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| Home: Corporate: Strang History |
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1935 |
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It began in 1935. Hamilton Beatty and Allen Strang founded the
Beatty and Strang architectural firm on the corner of State Street
and Carroll in downtown Madison. Designers at the time were torn
between holding onto the past or moving on to the future. According
to The Quarterly Newsletter of the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation
(August 1985), "In a period of remarkable foment in the architectural
profession in America, when allegiances were split between traditional
design representing security, prosperity, and return to normalcy
after World War I, and the new 'machine-made' architecture of 'bolshevist'
Europe, Beatty and Strang cast their dice with the rebels."
The partners specialized in the progressive design of small, International
Style houses with simple concrete, stucco, brick or frame; large
expanses of glass; and flat roofs. Twelve of these homes were designated
historic landmarks by the City of Monona. Other notable Beatty and
Strang structures are scattered throughout the Madison area. |
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| 1945-1955 |
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Prior to World War II, Beatty and Strang parted ways. Beatty designed
factories for the Austin Company in Detroit and Strang worked with
the Federal Housing Authority in Chicago. Eventually, Strang returned
to Madison to form the firm of Weiler & Strang, later known
as Weiler, Strang & McMullin, Strang Partners and Strang, Inc.
In the post-war era between 1945 and 1955, the firm began to design
secondary and post-secondary schools and churches. During this period,
Wieler & Strang also started designing small office buildings
to accommodate the rapidly growing space needs of organizations
such as the American Dairy Association and American Bar Center.
Other notable projects from this period include Mendota Elementary
School, Columbus Elementary School and Our Lady Queen of Peace Church. |
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| 1955 - 1965 |
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From 1955 to 1965, the firm grew to 15 employees. We added mechanical
engineering capabilities and established our long-standing working
relationship with the State of Wisconsin. Strang designed the Engineering
and Science Facility (now known as Upham Hall) at the University
of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Ottensman Hall at the University of
Wisconsin-Platteville.
The firm began specializing in building designs with complex architectural
and mechanicalrequirements. In 1964, Weiler & Strang designed
the Computer Sciences and Statistics Building for the University
of Wisconsin-Madison, which was the first academic computer facility
in the country. In the late 1960's, the firm’s name changed
to Weiler, Strang & McMullin. We began designing healthcare
facilities, including the expansion for Madison General Hospital
(now known as Meriter Park). |
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| 1965 - 1975 |
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We used a revolutionary new design principle called "classrooms
without walls" in a grade school for the Village of McFarland.
Today, this concept is widely applied through open space planning
for corporate offices. Other notable projects from this decade include
State Medical Society, Wisconsin Life (now known as Humana), the
City of Madison Downtown Public Library, The Regent, and Forest
Products laboratory projects.
Weiler, Strang & McMullin's early 1970's commissions included
extensive work for the State of Wisconsin, such as Union South and
Wendt Library for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The firm
began designing large office facilities for companies such as General
Casualty Insurance, as well as structures for high-tech clients,
including Ohio Medical (now known as Datex-Ohmeda). |
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| 1975 - 1985 |
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One of our most pivotal projects was the 1983 renovation of Birge
Hall for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This project involved
laboratories and classrooms for the study of photobiology, mycology,
physiology and behavioral ecology. It positioned us for work within
the private biotechnology industry. After the Birge Hall project
was completed, Promega commissioned us to design its new headquarters
facility to support molecular biological research and development.
We also designed the BioPharmaceutical Technology Center for Promega
in 1994. |
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| Today |
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In the past decade, we focused our design expertise on complex
structures, including science and technology buildings and corporate
office facilities. Our clients include some of Dane County's premiere
organizations, including: MGE Innovation Center, GE Medical Systems
Lunar, Tetrionics, Third Wave Technologies, Bruker AXS, and Electronic
Theatre Controls, City Center West, PIC Wisconsin, Alliant Energy
Center Exhibition Hall, Charter Communications, UW-Madison Memorial
Union Lakefront Cafe and WPS. |
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