Metal buildings, such as the Iowa Prison Industries Outlet Building, often don’t get much recognition in design award programs. They tend not to have the flash and glamour of the more self-conscious buildings that are entered. But the
Metal Architecture Design Award judges were thrilled to recognize the Des Moines, Iowa, building for its simple refinement, thoughtful solutions to lighting and excellent use of the site. “A simple, elegant solution,” says Mark DeWalt. “The building shows what can be achieved with standard metal components and some design talent.”
When Brent Schipper, AIA, LEED AP, principal of ASK Studio, Des Moines, took on the project, he not only needed to bring the design talent, but also a pace of design and construction that was astounding. From first design meeting to the end of construction, the entire project took a mere six months.
Under that time constraint and with a $700,000 construction budget, a metal building became an excellent solution. “One of the fun things,” says Schipper, “was showing the owner what more a metal building could be.” Star Building Systems, Oklahoma City, supplied the building, roof and wall panels.
The building is a wholesale outlet for products made in the Iowa Prison system, such as desks and tables that are sold to school systems and non-profits. The site is two blocks from the state capitol and part of a neighborhood that is being revitalized. There is quite a bit of new construction in the area, and the surrounding buildings pop with color and engage the street with storefronts and sidewalk cafes.
The street front is on the north side, and Schipper designed that elevation to have all the windows. Offices along the front are brightly lit, and light shelves above them bounce light into the showroom area. The result is a brightly lit street elevation that reflects the dynamism of the neighborhood.
The site was also a restriction. “By the time we fit the building on the site with proper parking and storm water control, we maxed out the site and put as much building as the site would hold,” says Schipper. Instead of a simple box, the building slopes to the back of the site, offering a simple and efficient form. When spilled with light, the elevations with the fluted metal panels take on a more intricate aesthetic.
While the prison system may have been happy with a simple, dark warehouse, it received a bright, light-filled showroom that gives the building a strong presence and in a vibrant and revitalizing neighborhood. It was all possible because of the selection of the metal building system.
Iowa Prison Industries Outlet Building, Des Moines, Iowa
Completed: June 2010
Total Square Feet: 8,550 square feet
Owner: Iowa Prison Industries; Iowa Department of Corrections
Architect: ASK Studio, Des Moines, www.askstudio.com
General Contractor: Edge Commercial LLC, Grimes, Iowa
Meta l Building, Roof and Wall Panels: Star Building Systems, Oklahoma City, www.starbuildings.com