a vision for renewal

the restoration project was conceived as part of a comprehensive plan to centralize and modernize court functions throughout polk county. with the goal of returning the courthouse to an aesthetic that closely mirrors its original elegance, while accommodating current operational requirements, the project involved extensive interior renovations. these upgrades included new masonry elevator shafts, modifications to existing ones, strategic floor removals and infills, and the implementation of innovative supports that harmonize with the historic walls.

tackling unique engineering challenges

renovating a structure originally built in 1906 presented several engineering challenges, particularly given the building’s robust construction methods and materials. the courthouse features multi-wythe masonry walls, sometimes several feet thick, and an original floor system designed by the columbian fireproofing company. this system, characterized by a combination of rolled steel bars suspended from steel beams with intricate stirrup connections, required a careful and innovative approach when introducing new openings and modifications.

2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 ’s engineering team conducted a thorough analysis of the historic floor systems, developing creative solutions to meet the project’s rigorous demands:

• custom structural supports: to accommodate new elevator locations and modifications, engineers designed unique steel supports capable of bearing large wall loads while fitting within the tight spatial constraints of the historic structure.
• large lintel solutions: for the exceptionally wide historic masonry walls, specially designed large lintels were introduced to ensure structural integrity without compromising the building’s historic character.
• innovative access solutions: lightweight attic walkways were designed to provide necessary access for staff, demonstrating how modern engineering can coexist with century-old construction techniques.

these solutions exemplify how modern engineering principles can be integrated with historical construction practices, preserving the character of the original design while meeting contemporary needs.

preserving heritage for the future

the restoration of the polk county historic courthouse is much more than a renovation. it is a careful preservation of a vital piece of history. while opn architects led the overall design, ensuring that key architectural features such as restored plaster, refined woodwork, and the revival of original courtroom aesthetics were maintained, 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 ’s role was critical in ensuring that the building’s structural systems could support these historic elements safely and effectively.

the collaboration between opn architects and 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 has resulted in a building that not only serves the functional needs of today’s judicial and civic operations but also stands as a testament to the enduring value of historic preservation. by addressing the complex challenges posed by early 20th-century construction methods, the project paves the way for the courthouse to continue its legacy into the next century.

a collaborative achievement

the success of the polk county historic courthouse renovation highlights the importance of expert collaboration in heritage restoration projects. 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 ’s innovative structural solutions, developed in partnership with opn architects, have played a pivotal role in revitalizing a historic landmark while ensuring that it meets modern standards of safety and functionality. this project underscores snyder & associates’ commitment to excellence in structural engineering and their dedication to preserving the architectural heritage of our communities.

as the courthouse reopens its doors with a renewed blend of historical beauty and modern efficiency, it stands as a lasting symbol of justice, dignity, and progress for polk county.

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teams constructed a scaffolding system in preparation for removing the dome.

the webster county courthouse was dedicated in november of 1902 and is currently listed on the national register of historic places as both an individual building and as a contributing building to the fort dodge downtown historic district. after suffering minor storm damage in 2018, engineers from 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 , a subsidiary of snyder & associates, performed a detailed inspection on the courthouse and its iconic clock tower that uncovered extensive roof and interior structural damage.

in consultation with webster county officials and after reviewing historic photos, the design team determined that many prominent architectural features had been removed over the years during regular maintenance of the building. county leaders expressed a desire to restore many of the original features as appropriate. as the lead structural engineers on the design team, the 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 crew provided recommendations and restoration plans to bring back much of the courthouse’s prior charm during the repair process.

preventive structural repairs & water infiltration measures

project manager kevin binder was honored with a ceremonial square, level and plumb at the rededication ceremony.

our team’s structural assessment showed minor damage related to the stability of the structure, however, maintenance and extensive repairs were needed to stop water infiltration and further deterioration of the wooden interior structure.

these repairs included the complete removal and reconstruction of the clock tower and dome skin to create access for the structural repairs and to repair copper materials that had significant damage. the clock tower repair included the addition of a dual barrier waterproofing system consisting of membrane-covered steel and copper exterior. the mansard roofs and gables were covered with manufactured slate tiles, while the low-slope roof sections received a new membrane system, as well.

the mansard roofs saw the reinstallation of their copper ridges and cresting elements for water protection and to match the historic architectural accuracy. the plan also called for the complete removal and reconstruction of the building’s gutter system, with the reinstallation of historic copper elements for the fascia and decorative elements that also corresponded with historical accuracy. finally, the central skylight system was removed and replaced using modern materials and included resizing the skylight to match the original architectural effect.

our team designed and coordinated the repairs for this iowa landmark and worked closely with county officials, architects, and contractors to perform the restoration of the courthouse’s clock tower, skylight, and roof. these weather-tight repairs are expected to extend the life of this historic building for many generations to come.

