Inspiration is truly EVERYWHERE!

One of the greatest gifts of living in Wisconsin is being surrounded by the ever-changing beauty of the seasons — from the crisp geometry of frost on windowpanes to the warm, organic patterns of fall foliage. These seasonal shifts don’t just change the landscape — they inform our palette, our textures, and even the forms we gravitate toward. Combine that with the rich architectural history around us — from the clean, horizontal lines of Prairie-style homes inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, to the intricate details of Milwaukee’s Cream City brick buildings — there’s no shortage of creative fuel.

As we begin each project, we immerse ourselves in the environment by crafting a mood board — a curated collection of imagery, materials, colors, and textures that resonate with the story we want to tell. This process grounds us in context, offering a visual narrative that’s both emotive and practical. Whether it’s the silhouette of a gabled roof against a snowy sky, the rhythmic repetition of windows in a historic factory, or rich brown woods framing a log cabin, architectural elements help us shape spaces and designs with purpose, personality, and place in mind. Inspiration isn’t something we wait for — it’s something we build from what’s already around us.

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Milwaukee Business Journal Real Estate Awards finalist

As Architects, we have the privilege of designing spaces that inspire, reflect, and leave a lasting impact on communities. This has been especially true in our work on the Waukesha Parade Memorial. 

With the Waukesha community in mind, we created a welcoming space where everyone can gather to relax, connect, and heal. Grede Park and the Memorial statues stand as symbols of this vision. We are honored that this meaningful project has earned us a spot as a finalist for the Milwaukee Business Journal Real Estate Awards. 

This achievement would not have been possible without an incredible team who helped bring our vision to life, including Core 4 Engineering as the Structural Engineer, JSD Professional Services as the Civil Engineer, and InSite Landscape Design as the Landscape Architect. THANK YOU TEAM!

#ThriveArchitects #MilwaukeeArchitects #WisconsinArchitects #MilwaukeeBusinessJournal #MilwaukeeBusinessJournalRealEstateAwards #CommunityArchitecture #CommercialArchitecture #TeamWork 

The Grand Hills Castle Senior Living: A Landmark Expansion Unveiled

With great pride, the Thrive team is able to share the latest addition to The Grand Hills Castle Senior Living—a thoughtfully designed 68,000-square-foot expansion that enhances both form and function. This three-year endeavor seamlessly integrates with the existing CBRF facility, introducing 55 new residential units within a three-story structure.

Designed with both aesthetics and livability in mind, the expansion features a Green Room, where residents can engage in gardening and horticultural activities, an In-Home Theater, offering a cinematic escape, and an Adult Day Care space, providing essential services in a warm, community-centered environment. Underground parking ensures convenience, while a composite patio extends the living experience into the outdoors, creating a seamless connection between architecture and nature. This thoughtfully designed expansion elevates both lifestyle and comfort with a range of enhanced amenities.

Our efforts were made possible by the incredible team at Thrive and everyone who contributed. A heartfelt thank you to all!

Owner: Castle Senior Living

General Contractor: Duffek Construction

Interiors: Sarah Anderson Interiors

Owner’s Rep: Mann Edge (John Mann)

#ThriveArchitects #MilwaukeeArchitects #WisconsinArchitects #CommercialArchitecture #TheGrandHillsCastle #NewBerlinWisconsin #TeamWork