Design: EUA, EVS
Photography: C+N Photography Inc
Location: Milwaukee, WI
In 2024, Milwaukee’s Baird Center completed an expansion that doubled its size to 1.3 million square feet. This expansion is anticipated to bring in 100,000 unique visitors to Milwaukee each year, bolstering the local economy and putting Milwaukee in the forefront of the nation’s mind with its enhanced ability to host large world-class events. Staying true to their DE&I objectives, the Baird Center’s team partnered with Forward Space, a WBENC, to furnish a wide range of spaces, including indoor and outdoor lounge areas, administrative offices, conference rooms, mothers’ rooms, convention halls, a space to record podcasts, and even a chef’s room.
Aesthetics were essential within this project. Davis Ginko chairs were incorporated in various lounge spaces to compliment the art gallery-like setup of the center. To support guests working on the go, an area designated as “The Cove” was built with Orangebox On the QT phonebooths for guests to attend private calls and two Orangebox Air3 boxes to host small meetings.
Behind the scenes, administrative areas were outfitted with Steelcase Migration and Answer systems to offer the Baird team a durable and flexible workspace. Inspired by Steelcase’s “front porch” design theory, Lagunitas lounge systems were installed in front of workstations to provide their team with a designated area to collaborate and meet with outside guests.
The benefits this expansion will provide to the community of Milwaukee are countless. With the durable pieces specified with Forward Space, the Baird Center is equipped to support thousands of guests and employees for years to come.