ForConstructionPros.com

As part of its master plan to redevelop downtown Madison, WI, the University of Wisconsin, along with private businesses, has embarked on the 11-story, 1.1 million-sq.-ft. University Square Project. The project will consolidate several existing services and businesses at one location. The result is a private-public partnership between Executive Management Inc. of Madison and the University. The new $100 million complex will include 350 apartments, 250,000 sq. ft. of University health service offices (known as University Tower), 140,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 420 parking spaces.

Started in 2006, the retail and housing segments are scheduled to be completed in May of this year, with the University Tower portion set to open in December. In all, the project is expected to consume 58,000 cu. yds. of concrete.

Given the tight timeline, J.H. Findorff & Sons Inc., the general building contractor, stepped in as soon as the site had been excavated and the retention system was in place. In business since 1890, J.H. Findorff operates offices in Madison and Milwaukee, employs over 500 workers and completes roughly $275 million of construction annually. It specializes in building construction, including educational facilities, municipal and governmental buildings, convention centers, health care facilities and more.

The company started the construction process by using Peri USA SKYDECK for the first three floors, then Aluma flying tables for the remaining eight floors.

The SKYDECK system, which can be used on slabs up to 95 cm, has stripping that allows you to strike after only one day, depending on the slab depth and concrete strength. The main beam and formwork panels are available for use on the next cycle after two days. "It's a new technique out for building high-rise structures," explains Chad Eschler, assistant yard superintendent, J.H. Findorff. "It's used in Chicago and places like that, but it's the first time we've ever used it [on a structure like this]."