The University of Iowaâs new Visual Arts Building is a 126,000-sf facility that will house the functions of the School of Art & Art history, which were previously held in the universityâs 1936 Art Building. The new building provides a space for ceramics, sculpture, metals, photography, printmaking, 3D design, intermedia, animation, and graphic design. There is also space for graduate student studies, faculty and staff studios and offices, and gallery space.
The Visual Arts Building uses a punched concrete frame structure composed of cast-in-place concrete to provide thermal mass at the exterior of the building. Meanwhile, âbubbleâ slabs that incorporate the Cobiax bubble deck system provide radiant cooling and heating.
BNIM, which worked in collaboration with Steven Holl Architects, designed the irregular shape of the building through the use of computer modeling software. This same software was also used to coordinate the installation of the exposed mechanical pipes and ductwork, which proved to be a complex task.
Significant daylighting, natural ventilation at the atrium skylight, thermal mass storage, a thermal active slab heating and cooling system, and highly efficient HVAC systems are key components of the design.
These design components work toward the ultimate goal of the building, which is to provide as much connection and communication between departments as possible. A key aspect of this is the vertical carving out of large open floor plates. Additionally, several vertical cutouts are designed to increase the interaction between the facilityâs four levels. The stairs have also been shaped to increase interaction and discussion among the buildingâs users. Some of the sculptural open stairs stop at large landings with tables and chairs while others open into lounge spaces with built in seating.
The Visual Arts Building officially opened on Oct. 7.
Related Stories
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | May 3, 2022
For glass openings, how big is too big?
Advances in glazing materials and glass building systems offer a seemingly unlimited horizon for not only glass performance, but also for the size and extent of these light, transparent forms. Both for enclosures and for indoor environments, novel products and assemblies allow for more glass and less opaque structureâoften in places that previously limited their use.
Education Facilities | Apr 28, 2022
ProConnect Education (K-12 to University) comes to Scottsdale, AZ, Dec 4-6
ProConnect Education 2022 will attract building product specifiers and manufacturers to the Andaz Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz., in December.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Apr 27, 2022
New Univ. of Texas Moody Center houses menâs and womenâs basketball, other events
The recently completed 530,000 sf University of Texas Moody Center is the new home for menâs and womenâs basketball at the Austin campus.
Architects | Apr 22, 2022
Top 10 green building projects for 2022
The American Institute of Architects' Committee on the Environment (COTE) has announced its COTE Top Ten Awards for significant achievements in advancing climate action.
University Buildings | Apr 18, 2022
SmithGroup to design new Univ. of Colorado Denver engineering, design, computing building
The University of Colorado Denver selected SmithGroup to design a new engineering, design, and computing building that will serve as anchor of new downtown innovation district.
Projects | Apr 1, 2022
University complex encourages exchange between academics and residents
In the small Danish city of Horsens, C.F. Møller Architects has created a university complex that unites higher education with urban lifeâcreating synergies among students, staff, businesses, and residents
Energy-Efficient Design | Mar 25, 2022
University of Pittsburgh Releases âPitt Climate Action Planâ
The University of Pittsburgh has released the Pitt Climate Action Plan, detailing how the University will achieve its goal to go carbon neutral by 2037 through investments in clean energy, transportation, efficiency and other areas.
Higher Education | Mar 24, 2022
Higher education sector sees 19 percent reduction in facilities investments
Colleges and universities face a growing backlog of capital needs and funding shortfalls, according to Gordianâs 2022 State of Facilities in Higher Education report.Â
Projects | Mar 16, 2022
Tomorrowâs STEM leaders get a state-of-the-art research complex
In February, North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University (NC A&T) opened its new Engineering Research & Innovation Complex (ERIC).
University Buildings | Mar 7, 2022
A new facility can offer thousands of equine therapy sessions a year
At its new Spur campus in Denver, Colorado State University (CSU) will bring its expertise to the public by offering free educational experiences to visitors of all ages. Spurâs three buildingsâHydro, Terra, and Vidaâwill focus, respectively, on water, earth, and life.Â