A Brighter, More Comfortable Skywalk for Aurora Sinai with Kalwall
A New Approach to Skywalk Daylighting
The skywalk at Aurora Sinai Medical Center in Milwaukee needed an upgrade. The existing enclosure had weathered and looked outdated. The system also lacked sufficient insulation, making the space hot in summer and cold in winter.
We worked with the project teams at HGA Architects (Milwaukee) and JP Cullen Construction (Milwaukee) to bring their design to life by installing a new enclosure that brings in daylight while improving thermal comfort.
Kalwall® translucent panels bring soft, museum-quality diffused daylight into the skywalk. Their insulated construction also helps address the temperature challenges of the old system that prompted the replacement.
Solving the Skywalk’s Critical Weight Challenge with Kalwall
JP Cullen removed the existing enclosure while retaining the concrete floor slab and columns. With those elements staying in place, the new system's weight was a key consideration. At approximately 2 pounds per square foot, Kalwall met the project’s weight requirement while offering an insulated daylighting solution.
We also worked with Klein Dickert Glass of Pewaukee, which supplied the curved aluminum tube supports used to anchor the Kalwall system. Kalcurve® panels follow the skywalk’s shape, giving the enclosure a smooth, continuous appearance. Fixed windows add the vision glass HGA wanted, pairing outside views with Kalwall’s diffused daylight.
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The result is a refreshed skywalk that feels brighter and more comfortable year-round, with a clean, modern appearance that creates a visually appealing connection between buildings. It shows how a lightweight daylighting system can meet the constraints of an existing structure while improving both the aesthetics and the experience of moving through the space.
Let’s Talk About Your Daylighting Challenge
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Whether you’re replacing an aging enclosure or planning a new one, we can help you evaluate Kalwall and other daylighting options. Our team brings experience in design-assist, product selection, coordination, and installation to help turn a design challenge into a space people enjoy using. Contact us to discuss your project.
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