U.S. General Services Administration Tenant Office Relocation

Occupying the entire fourth floor of a multi-tenant building in downtown Des Moines, IA, this office for a General Services Administration (GSA) tenant presented unique challenges and opportunities. Program areas are arranged around the existing building core functions, with careful annexing of former public areas to improve circulation within the secure office while still maintaining public access to building egress and restroom functions.

Within the suite, offices and conference rooms were pushed to the perimeter of the floor plate to provide views and daylight to the most frequently occupied rooms. The interior walls of the offices are glass to allow light to filter into the circulation and support spaces. Freestanding kitchenette and copy areas are located at each end of the floor, acting as hubs for interaction and strengthening wayfinding throughout the space. U.S. Department of Justice design and security standards are achieved while providing necessary public access.

The interior design of the space strikes a balance between the opulence typical of law offices and the fiscal accountability of public service. Offices are clean, modern, and neutral, allowing the panoramic views of downtown Des Moines to be the focus. The public-facing lobby and main conference room feature dark blue draperies, creating a sense of drama and importance. The library uses millwork to create a sense of seclusion from the rest of the office, perfect for research or informal meetings while a white, overlapping slat wall defines the primary circulation corridors.