When is a Skylight Not a Skylight?

W. L. Hall Company was contacted to inspect a failing, long-leaking polycarbonate skylight at the Marathon Center Building in Appleton, WI. This layout had been a problem for many years, as its design tends to trap and hold water. Additionally, these skylights were faded and sufficiently dark to prevent light from passing through.

A skylight that doesn't let light through is hardly a skylight!

When is a Skylight Not a Skylight? Kalwall w l hall company 2

Enter Kristi Lynch, VP of Architecture at AFRY USA, located right within the Marathon Building. After multiple conversations, we devised an innovative solution: a custom-built, self-supported intersecting ridge roof skylight featuring Kalwall translucent panels.

When is a Skylight Not a Skylight? Kalwall w l hall company 4

Kalwall daylighting systems provide the ideal balance of aesthetics, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

Our new design not only resolved the leakage issue but also added a touch of architectural flair to the Marathon Building.

When is a Skylight Not a Skylight? Kalwall w l hall company 5

Kalwall daylighting systems provide the ideal balance of aesthetics, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

Our new design not only resolved the leakage issue but also added a touch of architectural flair to the Marathon Building.

By completing the installation entirely from the exterior, we minimized the disruption to building occupants. The end result was a great blend of functionality and design.

Kalwall Translucent Panel Makeup:

Exterior Face Sheet - .070 Crystal SW

Interior Face Sheet - .045 White S-171

Visible Light Transmission - 26%

Kalwall Corrosion Resistant Finish - White #00

Be sure to contact us if your building's existing skylights are causing problems. We are here to help!

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Raydoor Systems | Shaping Space Without Sacrificing Design Intent

By Ira Hackner • January 30, 2026

Raydoor Systems | Shaping Space Elegantly

Design Intent Delivered through Integrated Systems at Carlson School of Management

By Ira Hackner • January 22, 2026

Design Intent Delivered through Integrated Systems at Carlson School of Management

More Space for More Care — Expansion at CentraCare Plaza in St. Cloud

By Ira Hackner • January 15, 2026

Here is a look at a current healthcare project we are actively working on, showcasing our expertise in complex glazing, interior systems, and construction coordination—the CentraCare Plaza Expansion in St. Cloud, Minnesota. We are collaborating closely with RSP Architects (Minneapolis) and McGough Construction (St. Paul) to help bring the CentraCare Plaza Expansion design to life. From the outset, their project teams carefully factored the complex functional and operational requirements of expanded outpatient and specialty care into the overall design, ensuring each building system supports both architectural intent and long-term performance.

A Ceiling System that Provides BOTH Light and Sound Attenuation

By Ira Hackner • January 7, 2026

For the executive conference room hallway at Boston Scientific Arden Hills, (Building 5, Floor 3) RSP Architects (Minneapolis) and Cobeck Construction (St. Paul) project teams established clear priorities from the outset: to create a visually striking, polished ceiling experience appropriate for a high-visibility executive corridor, while also providing effective acoustic sound absorption to control noise transfer from the adjacent conference room. We worked closely with the RSP and Cobeck project teams to bring their design goals to life through a refined, high-performing ceiling solution.

Two Recent Zona® LYNX Telescopic Glass Wall Projects Showcase Flexible Design

By Ira Hackner • December 18, 2025

We are pleased to highlight two recently completed ZONA® LYNX telescoping glass wall projects, each tailored to the specific functional demands of its space. Working closely with the architects involved, we helped bring each project's design vision to reality, delivering precision ZONA installations that support flexibility, transparency, and long-term performance across both professional office and high-traffic environments. Both projects feature 3/8" clear laminated glass with a clear anodized finish, providing a consistent balance of durability, safety, and refined aesthetics. Below is a brief overview of each project and the unique advantages the ZONA LYNX system brings to each application.

Glass & Glazing Project in Progress – Boston Scientific's Weaver Lake 4 Expansion

By Ira Hackner • December 11, 2025

We are fortunate to be engaged in a wide range of projects across the Upper Midwest at any given time—each one highlighting the diversity of systems and solutions we provide. Today, we’re pleased to spotlight one of the major glazing projects we are currently involved in: the Boston Scientific – Weaver Lake 4 Expansion. We are proud to be actively progressing on this expansion, delivering advanced glass and glazing solutions for a project that continues to elevate one of Minnesota's most impactful medical device campuses. Collaborating with HGA Architects (Minneapolis) and Ryan Companies Construction (Minneapolis), our team is helping turn their design intent into a fully engineered, constructable glazing system—one that delivers long-term performance, clean aesthetics, and exceptional durability for Boston Scientific.

Air Leakage Is a Silent Energy Killer. One Rolling Door Is Finally Addressing It Head-On

By Ira Hackner • November 21, 2025

Most building professionals know that air leakage is one of the biggest performance failures in commercial buildings. What is less understood is this: Air leakage doesn't move in only one direction. It can move inward (infiltration) or outward (exfiltration) — and each direction carries its own set of energy, comfort, and moisture-control consequences. Even worse, rolling doors have historically been among the weakest points of the building envelope.

Daylighting, Durability & Performance: Why the Thief River Falls Regional Airport Chose Kalwall

By Ira Hackner • November 14, 2025

Daylighting, Durability & Performance: Why the Thief River Falls Regional Airport Chose Kalwall

Four Xcel Energy Facilities: Powered by Kalwall

By Ira Hackner • November 7, 2025

We truly enjoyed working with HCM Architects (Minneapolis), TKDA Architects (Bloomington), Knutson Construction (Minneapolis), and McGough (St. Paul), who brought four new Xcel Energy service facilities — in Chanhassen, Onalaska (WI), St. Cloud, and St. Paul–Maplewood. We helped bring their design visions to life with Kalwall’s advanced translucent daylighting systems, which elevate energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and thermal performance.

AIA Minnesota Excellence in Design for Energy Award Lakewood Cemetery's Welcome Center

By Ira Hackner • October 30, 2025

AIA Minnesota Excellence in Design for Energy Award Lakewood Cemetery's Welcome Center