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Case Study: Marquette University Wellness + Helfaer Recreation Facility

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Aug 07, 2025

In early 2025, Marquette University unveiled the Wellness + Helfaer Recreation Facility—a new center designed to support student well-being through a holistic fusion of counseling, sports medicine, recreation, and wellness spaces. At the heart of the building’s architectural identity is a striking 5,538-square-foot kinetic feature wall, created not only as a visual landmark but also as an experiential art installation intended to restore, inspire, and reconnect individuals with the natural world.

Esteemed environmental artist, Ned Kahn, the vision behind the feature:

“What if the entire building could function as a healing instrument for the university and the community? Visually connecting people to the mysterious and beautiful air that we breathe, the entire building could become a healing beacon in these stressful times. The intent is to blur the lines between art, �Ӱ�ԭ�� and atmosphere, transforming the entire building into a healing, fluid environment.”

This ethos materializes in the kinetic wall—an animated surface that transforms the exterior of the facility into a dynamic interplay of light, color, and motion. With every breeze, the wall shimmers like the nearby Lake Michigan, engaging viewers with a sense of calm and natural rhythm. The intention is to blur the lines between art, �Ӱ�ԭ��, and atmosphere.

EXTECH fabricated the feature from 6” x 6” aluminum elements, each .040” thick and spaced 1” apart on all sides for optimal motion. Each kinetic component is coated in blue Kynar, selected for its calming hue and its visual dialogue with Lake Michigan, a grounding natural element of the Marquette campus.

To ease installation and maximize uniformity, the system was fabricated as pre-assembled panels, each measuring approximately 5’-10” wide by 11’ tall. The panels were installed three units high to form the full-scale installation. In total, the wall becomes a massive yet fluid kinetic mosaic that responds to environmental conditions throughout the day and across seasons.

The KINETICWALL concept doesn’t stop at the facade. Inside, the theme continues with four smaller kinetic tile arrays, reinforcing the sensory experience and symbolically bridging exterior and interior environments. This thoughtful design carries the building’s healing intent through every layer of user experience.

The facility, now fully operational and open to students and the community, offers a tranquil and energizing destination for both body and mind. The KINETICWALL has quickly become a campus icon—photographed, studied, and appreciated not just for its technical ingenuity, but for its emotional resonance.

This project illustrates how kinetic design can transcend aesthetics, becoming an active agent of well-being. The Marquette University Wellness + Helfaer Recreation Facility stands as a testament to the power of integrated design, where �Ӱ�ԭ��, movement, and mindfulness meet to form a truly restorative environment.

@extechinc #extechinc #aviation

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