Fiserv Forum

Walter P Moore served as the long-span roof design specialist and enclosure consultant for the new Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center, Fiserv Forum. The 18,000-seat venue features an iconic curving roof structure and dynamic façade that position the arena among the most prominent and recognizable buildings in the city. A truly multi-purpose venue, the arena has been designed to host basketball, hockey, end stage and center stage concerts, circuses and ice events, and open-floor exhibitions.

Our team integrated structural and enclosure engineering services to provide a holistic design solution for the complete building enclosure. We performed extensive comparative studies of seven distinct roof framing configurations to determine the most efficient, functional and constructible long-span structural system. We then employed state-of-the-art parametric modeling techniques to optimize truss spans and depths, and digitally rationalize the complex geometry of a roof and façade that merge multiple intersecting curves and surfaces into a continuous, seamless design theme.

Walter P Moore introduced geometric repetition into the structural design for fabrication and erection economy, and provided accurate material quantity estimates and detailed steel connection information early in the design phase to establish cost certainty. We also designed a highly-flexible and high-capacity rigging grid that allows the facility to accommodate a wide variety of concerts and other events.

To respond to the harsh winter loading conditions in Milwaukee, we worked in collaboration with wind and climate specialists to identify specific roof shapes and facade materials and seamlessly integrated barriers, melt and removal systems into the structural design to effectively manage snow and ice.