Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Giving Students a Brighter Space

  • 12/01/17
Solatube

Solatube skylights helped bring light to “the cave” at Waukesha Technical College, giving students a brighter space in which to learn and eat.

Waukesha Technical College (WCTC) is a public technical college located in Waukesha, WI, outside of Milwaukee. The school has over 23,000 students enrolled in a variety of degree programs. One of the key areas for students to study and eat is called the Service Building.

Students traditionally referred to the student gathering space as “the cave” since it was dark and gloomy. The challenge was to renovate the existing space within the budget of $600,000 but transform it from a cave-like space to a place where students could study and socialize in an environment filled with daylight.

According to Matthew Kerr, IIDA, ASAI, senior associate and interior designer at Zimmerman Architectural Studios, one of the main drivers of the renovation was allowing the space to be filled with natural light and creating auditory separation without disrupting the visual “openness” of the existing space. “The large glass wall around one of the meeting areas helped the tubular daylighting devices and lanterns do their job,” Kerr says.

The project used 12 SkyVault M74 core units, integrated with LED lighting for night use and maximum lighting energy efficiency. Custom square-shaped fabric lanterns were created as decorative elements at the ceiling level.

“The student lobby in the Service Building went from being an underused, dark space to a vibrant and active hub for students. It’s amazing what a building remodel that factors in natural light can do for one’s psyche! The Solatube units made this possible,” says Brooks Kyler-Eberlein, WCTC Interior Design instructor.

Keith Johnson, owner of Brighter Concepts, handled the Solatube SkyVault units and installation.

“The cave-like environment of the student gathering area was very oppressive,” Johnson says. “It was truly incredible to see the transformation of the space once the Solatube SkyVault units were installed.”

www.solatube.com

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Designing Third Spaces That Do What AI Can't

    In 2026, education is evolving faster than ever. With AI reshaping everything from lesson planning to personalized instruction, schools and universities are turning their attention to what AI can’t replicate: spaces that foster collaboration, community, and creativity.

  • Chicago District Completes Construction on New Elementary School

    North Chicago School District 187 in North Chicago, Ill., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Forrestal Elementary School, according to a news release. The new school marks a major investment in military-connected students and families at Naval Station Great Lakes.

  • Wenger Names New Vice President of Sales for Performing Arts, Controls

    Wenger Corporation, which provides products and solutions for music and theater education, performing arts and athletic storage, recently announced the hiring of a new Vice President of Sales for Performing Arts and Controls.

  • Girl Sitting at Library Desk, Using Laptop

    How Campus Design Shapes the Finals Week Experience

    Academic performance is not just about preparation. It is closely tied to how students manage stress, maintain their energy, and shift between work and recovery modes. Much of that is influenced, directly or indirectly, by design.