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the curtain wall allows in natural light while also keeping the interior from becoming too warm.

the johnston-based, corporate headquarters of delta dental of iowa is strategically positioned along the busy interstate 35/80 corridor. this high visibility location exposes the company name and logo to the thousands of drivers who pass by each day. in 2013, delta dental hired opn architects to design an addition for their building that would allow them to consolidate operations at the johnston location. snyder & associates structural engineering subsidiary, 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 , was brought on board to lead the structural engineering design efforts for this expansive, 25,000 square-foot, two-story addition.

the design team worked closely with the client to develop a plan that would take full advantage of the outdoor views and amenities that already existed on site. to that end, full-height window walls were incorporated on every side of the new addition. to transition between the original building space and the expansion, two-story spaces along the east and west glass walls create indoor patio space for employee collaboration. priorities were also placed on energy-efficient strategies like geothermal heating and cooling and a design that would meet leadership in energy and environmental design (leed) gold criteria.

open interior uses natural light & unique structural components

elsewhere in the interior, the structural team was able to blend a variety of materials into a solid, cohesive structure. the use of a terra cotta feature wall and wood paneling frames the open staircases and creates distinctive focal points in the addition. the staircases incorporate painted steel, composite stringers with stainless steel handrails, and glass guardrails that continue the open sightlines throughout the space. the cast-in-place concrete stair supports are overlaid with an attractive terrazzo veneer. and like the staircases, painted steel structural columns are left exposed and become a part of the interior design.

in addition to the open floor plan, the space was also designed to allow plentiful access to daylight. to limit excess heat and glare on the south side of the building, a louvered sunscreen covers the aluminum-clad curtain wall. rising from floor to ceiling, the sunscreen lets in plenty of natural light while maintaining a comfortable environment inside. and because of the additional story over the original building, the company name and logo gained more visibility to the interstate.

this newly expanded delta dental of iowa facility is designed to accommodate steady growth for the company for many years. the visually-appealing, staff-friendly quarters presents employees with ample collaboration space and provides a high-profile, eco-friendly environment to positively promote their brand.

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numerous exterior renovations were performed to ensure the integrity of the structure.

for more than 30 years, the des moines metro opera (dmmo) operated out of the former carnegie library building in the heart of indianola. built in 1904, the structure held historical significance for the community but the outdated energy systems, limited space, and other structural concerns hindered the dmmo’s ability to expand their community engagement and administrative services. however, after decades of diligently maintaining the building’s historic integrity and original layout, the group was hesitant to construct an addition that would diminish the building’s authenticity.

opn architects was hired to design a new expansion that would carefully mix the two worlds of historic architecture with a modern, open addition that would meet the growing organization’s needs. 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 , a subsidiary of snyder & associates, was brought on board by opn to develop a renovation plan for the existing structure, as well as provide the structural engineering services for the new building addition.

structural analysis guides renovation, lays groundwork for restoration & expansion

work gets underway on the north side of the building to accommodate the addition.

the first task for our structural engineers was to perform a rigorous structural analysis of the existing structure to identify the necessary renovations required. this comprehensive analysis considered the load capacity of the floor framing, the integrity of the existing roof framing, and the condition of the brick and clay tile exterior façade. extensive deficiencies were found that needed to be addressed during the renovation including extensive repair to exterior stonework. a detailed plan was established to strengthen the structure as the interior and exterior upgrades were being completed.

the 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 team worked in close collaboration with the opn designers and other stakeholders to ensure a seamless construction process. this included establishing the structural design and selecting components, consultation with 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 agencies, determining the need for special studies, preparing the structural design plans, filing the required construction documents for approval, and all facets of the construction administration process.

the final design concept incorporated a modern two-story, transparent glass addition to the north side of the building that connects to the original building, yet leaves the original north wall brick façade on full display. because the restoration received historic tax credits, the addition was located on the secondary facade to allow for the original entrance to remain intact.

the historic building’s balance and contrast in geometry, color, and texture guided the layout and size of the new glass structural bays. this 1,800 square foot addition, named the robert l. larsen atrium, creates a bold, inviting new space that will be available for community events and includes an elevator to meet ada compliance. this ensures that persons of all ages and capabilities can easily access the building and participate in dmmo programming.

