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Krause Gateway Center

Des Moines / USA

The Krause Gateway Center is situated in the Western Gateway of downtown Des Moines and to the north of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park. In recent years the Western Gateway has been undergoing a rebirth of urban development and the Krause Gateway Center is the latest edition to the dynamic transformation. The building includes the new Kum & Go corporate headquarters as well as offices for the other companies within the Krause Group.

A large building with a lot of windows is sitting on top of a lush green field
© Michel Denancé
 

A landmark for a community driven company

 

Since the beginning in 1959, Kum & Go stores have been proudly serving and employing the people of Iowa and have grown to do so in many of the surrounding states as well. In nearly 60 years of business the stores and brand have come to play an important role in the communities which they serve and the inherent sense of responsibility to community and company associates formed the underpinnings of the new corporate headquarters.

A large building with a lot of windows is lit up at night
© Michel Denancé
A white drawing of a building on a blue background
© Renzo Piano
A large building with a lot of windows is lit up at night
© Michel Denancé
A large glass building with a lot of windows and chairs
An aerial view of a building with trees around it
© RPBW
 

Integrating a corporate headquarters into the city

 
 

The location provides all the amenities of a vibrant city within a couple blocks; a mix of corporate, retail, residential, cultural, and culinary sites. In addition, the site is across the street from one of the most important aspects of a downtown core – an urban park. A mix of historical and contemporary buildings surround the Pappajohn Sculpture Park which was immediately considered as an extension to the project site. The adoption of the sculpture park, study of the elevation change between Ingersoll St. and Grand Ave., and the value of civic engagement shared by both Kyle Krause and Renzo Piano Building Workshop all lead to the concept of transparency and openness at the street level. The effect is that the building is not a barrier but instead fosters a literal two-way dialogue between the associates who work within the building, the public, and the city. The experience on the office floors above is also enhanced by the virtually invisible façade which allows unobstructed 360-degree views, as well as the extra-long overhangs which protect the interior spaces from direct solar radiation.

 
A cross section of a building with a green roof
© RPBW
A large building with a lot of windows is lit up at night
A couple of people are walking down a long hallway in a building
© Michel Denancé
A man is walking up a set of stairs in an office building
© Michel Denancé

Reimagining the quality of workspace environments

 

At approximately 160,000 square feet, the 6-storey building includes office space for 800 people, a 2-storey underground parking garage, a dedicated art space, large multifunctional meeting rooms, a fitness centre, and a massive exterior terrace. Above all, the green roof - an Iowan short grass prairie in the air – gives associates a quiet and private outdoor space to take a break, gaze into the horizon, and enjoy sculptures from the Krause collection which are placed within the native grasses. Further to the concept of enhancing civic life, the building encloses only 25% of the site, leaving the rest for the public to enjoy within the 100+ trees and interactive landscape furniture. A café is also planned for the Grand Ave lobby which will include exterior seating.

 
A large building with a lot of windows is sitting in the middle of a park
© Michel Denancé
A building with a lot of windows and trees reflected in the windows
© Michel Denancé
A large conference room with tables and chairs in a glass building
© Michel Denancé
A group of people are standing in front of a brick building
© RPBW

Project Details

Status

2015 - 2018

Client

Kum & Go

Design

Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with OPN Architects (Des Moines), architects

Design Team

G.Bianchi (partner in charge), K.Schorn (associate in charge), J.P.Azares with V.Chandrasegar, D.Karaiskaki, A Paya Piqueras and M.Cecchetto, Q.Gu, F.Tessitore; D.Tsagkaropoulos (CGI); O.Aubert, C.Colson, Y.Kyrkos (models)

Consultants

Robert Silman Associates (structure); Baker (mechanical); Wolin (electrical); Arup (sustainability, lighting); Front (façade); Confluence (landscaping); Stuart-Lynn (cost consultant); Ryan Companies (construction manager)

Awards

Structural Engineering Association of New York - Excellence in Structural Engineering: New Buildings (2019)
Master Builders of Iowa - Masters Award Over $25 Million (2019)
Building Design + Construction - Gold Award, Building Team Awards (2019)
Iowa Ready Mixed Concrete Association - Mid-Rise Buildings, Excellence in Concrete (2019)
American Society of Landscape Architects, Iowa Chapter - Award of Excellence, Design-Built (2019)
American Society of Landscape Architects, Iowa Chapter - Honor Award, Design-Built (2019)
AIA, Iowa Chapter - Honor Award, Excellence in Craft (2019)
ACEC New York Silver Award in the category of: Building/Technology Systems (2020)
Architizer - Popular Choice A+ Award, Mid-Rise (5-15 Floors) Office Category (2020)
AIA, Central States Region - Honorable Mention, Excellence in Design (2020)