David A. Straz, Jr. Hall, home of Marquette’s College of Nursing, received a Wisconsin American Institute of Architects Honor Award — the organization’s highest recognition awarded for design excellence.
Straz Hall was one of five projects to receive the Honor Award out of a field of 55. Submissions were judged by a jury of three AIA member architects recognized for their contributions to AIA and the profession. Awarded projects were recognized at the Design Awards Gala on Friday, Oct. 10, at Milwaukee’s Jan Serr Studio.
“This project stood out for its beautifully simple façade, vigorous floor plans and exceptional use of natural light,” said Stephen Schreiber, a 2025 juror. “Kudos to the design team for making light such a defining and celebrated feature of the experience.”
Straz Hall underwent a radical transformation after serving as home to Marquette Business since its initial construction in 1951, reopening at the start of the 2024-25 academic year.
The 103,000-square-foot, five-story building now houses a blend of general use classrooms, skills practice labs, health care simulation spaces, administrative offices and student study areas. Learning spaces are designed for active student learning and equipped with flexible technology to accommodate in-person and hybrid learning that can integrate students at a distance into the classroom.
The new simulation center is equipped with an operating room, several hospital inpatient rooms, clinic space and a studio apartment meant to simulate home health care.
AIA Wisconsin is the statewide Society of the American Institute of Architects. With over 1,600 members, AIA Wisconsin represents architects in private practice, business, industry, government and education, as well as interns, allied professionals and students. Its mission is to serve members, advance their value and improve the quality of our built environment.
