The new Gerdin Building expansion at Iowa State University creates a dynamic nexus and intellectual center for the Ivy College of Business. The design expands the College’s ability to foster collaboration and innovation among business scholars through modern teaching methodologies, impactful research, and community engagement. BNIM and Story Construction formed an integrated design/build team in response to the university’s request for design and cost proposals. The team outlined below was organized prior to being selected by ISU for the project and incorporated a highly integrated problem-solving design methodology utilizing LEAN methodologies for design which Story Construction has defined as CP2.0. The team was tasked with not only providing a design that minimizes the impacts on natural resources and the environment, but to also provide a human-purposed setting for improved performance by students and faculty. The resulting design is focused on creating a building that is comfortable and provides a spectrum of spaces and qualities that promote the creation of community.

Strategic spatial organization, refined programming, and simplicity in design have resulted in seamless integration of the expansion with the original building, maintaining and upholding a timeless campus aesthetic. The expansion provides a complementary massing and incorporates matching stone, glass, and brick masonry on the exterior while the circulation system inside extends the logic of the existing building diagram. Creative solutions for universal design and access have allowed the design of the expansion to manage grade changes on the site to graciously allow access for all.  An axis extending from the campanile from the west entrance through Granite Hall and east entrance becomes a centralizing circulation element and key concept for the organization of the expansion. A spacious central lobby will become the heart of the entire building, This area will provide a logical connection of space through a central volume and core informal meeting space for ongoing collaboration. This daylit heart to the building, as well as increased quality of pedagogical space, will create a setting that enhances the student, faculty, and visitor experience and reinforces the high-quality brand of the Ivy College of Business.

INTEGRATED DESIGN-BUILD TEAM

• BNIM / Story Construction: Design / Build Team Leaders
• Design Engineers: MEPT Engineering
• KPFF Engineering: Structural Engineering
• CDF Inc.: Landscape Architecture / Civil Engineering
• C&C Consulting: Acoustical Engineering
• Baker Group: MEP Design Assist and Construction
• Baker Electric: Electrical Design Assist and Construction
• Heartland Finishes: Exterior Shell and Interiors
• SMI / AWS: Exterior Envelope