AL. Ringling Theatre

Baraboo, Wisconsin

The Al. Ringling Theatre, built in 1915, is one of the earliest examples of an American Movie Palace. Henneman Engineering provided engineering services to renovate this historical landmark and restore it to its former glory. This effort upgraded electrical distribution equipment and conductors to meet current code and upgraded facility lighting. The entire fire protection system was replaced and existing plumbing fixtures were replaced with new units. Air handling units (AHU’s) were converted to hot water from steam, and the auditorium AHU was replaced with a variable volume system. This project received the 2017 American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Historic Rehabilitation and the 2016 Madison Trust for Historic Preservation Restoration Award.

Henneman Engineering provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering services.

System Improvements

• Replaced aging and failing steam boilers and distribution system with hot water system
• Replaced supply fans, exhaust fans, heating coils, and cooling coils within a new, custom-built AHU built into the basement of the facility reutilizing existing sub-surface ductwork and piping
• Replaced all pneumatic controls with direct digital control (DDC) system
• Programmed AHU and DDC systems to allow for demand control ventilation if theater is used more frequently in future
• Replaced condensate pumps that had failed or were beyond their useful life expectancy
• Replaced existing lighting fixtures with energy efficient LED versions
• Full design of new fire alarm system