Iowa Utilities Board - Office of Consumer Advocate

Location	1375 East Court Avenue Des Moines , IA United States 41° 35' 22.0344" N, 93° 35' 52.098" W See map: Google Maps Iowa US
Size	44,640
Completion Date	2011
Project Type	Interiors, Workplace, Government, LEED
Services	Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Workplace Planning
LEED Program	NC 2.2

Main Content

Description

BNIM designed this energy efficient office building to house the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) and the Office of the Consumer Advocate (OCA). An infill development on the State of Iowa Capitol Complex in downtown Des Moines, the project was developed on a challenging, awkwardly proportioned landfill site and serves to create a gateway to the complex at its southeast corner. The building serves as a testament to the sustainable stewardship of the State of Iowa. It is a model office building demonstrating proven, cost-effective energy efficiency measures for new construction.

The building is organized into two wings: the north wing comprises the IUB, while the south wing is comprised of the OCA on level two and common space on level one. The common space includes a hearing room, conference center and lounge space. Linking the two wings is a two-story lobby housing vertical circulation and service functions. An entrance courtyard sits between the wings and a plaza space is located off of the south wing.

The project was designed to integrate replicable sustainable strategies; serving as a demonstration project for other government facilities at the state and local level, and also for the general public and private enterprise. While many of the employed strategies are "off the shelf" to various degrees or have been used elsewhere, what makes this application particularly significant is the multitude of strategies integrated together to truly achieve a building of exemplary energy performance.

The facility is consuming 75 percent less energy than a code compliant building.

Quotes

“From the beginning BNIM was active in achieving our goals for the highest levels of energy efficiency. Our headquarters building demonstrates that an elegant, high performance workspace that also inspires high performance among its occupants can be achieved on a state budget. The success of IUB/OCA is a testament to integrated design and close collaboration with a focused architectural partner, such as BNIM.” - Judi Cooper, Deputy Executive Secretary

“The BNIM team stressed collaboration from the start of the project and involved the State of Iowa and the building occupants in every aspect of planning. They have been excellent to work with and delivered a successful project which has exceeded our expectations.” - Joan Conrad, Executive Secretary/Chief of Staff, Iowa Utilities Board

“Knowing the potential impact of thermal envelope losses on low energy buildings, the team was obsessive about thermal bridges. In addition to systems such as the precast sandwich panel skin with non-thermally conducting ties, details were innovated to eliminate thermal bridging at major building element interfaces, a significant source of loss in traditional construction.” - Carey Nagle, AIA, BNIM

“The team saw the impact of their work was bigger than just the building. It was to set an example for other government buildings. It was obvious that every design decision that needed to be made in support of the climate strategy was really made. There was a rigor and focus to the execution that you don’t see in most projects.” - 2012 AIA COTE Top Ten Projects Selection Committee, Jury Comments

“This is a very well-done project. There is a real rigor in the execution of the parti. Most standard work spaces aren’t very rewarding, but these really are. And the stair is beautiful. So delicate. The views that are framed are well-considered.” - 2011 AIA Kansas, Design Awards Jury Comments “Beautifully executed building with outstanding energy performance.” - 2012 AIA Iowa, Design Awards Jury Comment

“Board Chairwoman [Elizabeth Jacobs] called the building ‘a wonderful demonstration’ of energy efficiency. [Iowa Governor Terry Branstad] called the 44,460-square-foot structure ‘a treasure for the Capitol Complex.’” - Des Moines Register article, March 5, 2013

Metrics

81% more efficient than the national office building average (16.7 kBTU/sf per year)

21.2% of energy generated from photovoltaic panels

95% of the regularly occupied spaces in the building have daylight

98% of building receives enough daylight that lights are off during daylight hours

89% of construction waste was recycled 46% reduction of regulated potable water

Awards

AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE)

Top Ten + Award

2014

IIDA Mid America

Mid-America Design Awards - Silver Award, Civic & Government

2013

ASHARE Iowa Chapter

Technology Awards - First Place

2013

Architectural Record

Good Design is Good Business

2013

CoreNet Global

CoreNet Global Innovator’s Award Nominee

2012

AIA Iowa

Merit Award of Excellence

2012

AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE)

Top Ten Green Projects Award

2012

Center on Sustainable Communities (COSC)

Environmental Impact Awards - Commercial Winner, Built Environment Category

2011

AIA Kansas City

Merit Award

2011

AIA Kansas

Merit Award

2011

AIA Iowa

Merit Award

2011

AIA Central States Region

Merit Award, Excellence in Architecture

2011

https://www.bnim.com/sites/default/files/project_pdfs/iowa-utilities-board-office-of-consumer-advocate_0.pdf