The five-story, state-of-the-art building features an open, airy design that promotes student-faculty interaction and collaboration. Along with a 300-seat auditorium, modern conference rooms, personal health spaces and dozens of project offices, Signe Skott Cooper Hall also includes an innovative active learning complex (ALC). This complex comprises 34 interactive student tables complete with laptop hookups and a flat-screen television for image projection. The ALC “provides the environment and technology for students to develop the skills necessary to work effectively in teams and to quickly analyze, discuss, understand and solve complex, real-life challenges in health care,” according to a statement released by the university.

“High-performance teamwork among nurses, physicians, pharmacists, other health professionals and family members is necessary in this complex health care system, not only to improve outcomes, but also to prevent harm,” said nursing school Dean Katharyn May in a statement.

The Signe Skott Cooper Hall, designed by Kahler Slater of Madison, also includes the Center for Technology-Enhanced Nursing, which further supports the school’s emphasis on engaging, team-based, interactive and problem-focused learning. A simulated four-room hospital suite and five high-fidelity human patient simulators representing various stages of life allow educators to guide students through 80 different health care scenarios. A simulated home environment and an eHealth laboratory also address team-based, patient-centered treatment throughout the continuum of care.

“Our focus here is not so much technology for its own sake but rather tools that make teamwork and collaboration easier,” George Jura, director of academic technology for the school, said in a statement.

In addition to offering top quality health care education, designers also integrated features aimed at improving environmental health. This building expects to improve water efficiency over a comparable baseline building by 30 percent and incorporates low-emitting interior finishes and furnishings. A green roof on the top level and plenty of natural light will help the facility reach its LEED Gold target.
To encourage the future of nursing and the future of the school’s nursing program, the facility was built to accommodate an anticipated 30 percent department growth, while the two-story wing was engineered for vertical expansion.

The forward-thinking building is named for Signe Skott Cooper, a UW-Madison graduate who dedicated more than six decades to the UW nursing program before her death in 2013. Cooper, also a historian and author, was inducted into the American Nurses Association Hall of Fame and was named a “Living Legend” by the American Academy of Nursing in 2003, according to the university.

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The 276,664-square-foot structure, which opened in April of 2011, was designed by Milwaukee-based Workshop Architects, Inc., and Moody Nolan, Inc. out of Columbus, Ohio. CG Schmidt, out of Milwaukee, served as the construction manager on the two-year building effort. The $94.8 million project was funded by student fees, Wisconsin Union dues and donor support. No tax or tuition dollars were spent on the effort.

“We’re very gratified that Union South has earned this exemplary recognition,” says Wisconsin Union director Mark Guthier. “This is not only a tribute to the architects, construction company, design team and Union staff but also a testament to the extraordinary level of student involvement in the process from start to finish; the students said they wanted a sustainable, ‘green’ union building that will meet their 21st century needs. And this LEED Gold designation helps fulfill this promise.”

Students voted in 2006 to renovate the existing Memorial Union building and construct the new Union South structure. Student input called for a green building with a live performance venue and convenience store. The new structure features meetings paces, a large auditorium-style theater, recreational facilities and food service venues.

One of the highlights of the new facility is the Sett, which is the name for the series of tunnels that make up a badger burrow in the wild. The three-story space features everything from a live music venue to bowling, billiards and rock climbing. The space also features a viewing area where students can watch Badger sporting events on television, in case they do not have time to travel to an away game.

“I was so proud of our Union when I heard the news about our LEED gold certification, for two reasons,” says Wisconsin Union president Sarah Mathews. “One, because the Wisconsin Union is a values-driven organization, and sustainability is one of our key values. Two, because a great part of why we programmed Union South to focus on environmental stewardship is because of vocal student input supporting that outcome. This award shows the value of listening to and being guided by the student voice.”

The U.S. Green Building Council recognized the building for its energy use, lighting, water and material use. The structure uses less energy and water than comparable buildings, saving costs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The building uses 32 percent less water than standard buildings and 36 percent less energy. The facility also has nine parking spaces dedicated for low-emission, fuel-efficient, and carpool vehicles. Two nearby bus stations and 230 bike stalls provide a well-rounded array of green transportation options. The project also preserved 20 percent of the site for open space.

Storm water runoff is funneled into an outdoor water feature. The landscaping focuses on native plants, which conserve water and support local habitat. Nearly 90 percent of the materials from the old Union South building were recycled.

"We desired to make a building that speaks fluent Madison,” says Jan Van Den Kieboom, Workshop principal. “Part of that language is environmental stewardship. Earning LEED Gold confirms that the intent is realized."

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