the upgrades to the interior workspaces were aimed at creating efficiencies to improve workflow and support the efforts of the opera staff while the open views and access to natural light support employee well-being. painstaking attention was given to the historical wood trims and architectural details to ensure they were restored and blended with contemporary finishes and modern workstations.

capital campaign & private contributions drive renovation project

the new, ada-compliant entryway creates access for patrons of all abilities.

the new lauridsen opera center, named for des moines-based philanthropists nixon and virginia lauridsen, was made possible through a capital campaign led by the opera company and contributions from numerous private donors. in total, the $3.5 million renovations, restoration, and expansion fully reveal the building’s original architecture, provides display space for costuming, offer 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 gathering areas, and creates a space for educational outreach and community engagement programs.

creative and practical engineering methods helped ease the process of bringing this design to life and our team of structural engineers are proud to have helped the des moines opera community create this wonderful and much-needed upgrade. now listed on the national register of historic places, this landmark facility with its contemporary upgrade is situated to meet the needs of the des moines metro opera company for decades to come.

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the nearly complete internal steel structure provides a glimpse of the open spaces inside.

located in fairfield, the iowa department of transportation (dot) district 5 office houses the equipment and workforce needed for maintaining the roadway network in 20 counties spanning the southeast corner of the state. in 2017, the structural engineers with 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 , a subsidiary of snyder & associates, were enlisted to develop a plan for remodeling and expanding the existing construction offices and materials lab to accommodate the agency’s growing needs.

the plan devised by the 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 team combined concrete, cold-formed steel, masonry, and timber structural elements to provide a one-of-a-kind office building and materials lab for the district 5 staff. divided into two phases, the first portion of the plan aimed to remodel the existing 4,000 square foot, wood-framed materials lab and expand it with an additional 2,200 square feet of space. the addition utilized the lab building’s existing structure by matching the wood framing. the design also developed a strategy for framing the lab addition to avoid overloading the existing structure and foundations.

this construction method allowed the team to leave the existing structure in place and more cost-effectively build the new addition and merge the exterior siding and rooflines to appear as one united building. the materials lab phase of the project had an accelerated schedule to allow dot staff to occupy the building before the upcoming construction season began.

construction offices gain new, modern structure with open spaces

high ceilings and exposed steel framing create a warm, comfortable environment in the office building’s second floor.

situated adjacent to the newly expanded lab building, phase two of the project focused on the construction of a new, 15,000 square foot, two-story office building. designed to house the construction staff for district 5, the building is supported by structural steel framing, composite floors, and lightweight steel joists. this unique use of framing and flooring allowed for large open spans and high ceilings to create an open atmosphere for the new office building.

the second floor and roof deck was developed using an architectural and acoustical metal deck material and can serve multiple purposes for staff. because of its prominent, exposed location in the building, it also adds to the overall aesthetic of the structure. the masonry walls near the elevator and staircases were used as lateral supports for the building’s structure to save on steel connections and provide additional openings for windows.

this newly expanded dot facility is designed to accommodate steady growth within the district 5 territory for many years. the visually-appealing, staff-friendly quarters presents employees with ample collaboration space and provides adequate equipment storage for the district moving forward.

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the open-air atrium provides a welcoming location for large group gatherings.

throughout their storied history, the university of iowa’s athletic teams have achieved remarkable successes on and off the fields and courts on which they compete. in the late 90s, fundraising efforts kicked off to construct a museum on campus that pays homage to the numerous legendary and influential iowa hawkeye athletes that have represented the university over the years. named for private donor and iowa alumnus, roy g. karro, the university of iowa athletics hall of fame building used styling and construction methods that closely mimic modern sporting venues.

as the midwest’s premier structural engineering firm, 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 was chosen to lead the engineering design efforts for this 26,000 square-foot sports history museum. spanning three floors, the building includes two levels of museum exhibits, a three-story atrium, conference rooms, and a movie theater. on the third level, an interactive basketball court area constructed from flooring salvaged from the historic iowa field house allows young fans to practice shooting baskets and kicking field goals.

rugged concrete & steel construction pays homage to sports stadium design

exposed concrete and steel structural elements are commonly found in sports venues and stadiums.

constructed of cast in place concrete, exposed structural steel, and standing seam metal roofing, the form of the karro building is visually tied to the sporting facilities celebrated within. the attractive geometrical façade and the building’s horizontal configuration give the building much of its contemporary appearance.

the four square central bays, each with a smoked glass curtain wall and crisscrossed with structural tie rods, create a significant impression for visitors arriving at the museum along mormon trek boulevard. this rigid steel framing with x-bracing was used around the building sections to reinforce the glass-walled structure. behind the massive windows, the three-story atrium is oriented toward the university’s finkbine golf course, taking full advantage of the scenic landscape during the day. at night, the light streaming from the building produces a stunning scene. a pair of concrete structures housing elevator shafts bookend the central bays and complement the building’s geometric shape.

