As the sun rises near Granger, Iowa, the shimmering dome of the newly constructed Bosnjak Es-Selam Mosque crests the horizon. Iowa’s cornfields may not be the first place one would expect to find a 9,000-square-foot mosque and its 130-foot-tall minaret, one of the tallest in the country. Then again, Iowa is full of surprises.

On September 17, the Stanley Center for Peace and Security will host a “Ground Healing” ceremony to kick off the construction of its new headquarters in Muscatine, Iowa. The project will renovate the former Musser Public Library while adhering to the rigorous standards of the Living Building Challenge (LBC). In addition to promoting sustainability, the LBC presents opportunities to engage the local community. Here, we explore the Stanley Center’s connection to Muscatine, its commitment to global education, and its plans to engage the community through the LBC.

In the 1970s, Iowa City undertook an ambitious urban renewal project. As businesses moved to large-scale shopping centers on the city’s outskirts, downtown began to resemble a ghost town. Once-occupied historic buildings became vacant and city officials feared urban blight. Hoping to reinvigorate its central business district, the City used federal funds to demolish undermaintained buildings and encourage modern development.

Public art is a vital component of Iowa City’s cultural identity. Throughout downtown, brightly colored hand-painted murals enliven the streetscape and cultivate a sense of place. While some murals are commissioned by the city, others represent a close collaboration between property owners and local artists. One such mural, “The Reciprocal of Humanity,” adorns Market House in Iowa City’s Northside neighborhood.

In 2019, the Stanley Center for Peace and Security partnered with Neumann Monson and Graham Construction to design and build their new headquarters in Muscatine, Iowa. The new facility will adhere to the standards of the Living Building Challenge (LBC), the most rigorous measure for sustainable design.

Iowa City’s Weatherdance Fountain Stage Canopy is featured in the Summer 2021 issue of Iowa Architect Magazine. The article touches on how the detailed design of the structure’s glass and steel assembly supports a range of activities, adding vibrancy to the city’s pedestrian mall. Whether acting as a performance venue, a meeting spot, or just a shady respite, the canopy serves a diverse, year-round population of shoppers, students, gameday visitors, parents with children, and people watchers.

In 1989, Kreg Tool began with a kitchen cabinet and a question: “How do you attach a face frame and hide the joint from view?” Iowa native Craig Sommerfeld provided the answer by creating the Kreg Jig—a U-shaped, single-hole jig that allows woodworkers to create strong joints while effortlessly hiding their work. Since its founding, Kreg Tool has grown to a 250-person operation. The company has become a household name for pocket joinery, the go-to brand for craftsmen everywhere. Kreg’s new facility in Ankeny, Iowa will further the company’s success by consolidating its operations. At Neumann Monson, we are thrilled to help Kreg Tool with this mission.

The recently completed Iowa City Public Works (ICPW) facility has been named 2021 Project of the Year in the Small Cities/Rural Communities category by the American Public Works Association (APWA). APWA, a not-for-profit organization, presents national awards related to Public Works projects, including buildings, public transportation, and more. Building projects are judged against several criteria, including safety performance, community relations, sustainability, and construction management techniques.

In the late 1970s, life left the streets of downtown Iowa City. Businesses had moved to suburban shopping districts, taking money and pedestrians with them. To reinvigorate its urban core, Iowa City used federal funds to convert portions of Dubuque and College Street into an activated pedestrian plaza, popularly known as the “Ped Mall.” In 1978, the red brick streets of the Ped Mall opened to the public and ushered in a new era of Iowa City’s downtown district.

At first glance, Muscatine, Iowa appears to be a small and unassuming community, but there is more to this Mississippi River town than meets the eye. For over 60 years, the Stanley Center for Peace and Security has called Muscatine home. The Center brings together journalists, scholars, and diplomats from around the globe to drive policy change related to nuclear disarmament, mass violence prevention, and climate change solutions.