Kum & Go, Renzo Piano and OPN celebrate Krause Gateway Center groundbreaking
OPN Architects joined state and local officials, architect Renzo Piano, and Kum & Go leaders and associates on Oct. 20 to celebrate the groundbreaking of Krause Gateway Center at 1459 Grand Ave. in Des Moines. Kum & Go CEO & President Kyle J. Krause, Governor of Iowa Terry E. Branstad, Mayor of Des Moines Frank Cownie and Pritzker prize-winning architect Renzo Piano gave remarks at the event before the crowd of 200 was invited to participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking. After the event, shovels and hardhats will be donated to Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity. The new building is expected to be complete in early 2018.
As the the architect-of-record for the five-story Krause Gateway Center, OPN Architects provided architectural counsel and construction drawings. Internationally renowned architect Renzo Piano Building Workshop was chosen to design the building. Ryan Companies US, Inc., is the construction partner. The building in downtown Des Moines just north of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park was designed to provide associates at Kum & Go, a Midwest-based convenience store and gas station chain, a modern and highly collaborative work environment that offers flexibility for growth in the years to come. Building highlights include:
- Natural, abundant light throughout the building
- Collaborative work environments
- Outdoor meeting space
- Rooftop garden
- Dedicated space for training
- Multi-purpose room for all-company gatherings and events
- Fitness room and adjoining locker room
- Game room
- Art collection
- 225 underground parking spaces for associates
“Lightness, simplicity, and openness are the main concepts expressed in the design,” says Renzo Piano, founder of Renzo Piano Building Workshop and architect for the project. “The four vast planes flying over the site will emphasize the lightness and the transparency of the building, and will dialogue with the sculpture park nearby.” Designed to achieve LEED certification, the plans incorporate a large green roof to decrease the impact of energy use and water runoff. Roof overhangs further reduce energy consumption, as well as provide architectural interest to the design. It was important to Kum & Go for the building to be an eye-catching design but also play nice with its neighbors. A fully landscaped plaza will surround the building and serve as an extension of the Sculpture Park. Designs were released in July 2015 and the project is expected be complete in early 2018.