building site creates unique challenges & provides “green” opportunities

native prairie plantings were used extensively around the museum.

the hall of fame building’s location is adjacent to a protected wetland and was developed with green architectural practices in mind. stormwater runoff is controlled by a detention pond that also maintains an ecological balance between plant and animal wildlife. landscaping with native prairie grasses and the use of drainage swales in the parking lot also minimize the hall of fame’s environmental impact.

while the design of the university of iowa athletics hall of fame is contemporary, it recalls the spectrum of athletic venues in both form and choice of materials. and it’s just one example of how the 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 team can rise to the occasion and develop cutting-edge structural designs. as a subsidiary of snyder & associates, the structural engineering professionals with 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 have the full weight of a proven team of environmental scientists, technicians, planners, and civil engineers backing every project.

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when the city of ankeny first explored the idea of constructing a new library in 2010, opn architects explored designs for a civic building that would be located in the still-developing “district” at prairie trail subdivision. the building was intended to provide space for a new city hall while at the same time double the size of the current 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 library. unfortunately, the project was shelved in 2014 due to a lack of funding. but a subsequent $8.5 million bond referendum put to the voters in 2017 passed with an overwhelming majority of residents in support of the project. this money, in conjunction with civic trust funds and capital reserve funds, would be used for the new $15 million facility.

construction progresses with the completion of the steel framing for the building.

opn was able to quickly upgrade the nearly eight-year-old, original design concept by incorporating a few amenities to meet modern library trends, such as makerspaces and community rooms. 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 (a subsidiary of snyder & associates) was brought on board to design all structural engineering components of the plan. the architect’s extensive use of precast concrete, glass, and steel framing made this a critical portion of the design process. additionally, snyder & associates performed the construction survey work for the building and parking lot locations.

extensive use of light and open space

the 55,000 square foot structure consists of reinforced concrete foundations, structural steel framing with composite floor decking, metal roof decking, and architectural precast wall panels. large, interior atriums were central to the design, along with expansive outside views provided by glass curtain walls. the unique rooftop framing, in conjunction with the glass walls and atriums, allow for an abundance of natural light throughout much of the building. the lateral forces at work in this design are resolved through the use of steel x and k bracing frames and by utilizing the precast wall panels as shear elements. the final design results in a modern and efficient structure that blends seamlessly with the surrounding prairie trail development.

expanded amenities increase program options

an automated material handler reduces the amount of staff time needed to sort books before returning them to the shelves.

the increased size of the new facility will allow the library to grow its circulation and offer more quiet rooms and 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 meeting space. a drive-up, book-drop location and automated material handler will allow for the quick sorting of returned items, ensuring materials are back on the shelves in a shorter amount of time.

additionally, fourteen rooms are available as study or conference areas. another block of rooms is designated for children and teen programs. one large meeting room will have a seating capacity for 300 people and can be divided into three separate rooms through the use of moveable partitions. a number of the meeting spaces are available to the 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 for rent, while the atrium areas will provide numerous locations for small group seating.

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for many years, the carroll 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 library was located in a shared-use facility that also housed the carroll city hall, police department, and fire station. in 2016, commercial savings bank gifted its former building to the community, allowing the city to move forward with a decade-long desire to relocate city hall and expand the library into the vacated space.

opn architects was hired to conduct a feasibility study that provides a vision for the future of the carroll 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 library and city hall. this study included an assessment of needs, a review of existing facilities, and a concept-level cost estimate, which allowed the city to call a referendum to fund the relocation and expansion. 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 , a subsidiary of snyder & associates, was brought on board by opn to provide the structural engineering services for this community-focused project.

open design takes full advantage of natural light

the extensive use of glass inside maintains sightlines and contributes to the openness of the entryway.

the preferred design concept resulted from extensive feedback from the community, patrons, and staff. the plan called for renovating and expanding the library into the city hall’s former space, increasing the size of the library to 20,000 square feet. beginning at the entryway, a new two-story addition with an all-glass lobby was constructed on the north side, creating a spacious, open entry.

the entryway includes new meeting spaces, technology areas, and a large “social staircase” capable of seating up to 50 people for events. designed to be the focal point of the expanded lobby, this social staircase can be used for casual gatherings, concerts, or movies with the spacious landing at the bottom of the staircase doubles as a stage. the renovation also included community rooms, a makerspace, and many new windows to utilize natural light. an expanded catalog area is conveniently separated for children, teens, and adults.

