This story is a part of the QCBJ’s Newsmakers edition. This year-end wrap-up from the staff of the Quad Cities Business Journal is a compilation of the year’s most noteworthy articles and projects, as told through stories that appeared in the bi-weekly issues of the QCBJ. This story was originally published in May 2022. MUSCATINE, […]
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This story is a part of the QCBJ’s Newsmakers edition. This year-end wrap-up from the staff of the Quad Cities Business Journal is a compilation of the year’s most noteworthy articles and projects, as told through stories that appeared in the bi-weekly issues of the QCBJ.
This story was originally published in May 2022.
MUSCATINE, Iowa — Bringing a closed, abandoned library building back to life is “what good looks like” and is a welcomed new chapter in downtown Muscatine’s revitalization. The Stanley Center for Peace and Security, a Muscatine-based international non-profit policy and advocacy organization, has accepted the Living Building Challenge to renovate the city’s former library into its new headquarters. This $10 million project not only brings economic growth to the region through hiring regional contractors and its use of locally sourced materials, but it also seeks to surpass the sustainable building practices addressed by most new construction projects today. The Living Building Challenge is one of the most rigorous and comprehensive programs in place today for sustainable design and construction. Neumann Monson Architects, Iowa City, and Graham Construction, Cedar Rapids, are leading a team of area construction trades partners to tackle this rigorous challenge. “The Living Building Challenge is the most advanced and holistic framework for sustainable design performance areas. It really sets the highest bar for what good looks like in architecture,” said Erin Rovalo, vice president — Community Department, for the Seattle-based International Living Future Institute (ILFI). “The goal of having buildings like this is to have a net positive effect on the environment and for the people that occupy those spaces.” Neumann Monson Architects told the QCBJ that not many firms are willing to take on such a rigorous process. “Buildings contribute to roughly 40% of the carbon emissions in the world. There are many programs out there right now that try to lessen what we’re taking from the world and our resources. But the Living Building Challenge tries to do even better than that and give back,” said Sally Obernolte, associate principal, project manager at Neumann Monson.
MUSCATINE, Iowa — Bringing a closed, abandoned library building back to life is “what good looks like” and is a welcomed new chapter in downtown Muscatine’s revitalization. The Stanley Center for Peace and Security, a Muscatine-based international non-profit policy and advocacy organization, has accepted the Living Building Challenge to renovate the city’s former library into its new headquarters. This $10 million project not only brings economic growth to the region through hiring regional contractors and its use of locally sourced materials, but it also seeks to surpass the sustainable building practices addressed by most new construction projects today. The Living Building Challenge is one of the most rigorous and comprehensive programs in place today for sustainable design and construction. Neumann Monson Architects, Iowa City, and Graham Construction, Cedar Rapids, are leading a team of area construction trades partners to tackle this rigorous challenge. “The Living Building Challenge is the most advanced and holistic framework for sustainable design performance areas. It really sets the highest bar for what good looks like in architecture,” said Erin Rovalo, vice president — Community Department, for the Seattle-based International Living Future Institute (ILFI). “The goal of having buildings like this is to have a net positive effect on the environment and for the people that occupy those spaces.” Neumann Monson Architects told the QCBJ that not many firms are willing to take on such a rigorous process. “Buildings contribute to roughly 40% of the carbon emissions in the world. There are many programs out there right now that try to lessen what we’re taking from the world and our resources. But the Living Building Challenge tries to do even better than that and give back,” said Sally Obernolte, associate principal, project manager at Neumann Monson.