Design

Project Design Statement
The Alumni Center project will become the new ‘home’ for the Alumni Association and a destination for all university constituents. The Center will provide a clear identity, an accessible location for displaying the history of ISU, and be a beacon to others wishing to connect with Iowa State; creating a destination and place of engagement for all. This new facility will allow the Alumni Association administration, staff, and students to be unified; fostering a team building atmosphere. The new Alumni Center will connect the existing Iowa State Center building complex with Jack Trice Stadium and Reiman Gardens to tie together the external entertainment and event facilities of Iowa State University.

This project performs a unique and important function for Iowa State University and the Alumni Association. This facility is centrally located within the mass arrival location of the University which will stimulate developing relationships between all alumni, within one new Alumni Center. This will provide a holistic singular venue for these engagements to occur, thus promoting Iowa State University to Alumni, the community, and the state of Iowa.

The planning committee and design team have worked through the physical representation of the building architecture through many development meetings and discussions. A fluid process of presentations and critique has allowed for many alternatives to be explored during the schematic design phase. This has resulted in a project design that marries well with the Alumni Association’s needs and the aesthetic goals of the University and the Alumni Association.

The following artist renderings show the design of the future ISU Alumni Center:


    East Elevation


    East Perspective


   South Aerial Perspective
 

    West Perspective

About the Architects
Herbert Lewis Kruse Blunck Architecture is the continuation of Charles Herbert and Associates, an architectural practice established in Des Moines, Iowa in 1961. For more than 40 years the Firm has evolved from small, private commissions to more prominent public and institutional works. Throughout this time, however, the Firm has consistently worked to create architecture of the highest quality; an architecture of substance carefully tailored to the needs and aspirations of each client and community. This pursuit has resulted in a portfolio of significant and enduring buildings and has garnered the Firm a national reputation for creating sensible and successful design solutions.  Moreover, the body of work has helped elevate the design consciousness of architects and raised the bar for the region’s practitioners. As a result, the Firm has been, and continues to be, a major influence on architecture in the Midwest.

The fundamental principle which drives Herbert Lewis Kruse Blunck Architecture is an uncompromising commitment to design and project execution of the highest quality. Design is the Firm’s core competency, its marketing niche, and its near-religious conviction. Every project, be it grand or modest, is viewed as a design opportunity worthy of the best design effort. The success of this approach is evidenced by the over 250 awards for excellence in master planning, architectural design, urban design, and interior design. Among these award winners are a $2,000 children’s play space and a $25 million corporate office complex clearly indicating that this commitment to design obeys no boundaries of budget or scale.  This quest for excellence has consistently transcended specific project typologies, evidenced by a portfolio of work that includes carefully crafted historical restoration, raw factory spaces, artist studios, sophisticated corporate headquarters, rigorous retail interiors, thoughtful landscapes, and complex urban master plans.

Michael Bechtel
Mr. Bechtel’s design experience includes projects with a wide variety of function types, scopes, budgetary considerations, and physical settings. He promotes clear and organized planning, thorough problem definition, and creative problem solving while acutely managing projects. He fosters strong client rapport by elevating each project beyond the clients’ expectations with his team building style, and acute problem solving ability. His extensive experience working with out-of-state design team members, owners, and cities has provided him an excellent ability to bring large committee-based groups together to solve projects with diverse and complex issues.

He graduated from Kansas State University with a 5 year professional degree. While attending KSU he was in receipt of many design awards and had work displayed in the University art gallery and the Chang gallery. He has produced several state and regional award winning projects for Colleges and Universities such as University of Iowa, Palmer College of Chiropractic, and Missouri State University.

Mr. Bechtel has worked to enlighten and educate the public by working on publications such as the College of Architecture’s Oz Journal, and currently serving as an Associate Editor and Treasurer of Iowa Architect Magazine.

Jeff Shaffer '02
Mr. Shaffer is a Des Moines native and a 2002 graduate of Iowa State University, holding a professional Bachelor of Architecture degree.  At Iowa State, he was involved in various installation projects, including a permanent design-build installation in the Iowa State College of Design where he was in charge of a project team and oversaw funds from donated sources. 

He began his internship with Herbert Lewis Kruse Blunck in 2001, where he has continued his commitment to exceptional design and client satisfaction.  His experience with a diverse range of project types enables him to quickly understand and work with any need that a client may have.  A team approach, strong client rapport, and a wide range of talent combine to elevate each project beyond initial goals and expectations.