Location
Ames, Iowa
Year
2021
Size
130,000 SF
Client
Iowa State University
Project Team
Paul Mankins
Paolo Orlando
Jeff Wagner
Kevin Wagner
Iowa State University’s athletic department envisioned the Stark Performance Center (SPC) as a comprehensive hub that provides all student-athletes with the tools needed to succeed during their scholastic and athletic careers. As part of a broader campus development including the Bergstrom Football Practice Facility and Olsen Olympic Sports Facility the SPC aimed to bring student-athletes together, providing new services and facilities.
The challenge was to seamlessly integrate this new 130,000-square foot state-of-the-art structure with existing adjacent facilities and in alignment with the University's Master Plan. The solution was a four-story building with a significant cantilever on the upper levels, optimizing program space while maximizing the adjacent plaza space for circulation and gathering.
The SPC stands as a functional and architectural landmark adjacent to Jack Trice Stadium. It was designed as a simple precast 'box', connecting directly to the Bergstrom Football Complex and supporting a larger cantilevered glass and metal curtain wall structure. The building includes a press conference room, dining hall/nutrition center, classrooms, learning labs, and a mental health/wellness room, uniting academic achievement, mental and physical wellness, and career planning for all sports teams and each one of ISU’s 450 student-athletes. The SPC not only complements the existing campus architecture but also allows for potential expansions, marking a significant step in the University's athletic development strategy.
Bird's eye sketch of stadium complex
The SPC’s robust structure and flexible layout are adaptable for future expansions to accommodate the evolving needs of ISU's athletic programs. The building's integration with the surrounding landscape and its capability to blend with future structures exemplify a future-ready approach. The design of this LEED® Certified building not only aligns with ISU's Master Plan for athletic facilities but also demonstrates a commitment to sustainable, long-term development, positioning the SPC as a cornerstone in the University's vision for the future of its athletic infrastructure.
Wendy Wintersteen, Iowa State University President
Site plan
Floor plans
The strategic addition of a lively plaza and interactive public art transforms the building entry into a festive, engaging area for fans. These features amplify the stadium's ambiance and serve as gathering points on game day, fostering community spirit and excitement. The design thoughtfully integrates these elements into the architectural narrative, ensuring that they complement the overall experience for Cyclone fans, turning game days into memorable events that extend beyond the stadium.
MEPT Engineer
MODUS Engineering
Structural Engineer
Raker Rhodes Engineering LLC
Civil Engineer
Snyder & Associates, Inc.
Landscape Architect
Confluence
Vertical Transportation
Lerch Bates
Sustainability Consultant
C-Wise Design and Consulting LLC
Foodservice Design
Rippe Associates
Acoustics
Acoustics by JW Mooney LLC
Lighting Design
Trivalent Lighting Studio
Estimating/Preconstruction
The Weitz Company
Building Code & Life Safety
Jensen Hughes
Insulated Metal Panels
SGH Concepts
Metal Soffit
Artisan
General Contractor
Neumann Brothers
2022 International Architecture Awards - Honorable Mention
The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture & Design and The European Centre Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies
2022 Athletic Showcase Awards
Athletic Business
2022 Master Builder Award (with Neumann Brothers)
Master Builders of Iowa
2021 Construction Excellence Award (with Artisan Ceiling Systems and Acoustical Specialties)
CISCA - Ceilings & Interior Systems Construction Association
2021 Excellence in Concrete – Mid-Rise Buildings (with Manatt’s Inc.)
Iowa Ready Mixed Concrete Association and American Concrete Institute-Iowa Chapter
June 2022 Athletic Business
Photography by Corey Gaffer
