By HFT Staff

The newly opened Froedtert Hospital Blue Parking Facility has been recognized with an Award for Excellence — Honorable Mention by the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI). One of the parking and mobility industry’s most prestigious global honors, the award highlights outstanding design, innovation and operational excellence in parking facilities across North America.  

In addition to providing 2,274 parking spaces for patients, visitors and staff, the structure was designed to serve as a welcoming arrival point for patients and visitors at Froedtert Hospital, home to the region’s only adult Level I Trauma Center. The defining feature of the facility is its ventilated glass rainscreen façade, engineered and fabricated by Bendheim Glass. Acting as a second skin, the glass enclosure elevates the structure from a conventional parking infrastructure to a daylight-filled, visually refined component of the hospital campus. The façade reflects the sky and surrounding buildings, subtly shifting in appearance throughout the day as light and weather conditions change. 

By enabling natural airflow, the façade reduces or eliminates the need for mechanical ventilation systems, lowering long-term energy consumption. The reduced reliance on steel and simplified installation process also contributed to faster construction timelines and overall project efficiency. 

At the core of the innovation for which the garage was recognized by IPMI is a custom glass and compression clip system developed specifically for the project. Unlike traditional façade systems that require extensive steel substructures, the clip-based system allows the glass panels to be mounted directly and efficiently, significantly reducing material requirements and installation complexity. 

Beyond its architectural innovations, the facility incorporates a range of advanced parking technologies and safety features designed to improve the overall experience for patients, visitors, and staff. These include real-time parking guidance with LED signage, secure access-controlled areas, a rooftop snow-melting system, and a comprehensive security network with cameras, emergency call boxes, and on-site personnel. Safety considerations were also integrated into the building’s design. Extended parapets and a discreet rooftop fencing system provide fall protection while preserving the clean architectural lines of the structure. The garage was designed by EUA, a Milwaukee-based architecture, engineering and design firm.