When the University of Wisconsin’s Men’s Hockey program approached Thysse to update their team offices, the mission was clear: reintroduce the spirit of Badger Hockey into a space that had, frankly, lost its edge.

“They’d had this office space for a while, and it just didn’t reflect the program anymore,” says Kris Marconnet, Senior Experiential Designer at Thysse. “Recruiting matters. Environment matters. This was a chance to create a home that speaks to both.”

The design team led with a bold move: a trophy wall positioned right at the reception area. “There was this dramatic, dark wall just asking for something iconic,” Kris recalls. “We treated it as the big reveal. You come in and boom—there’s that motion ‘W’ against an ice-like texture. It’s clean, powerful, and immediate.”

To bring movement into the stillness, the team used dimensional materials and crisp typographic contrast. “The soffit above the entry now features key program phrases—just little punches of identity that tie everything together,” Kris adds.

The heritage of UW Hockey runs deep. But that doesn’t mean it had to scream. Throughout the space, elements like frosted privacy vinyl and elegant SEG fabric frame photos convey that legacy with intention.

“Even small things mattered. In the conference room, we added a privacy band with subtle rink lines and clean typography. It’s functional, but it’s also storytelling,” says Kris.

Every room was considered. From the player entrance to Head Coach Mike Hastings’ office, custom wall graphics and layered material choices subtly reinforced identity. “Hastings’ office has these column wraps and a sleek visual tone that balances authority with warmth.”

One of the most thoughtful aspects of the project was designing for context. “Hockey culture is emotional and competitive, but the design still needed to feel mature,” Kris notes. “So, we asked: How can this space reflect a legacy program, while still being exciting to a 17-year-old recruit walking in for the first time?”

The answer: Let the environment speak through layers. Visual depth, clean finishes, and a pace to the storytelling that unfolds as you move through the space.

This wasn’t just about aesthetics. Everything needed to be built to last.

“These are high-traffic spaces, full of movement and energy,” Kris says. “We had to think about durability, install logistics, maintenance... the whole game plan.”

Thysse’s team selected materials and fabrication methods with longevity in mind. Installations were sequenced and staged to minimize disruption to team operations.

“With projects like this, the most successful ones are the ones you don’t have to fix later,” Kris says. “That’s what makes a great design—when it disappears into the experience and just works.”

This project is part of a broader reinvestment in Wisconsin Men’s Hockey under new leadership. It’s also a prime example of how environments play a strategic role in athletic success.

And that’s what Thysse brings to every sports environment: not just graphics, but a full-on game plan for how design can reinforce culture and values to elevate program performance.

The University of Wisconsin Hockey lobby and offices were originally constructed in 1998 and the space has remained unchanged for almost twenty years. With a head coaching change and a renewed focus on winning National Championships, it was appropriate to demo and completely renovate the space. UW Athletics asked Thysse to provide experiential (environmental) graphics for the new space. Thysse partnered with general contractor J.P. Cullen on the project, to design new features and modify existing elements for the new space. Working closely with the general contractor allowed Thysse to identify and address electrical and structural needs early on in the project, saving money and time in an already tight project schedule.

Thysse partnered with general contractor J.P. Cullen on the project, to design new features and modify existing elements for the new space. Working closely with the general contractor allowed Thysse to identify and address electrical and structural needs early on in the project, saving money and time in an already tight project schedule.

 Visit thysse.com or reach out to your Thysse rep to learn more about how we bring sports spaces to life.