Location
West Des Moines, Iowa
Year
2015
Size
420,200 SF; 1,412 stalls
Client
Confidential
Project Team
Todd Garner
Tim Hickman
Kevin Wagner
As an expansive corporate campus in West Des Moines, IA grew, so did the need for additional parking. The existing parking structure was not functioning optimally, and the design was uninspiring. The campus, located atop a hill that slopes in all directions, had views that the client did not want obstructed by more parking structures.
The challenge was to elevate this utilitarian infrastructure beyond low expectations, uninspired designs, and the functional and maintenance challenges of the existing facility. We needed to reimagine this parking solution to be efficient, visually appealing, and seamlessly integrated with the campus environment.
The parking structure solution focused on the seamless integration of the facility into the campus environment. The structure was designed to elegantly blend into the natural grade of the site, with four stories exposed on the downslope end and only two stories exposed adjacent to the office buildings. This allowed for the preservation of campus views as well as the provision of accessible pathways to every space in the ramp.
This project’s success story lies in its aesthetics and functionality. The design team used precast concrete to shield the vehicles from the exterior while obscuring structural elements with expanded metal screens. The result is a visually striking parking structure that camouflages into the landscape. The pedestrian loggia, transparent stairs, and sensitive use of materials make this an artful addition to the campus.
The entire campus sits atop a hill with a pastoral view. To prevent the parking structure from obstructing these vistas, the design team built the structure into the natural grade. This approach allowed for an unobstructed view from the campus while accommodating 1,400 vehicles in a two-story loggia-like structure that integrates seamlessly into the landscape.
One of the most innovative and unique aspects of the design is the lack of elevators. By leveraging the topography the parking structure is built into, we created a five-level facility where each level could be accessed directly from grade. This eliminated the need for elevators, reduced earthwork during construction, and allowed us to deliver a project that met cost expectations while exceeding aesthetic standards.
Mechanical Engineer
Baker Group
Electrical Engineer
Baker Electric
Structural Engineer
KPFF (formerly Saul Engineering)
Civil Engineer
Cooper Crawford Associates
Landscape Architect
Confluence
Sustainability Consultant
C-Wise Design and Consulting LLC
Parking Consultant
Walker Consultants
Glass and Glazing
Architectural Wall Systems
Fire Sprinklers
Blackhawk Automatic Sprinklers
Structural Steel
Construction Products Distributors, LLC
Precast Concrete Supplier
Coreslab Structures
Steel Erector
Northwest Steel Erection
Door and Hardware Supplier
Walsh Door and Hardware
Testing
Team Services
Horizontal Formwork Contractor
Ceco Concrete Construction
Caulking/Sealants
Midwest Caulking, Inc.
General Contractor
The Weitz Company
2018 American Architecture Award
Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture, Art and Design
2015 Honor Award - Excellence in Design
American Institute of Architects - Central States Region
2015 Honor Award - Excellence in Design
American Institute of Architects - Iowa Chapter
2018 Global Design & Urbanism XVlll
May 2016 Architect
Winter 2016 Iowa Architect
Photography by Paul Crosby Architectural Photography