extensive use of light and open space creates design challenge

x-bracing reinforces the glass wall and adds a unique detail to the building’s aesthetics.

these open and beautiful design features posed a unique challenge to the structural design team from 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 . the initial obstacle required the engineers to integrate the new two-story glass addition with the existing precast building. the team incorporated creative methods to strengthen the existing foundations, as well as the existing precast floors to support the increased loads. rigid steel framing with x-bracing was used around the addition to reinforce the glass-walled structure.

the newly renovated and expanded carroll 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 library has created a pleasant and spacious gathering area for casual and scheduled community gatherings. the modern and attractive glass addition creates a feeling of a much larger space through the use of natural light. creative and practical engineering methods helped ease the process of bringing this design to life. the 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 team is proud to have helped the carroll community create this wonderful and much-needed upgrade that will serve residents well into the future.

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the new polk county criminal court building was part of a multi-phase project centralizing court functions for the county. the project was a complete transformation of the former polk county jail into a five-story courthouse designed to meet the high volume of criminal cases. extensive demolition, structural modifications, and build back were completed over a 120,000 sq. ft. renovation area. the team from 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 , a subsidiary of snyder & associates, performed this extensive structural design work.

the top five stories of the jail were carefully removed, along with the main shear elements of the building, leaving the concrete structure and foundation of the original lower two stories. the reconstruction consisted of reinforcing the existing foundation and structure to meet new load requirements. a new concrete core, along with other shear elements was constructed to resist lateral loads.

ample room to expand for future growth

an outdoor patio area is located on the south side of the 3rd floor.

the building’s footprint was expanded, including the construction of two new stairway towers and an open atrium extending from the ground floor to the roof. three new stories consisting of steel framing and concrete decks were constructed on the reinforced first and second stories. sage glass, stone, and metal panels were used extensively for much of the finish work. the final product resulted in a modern, safe, and energy-efficient building.

the new courthouse layout greatly improves safety for visitors and employees alike. the unique and creative design elements incorporated into the construction allowed for open courtrooms, cantilevered balconies, a third-floor outdoor patio, and a full-height atrium enclosed in glass.

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the gold top to the iowa state capitol is an iconic skyline highlight.

defining the des moines skyline since 1886, the iowa state capitol building is one of the nation’s most iconic statehouses. the renaissance-style, rectangular structure has a commanding, gold dome in the center, fortified with four smaller domes at each corner of the building. reaching a height of 275 feet above the ground floor, the central dome is constructed of iron and brick and is covered in 23-carat, gold-leaf gilding. the tissue-paper thin sheets are covered with a protective layer to seal them from the elements.

in 2005, the exterior of the dome was regilded. it wasn’t noticed at the time, but the interior structure was sustaining moisture damage — both from exterior leaks and from the humidity given off by large crowds inside the building. these leaks had led to rusting wrought iron, along with brick and mortar deterioration. when discovered several years later, 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 , a subsidiary of snyder & associates, was engaged to perform the structural assessment and design to determine the best course of action for repairing and restoring the dome.

numerous challenges lead to creative structural retrofitting solutions

because of the complex construction and location of the dome, the 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 team faced multiple challenges to define the best restoration solution. foremost was the lack of access in reaching the 275 foot dome. special scaffolding had to be assembled onsite to reach the interior and exterior without damaging the building from excessive loads. additionally, full usage of the building had to be maintained throughout the structural assessment and reconstruction process. this required careful consideration for project staging, as well as the safety of capitol workers and visitors.

updated metal brackets provide added support to the structure.

our team’s assessment determined that the restoration and strengthening of the iron and masonry dome could be completed without noticeable modifications. the wrought iron was reinforced with plates and the existing rivets were replaced with high-strength bolts. the deteriorated masonry posed a more difficult challenge, however. it had to be replaced brick-by-brick in order to keep the building in operation and more import, avoid damage to the gold leaf covering the exterior of the dome.

near the top of the dome, an attic separator consisting of a cellular metal deck, steel beams, and tie rods separates the upper dome from the building. to control the moisture levels and temperature, a rubber membrane was added to the attic separator to help mitigate the possibility of future moisture damage. this separator and membrane create a thermal barrier between the dome and the building. to access this space for future maintenance, a monitoring platform constructed from lightweight aluminum and fiberglass grating was added to the structural design.

professionals from 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 oversaw all structural retrofits, as well as provided construction administration for this extensive project. funding for the dome repairs were provided from money left over from prior state bond issues.

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