Ronstan is a global leader in the area of Tensile Architecture. Our experience has led us to contribute to some of the world’s most intriguing examples of projects involving structural bracing. Epic Deep Space is a specialized and unique design, featuring a dramatic glass facade at its forefront.
The Epic Deep Space Auditorium is the latest addition to the 811-acre campus of the medical records management company Epic which was completed in the fall of 2013 in Verona, Wisconsin. The new 11,400 seat auditorium will be used by the company for client and staff meetings. The 600,000 square foot auditorium extends 5 stories underground, reaching 70 feet below grade.
The designers of the building wanted to create a cave-like structure, which would blend into the surrounding landscape and bring transparency to mind. At the entrance to the building natural sunlight pours through a glass and rock wall that extends 800 linear feet.
The glass curtain wall is the defining element of the Deep Space project. Large spans of glass are supported and stabilized by over 630 compression struts and over 200 custom designed hanging rods by Ronstan Tensile Architecture.
The rods, which are 7/8” diameter and averaged 4’-0” in length, were fabricated from High Strength Carbon Steel and are Powdered Coated to match the balance of the main structural framing. The compression struts were 2” outside diameter and averaged 8’0” in length.
Ronstan worked in partnership with Cupples, Inc. to supply the required rods and compression struts. Ronstan’s consultative sales process along with the ability to customize the end connections, led to a successful project that was delivered on time and on budget. This project was shipped in 3 phases to accommodate the 25 month design and build schedule.
Photos: Ronstan and Associated General Contractors of America
Photographer: Dana Wheelock
