Efficient Construction for Madison’s 12-Story Theory Student Housing
Downtown Madison is undergoing a major transformation. The Theory Madison Project is converting an underutilized site into a modern student housing complex. The development includes over 700 beds, 100 affordable student units, two levels of loft apartments, and two outdoor terraces, designed to serve students, residents, and local businesses.
Constructing a 12-story, 31,000-square-foot-per-floor building in a dense urban area presented significant challenges. Limited equipment space, tight deadlines, and complex design features required solutions beyond conventional construction methods. PERI USA provided those solutions.
Speed and Precision with SKYFLEX
Onsite, JP Cullen’s team has praised the SKYFLEX system for its efficiency. “The framework goes up, and we can frame half of the building in a single day. It’s pretty slick,” said Shawn Constantini, site superintendent. “We’re pouring a deck a week, so I love it.”
The modular design, lightweight aluminum components, and large 8x8 grid enabled fast floor cycles and easy on-site adjustments. Carpenter Dalton Dilley noted, “Everything’s so compact. You can fit everything on a little 8-foot cart. You don’t have to clear anything out; you can maneuver wherever. It really is quick and easy.”
Tailored Systems for Complex Construction
In addition to SKYFLEX, PERI USA provided MAXIMO with RCS for elevator shafts, Alpha Columns for vertical columns support, and MULTIPROP for load-bearing shoring. The RCS system had not been used by JP Cullen before but was selected to maintain a two-day construction cycle for vertical cores. After an initial learning curve, the crew quickly adapted, keeping the schedule on track.
Each system was chosen to meet the project’s requirements for speed, flexibility, and safety in a constrained urban environment. “I realized immediately that SKYFLEX can be used in many different ways,” Constantini said. “With the addition of joists, beams, and shores, we haven’t even realized its full potential yet, but watching it go up is amazing.”
Collaboration Ensures Success
The project’s success depended on teamwork as much as equipment. “PERI truly is a one-stop shop for constructability solutions,” said Logan Eiden, JP Cullen project engineer. “From parts and attachments to on-site guidance, they make sure we can execute the job efficiently.”
This collaboration allowed crews to learn quickly and maintain the ambitious one-floor-per-week schedule, keeping the project on track despite the site’s constraints and design complexities.
Transforming Downtown Madison
Construction began in early 2024, with completion expected in June 2026. The Theory Madison Project will deliver a modern, safe, and highly functional student housing facility. With PERI USA’s innovative systems and JP Cullen’s forward-thinking approach, the project demonstrates what modern urban construction can achieve.
“Partnering with PERI allowed us to execute a complex project efficiently,” said Constantini. “It’s exciting to see how quickly we can bring a vision like this to life in downtown Madison.”
The project highlights how technology, collaboration, and adaptability can drive construction success, showing that even in tight urban spaces, speed, safety, and innovation can go hand in hand.
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