovoltaic array and wind turbines planned
Use of sustainable, salvaged or recycled materials throughout
Green roof planned
No VOC paints, finishes and glues used
Local sources (from within Wisconsin or 350 mile radius of Madison) for labor and materials used as much as possible
Rain catchment systems planned
Low-flow toilets and fixtures
Green exhibits throughout
Bike racks and showers for staff bike commuters

Madison Children's Museum Roof Top Garden

Piece of advice for others regarding project:
Select an architect who has significant experience with green design, and whose philosophy is well matched with your institutional philosophy. The architect's experience with green design and sensitivity to your institutional goals and philosophy make all the difference. And importantly, choose people to work with who are team players, and you won't be overwhelmed if you can share the load.

Also, remember to think of sustainability as a process. Start with the low hanging fruit today, and don't be afraid to set a big lofty vision for the future regarding sustainability. With commitment and energy, you can find ways to do the right thing for kids.