Art Building West Flood Recovery

Following a 2008 flood of the Iowa River, 20 buildings on the University of Iowa campus sustained damage. The Steven Holl-designed University of Iowa Art & Art History Building had nearly five feet of water above the grade level, and water had completely filled the lower level mechanical and building infrastructure space. Once FEMA removed damaged finishes and systems, BNIM and its consultant team were entrusted to design and document the recovery of the building to its original condition. The design includes many flood mitigation design strategies, the design of a flood wall, university modifications, and relocation of building systems to an ancillary flood-proof structure.