In the summer 2025 issue of Green Building & Design magazine, Mulva Cultural Center is profiled for its civic mission, environmental performance, and role in shaping a new cultural hub in De Pere, Wisconsin. Described as “the new cultural destination of the Midwest,” the project reflects a vision for architecture that invites community, supports cultural life, and endures over time.
Located along the Fox River, the 73,800-square-foot center was commissioned by James and Miriam Mulva as a gift to their hometown. It includes a 200-seat auditorium, flexible exhibition halls, educational spaces, dining areas, and river-facing terraces. Elevated on a limestone plinth and enclosed in triple-insulated glass, the design balances openness and performance while framing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. “Our goal was to create something timeless and welcoming,” said Design Partner Scott Duncan. “Jim [Mulva] wanted this to feel like De Pere’s living room—a place where people would come and hang out.”
The article details the building’s advanced sustainability features, including a geothermal heat recovery system that distributes heating and cooling via radiant floors and air handling units. A cantilevered steel canopy and skylights offer passive shading, while motorized timber blinds—hidden within the ceiling—provide additional solar control along the 50-foot-tall, west-facing glass wall. Triple-insulated, bird-safe glazing and locally sourced limestone further reinforce the building envelope’s performance and resilience.
Mulva Cultural Center is now fully operational, offering year-round programming that reflects its mission as both a community gathering place and a regional beacon for arts and culture.