Muscatine, Iowa, USA
Neumann Monson Architects’ Stanley Center for Peace and Security’s new sustainable headquarters building is inspired by the foundation’s core values are dedicated to peace and climate change mitigation living its values by pursuing Living Building Challenge certification and integrating sustainable water infrastructure in its premises.
Stanley Center for Peace and Security has recently been awarded a 2022 Green Good Design Award by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
Founded by Iowa natives Max and Elizabeth Stanley, the Stanley Center for Peace and Security uses education and diplomacy to advocate for global policy that addresses existential threats to humanity, including nuclear weapons, mass violence, and climate change.
In 2019, the Center needed a new headquarters to house its global operation.
They chose to stay in their hometown of Muscatine, Iowa to continue to deepen their connections with the local community. In 2019, the Center partnered with Neumann Monson to bring their new facility to life.
After researching the viability of several sites with Neumann Monson, the Center decided to purchase and renovate the former Musser Public Library building.
With its prime downtown location, the building provided a unique opportunity to connect with the Muscatine community, along with approximately 20,000 square feet of occupiable space.
Embodying its global mission, the Center decided to pursue a Living Building certification, the most rigorous measure for sustainable development.
The Living Building Challenge (LBC) requires innovative solutions and a collaborative process. Its success relies on a close partnership between the Center, Neumann Monson, and Graham Construction.
Graham joined the team early in the process to help meet the project’s unique technical requirements.
To fulfill the standards of the LBC, the Center will produce 110% of its energy needs and offset its water usage.
Solar arrays will produce the building’s energy, while a combination of low-flow fixtures and community outreach will offset water usage.
A rainwater harvesting system that includes two 6,250-gallon cisterns provides for all of the building’s potable and non-potable water demands.
Runoff from the hard rooftops and PV panels is also captured for treatment. Incoming rainwater passes through inlet filtration prior to entering the cistern.
Cistern water is treated through a potable water treatment skid and pressurized for distribution throughout the building to meet potable and non-potable demands (including irrigation).
The systems also reduce the Stanley Center’s impact on municipal infrastructure.
The Stanley Center is offsetting the wastewater sent to the municipal system by investing in water efficiency measures in a neighboring property.
The design balances private and communal spaces.
The open first floor provides flexibility for collaborative work and community events.
Staircases, discretely tucked along the walls, lead to private offices on the second floor.
Following LBC guidelines, biophilic principles influence the design.
Large windows will fill the space with natural light and visually connect the first-floor communal area to the outdoor courtyard.
In addition to outdoor workspaces, the courtyard will include an 850-square-foot community garden that will provide fresh produce to the neighboring foodbank, fostering community connections.
Project: The Stanley Center for Peace and Security Headquarters
Architects: Neumann Monson Architects
Developers: Graham Construction
Client: The Stanley Center for Peace and Security
Photographers: Neumann Monson Architects