College of Nursing Building Modifications

BNIM Architects

Recognitions: AIA Iowa 2020 Design Award, Spring 2020 Iowa Architect

Project Description

The University of Iowa Nursing building was built in 1971. A brutalist concrete mid-century modern structure, it houses programming for the College of Nursing, including on-campus curriculum as well as continuing education. Sited on the West campus and positioned high on a limestone bluff 40 feet above road level, the glass façade around the perimeter of the first level of the three-story building provides unprecedented views east across the Iowa River towards downtown Iowa City and the state capitol. While the original structure made a powerful architectural statement, over time, the spaces inside became inefficient programmatically for the College’s needs. A loop corridor on the perimeter of the interior left classroom, lab, and office spaces relegated to the building core, windowless and with little to no access to natural daylight. For the renovation, the design teams focus was on students and the University community. The space was designed to be inviting to new nursing students and visitors from across campus, support active learning and modern health science pedagogical objectives, and encourage interaction and collaboration among budding nursing professionals. A systematic approach to the reorganization of spaces was based on the building’s original five-foot module. Giving light back to the occupants and the spaces most used became the primary objective. The perimeter circulation became student commons areas, and rearranging walls with floor to ceiling glass partitions for lab and classroom spaces allow for natural daylight to penetrate nearly all occupiable spaces. Programming for the new space includes an entry lobby, offices, the dean’s suite, general assignment classrooms, student commons, and administration spaces. By maximizing the buildings potential and focusing on a long life, loose fit approach to a flexible and forward-looking learning environment, the College of Nursing renovation offers the University a highly efficient space centered on human health and productivity.