The Project
As part of an effort to reenergize its multi-property Ho-Chunk Gaming brand in Wisconsin, the Ho-Chunk Nation initiated four concurrent expansion and renovation projects, three of which have been constructed at Wisconsin Dells, Black River Falls and Wittenberg, Wisconsin. The projects became opportunities to visually unite a reinterpretation of the Ho-Chunk brand in a common design language, while differentiating each property with their own unique regionally appropriate design features.
Exterior and Interior environments at each property integrate unexpected design elements inspired by the organic quality of the natural Wisconsin landscape, evoking a sense of belonging to its place, grounded in regional character. The team’s conceptual design process began by identifying elements that form the natural characteristics of each region – from the iconic natural rock striations of the Wisconsin Dells, to a tribute to the motion and the flow of Wisconsin’s Black River, to the shadowy pattern play on building façades inspired by the sunset streaming through Wisconsin’s white pine timbers. These unique elements inform the geometry, textures, colors and details of each space, richly detailed and layered in meaning.