Kern Center – Milwaukee School of Engineering

Client

Milwaukee School of Engineering

Location

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Size

210,000 SF

Completed

2004

Made possible by a gift from Robert and Patricia Kern, the Kern Center is dedicated to MSOE students as the athletic competition, training and recreational heart of the campus. The facility was planned and designed in a collaborative process with athlete, coach and student input informing all decisions.

Sport venues include a 1,600-seat NCAA ice hockey arena, 1,200-seat NCAA basketball arena, field house with three full basketball courts, track and field training and a 160-meter elevated track. The main public feature of the building is a three-story corner ellipse structure, which houses a two-level fitness facility and provides panoramic views of the Park East corridor. Other amenities include a wrestling room, film room, interview and recruitment areas, the campus health and counseling center, and a professional athletic training facility. Locker rooms for both varsity and intramural athletes are also included.

The complex provides for open recreation, personal fitness, drop-in game play, and group exercise classes for MSOE students, faculty, staff, and Kern Center members. It is also the hub of the MSOE campus in hosting events ranging from recognition dinners to graduation ceremonies.

Designed in collaboration with RDG Planning and Design.

Awards

  • ASID Wisconsin Design Excellence Award
    Recreation/Hospitality – Silver
  • Mayor’s Design Award
  • Innovative Architecture & Design Award
    Recreation Management
  • Athletic Business Magazine Facility of Merit
  • National Intramural and Recreation Sports Association
    Outstanding Sports Facilities Award
  • Midwest Construction Magazine Award of Merit
    Sports and Entertainment Project of the Year
  • Wisconsin Builder Magazine Top Project Award