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East 2nd Street Parking

This parking facility represents the first phase of a pedestrian-minded redevelopment. 

With its efficient footprint tucked into the block’s core, the parking structure cedes street frontages to retail, offices, and housing. Mixed-use buildings flank it to the north and south. To the west, directly across from City Hall, open greenspace anticipates a future civic building.

The parking facility’s post-tensioned concrete structure accommodates 540 parking spaces on six levels, capped by a 336-panel solar array calculated to meet net-zero energy requirements. Another 336 panels can be added in the future to offset the anticipated civic building’s energy load. Floor to floor shingled glass panels, installed with adjustable swivel fittings, enclose the east and west facades. The panels’ orientation differs on each façade to lend protection from prevailing winds and encourage natural ventilation.

In addition to eliminating the need for stair tower mechanical ventilation, the glass provides visibility for secure pedestrian circulation. Walkways and stairs cantilever from the vehicular areas to create a dedicated pedestrian zone. Stairwells spill into a brick-paved pedestrian plaza on the west and a city sidewalk on the east. The plaza complies with fire department access requirements while enhancing the greenspace and framing the facility’s relationship to City Hall. At full build-out, the now spacious pedestrian plaza will mature into an intimate pocket park for the burgeoning surrounding streetscape.

Project Type: Commercial

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Size: 540 parking stalls

Completed: 2017

Awards: 2020 AIA Iowa Excellence in Craft Award (Honor)
2019 AIA Iowa Design Award (Honorable Mention)

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