This iconic building is one of a kind in so many ways. I find it fascinating that while the wings rise and remind many of a bird, the building is actually a big concrete ship. Eighty million pounds of concrete were used to construct it so it could resist the buoyant pressure of the lake and stay in the ground.
Dan Somers, Director of Campus Facilities and Grounds
See how well you know the details about the Museum’s Quadracci Pavilion, specifically the Burke Brise Soleil—popularly referred to as the wings!
1. How many steel “fins” form the wings?
2. At what wind speed do the wings automatically close?
3. Tip to tip, the wings span what distance?
4. What Spanish architect designed the building—his first in the United States?
5. How long does it take for the wings to open or close?
6. What Milwaukee-based firm designed the control system that raises and lowers the wings?
Drop by every night to see why Downtown Milwaukee honored us with the Illuminating the Community award. The wings are lit every night from sundown until 10 p.m., and they open with the Museum, flap at noon, and close at 10 p.m.
Click to reveal answers
1. 72
2. 23 mph
3. 217 feet (the same as a Boeing 747-400)
4. Santiago Calatrava
5. 3 ½ minutes
6. Rockwell Automation
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Image:
1. Photo of Dan Somers by Mike De Sisti, Courtesy of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
2. Building photo by Front Room Studios.