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1375 East Court Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa is the address for this modern facility that houses more than 90 employees of the two agencies. It is modeled to consume 63 percent less energy than a typical office building of similar size that is compliant with the Iowa Energy Code and an onsite photovoltaic renewable energy source will contribute about 12.5 of its total energy use. The building features a long list of energy efficiency measures highlighted by a geo-thermal heating and cooling system, which provides the largest energy savings, as well as super-efficient precast concrete wall panels with integrated edge-to-edge rigid insulation, the daylight harvesting solar screens and two long building wings in a V-shaped design for maximum use of daylight, an energy management system that includes lighting and occupancy sensors throughout the building and special plug outlet controls in employee work spaces, a water management system that reduces water use by about 46 percent, and operable windows for use on temperate days.
The Des Moines office of Berkebile Nelson Immenschuh McDowell Architects (BNIM Architects) of Kansas City, Missouri was the lead designer of the building. BNIM also recently designed a “green” building for the State of Missouri and is working with the tornado devastated town of Greensburg, Kansas as it rebuilds itself as a “green” community. General contractor for the building was J. P. Cullen and Sons of Janesville, Wisconsin. The century old contractor has a number of public building projects to its credit in several states.
For developing this State office building, BNIM Architects, the IUB, and the OCA have been named the commercial winner of the Built Environment Award as part of the Environmental Impact Awards of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Center on Sustainable Communities, and Metro Waste Authority. The awards honor local organizations and leaders for their sustainability efforts in the Greater Des Moines area.
The State has applied for the highest certification, LEED Platinum, from the U.S. Green Building Council. The building was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance in areas of energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.
The building’s April 28, 2011, dedication program included remarks from Board Member Rob Berntsen, Iowa Department of Administrative Services Director Mike Carroll, Governor Terry Branstad, Deputy Attorney General Eric Tabor, Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner and former Board Member John Norris, and Consumer Advocate Mark Schuling.
  
The IUB and OCA already have provided many building tours to utilities, utility industry groups, colleges and universities, and other interested organizations from the general public. State of Iowa employees toured the new building on Earth Day. Governor Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, and other dignitaries participated in afternoon tours during a two-hour open house at the dedication event.
The new building replaces leased space occupied by the two agencies. By state law they are to be co-located. The building is not being paid for with general fund money but is being financed through public bonds. Twenty-year bonds financed the construction of the new building and the bonds are being retired with funds that had gone to monthly lease payments by the agencies.
For additional information:
Building Announcement News Release - July 10, 2009
BNIM Technical Specifications Worksheet.
LEED Platinum Designation (off-site)
Building Dedication News Release – April 28, 2011
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