University of Iowa Student Commons

Additional Info

Award Winner : DIRTT Environmental Solutions

Architectural Excellence : The University of Iowa wanted to improve the physical learning space to reflect the scholastic achievement students and staff expected. With real estate at a premium due to flood damage, they decided to take an existing administration area and turn it into a state of the art learning commons. Private study rooms and open area collaboration areas fill the space.
Staff have noted a significant increase in student use of the entire library thanks to this renovation using custom prefab construction.

Cost Energy Effectiveness : Labor savings and schedule savings are paramount in the budgeting of an interior prefab construction project. The space only needed to be brought to the level of what could be called a "warm shell" with HVAC, flooring materials and lighting done on-site, while the majority of elements were being produced in parallel in the controlled factory setting.

Design Firm Name : Smith Metzger

Green Building Description : The use of an existing building is one of the biggest steps in environmental sustainability. Further, designing the student spaces with lots of glass allows for the maximum daylighting even though the space has minimal exterior windows.
The adaptability of the space ensures minimizing any demolition or renovation material waste as changes are required for the space.

Installer Firm Name : Pigott

Occupied Date : 10/7/2013

Owner Firm Name : Universtiy of Iowa

Production Start Date : 9/1/2013

Project Location City : Iowa City

Project Location State Name : Iowa

Technical Innovation : Due to DIRTT's ability to create custom solutions as a daily activity on a two-week lead-time, the challenge of working around the old building's preexisting columns and ceiling heights were easily solved.
Another important aspect for seeing success was the ability to integrate the best technology the school's budget could afford. Thanks to the short lead-time they were able to wait until the last possible minute to choose the appropriate technology and have the comfort of knowing they can continually access the walls to maintain or replace the technology.

Total Square Feet : 45000