Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities

Surrounded by a restored native Iowa tall grass prairie, this award-winning design saves 55% of the energy costs of a comparable code-compliant building. The building’s placement and orientation along an east-west axis maximize daylight and simplify solar control, and recycled, environmentally friendly materials are incorporated from the foundation to interior finishes. The project is a living laboratory and an important public model for sustainable design on a limited budget.

Designed before the LEED certification system was in place, this office and training facility used sustainable design methods to create a healthy and productive work space with minimal environmental impact. Surrounded by a restored native Iowa tall grass prairie, this award-winning design saves 55% of the energy costs of a comparable code-compliant building. Features include: daylight harvesting, geo-thermal heating & cooling, and a wetland septic system.