Alliant Energy recognized Kirkwood Community College as a recipient of the 2021 Excellence in Energy Efficient Design Awards through its Commercial New Construction program. They presented the award at the American Institute of Architects Iowa Chapter 2021 Convention.
The award is in recognition of the addition and renovation project of Washington Hall on Kirkwood’s Cedar Rapids campus. The building needed major upgrades to help Kirkwood maintain a place among the top two-year agricultural schools in the country.
Before the major remodel, the building lacked adequate space and resources to support the high level of education Kirkwood provides. The renovation transformed the space into an incredible learning atmosphere. It enables Kirkwood faculty and staff to reach new heights in education for the ag leaders of tomorrow.
The project, competed earlier this year and designed by OPN Architects and Design Engineers, achieves 56% annual energy savings. It includes:
- Low energy LED lighting.
- Exhaust air energy recovery.
- Carbon monoxide control for shop area exhaust.
- Geothermal heat pumps for classrooms and offices.
Kirkwood Community College has a long-standing commitment to energy-efficient building design. Several Kirkwood projects have gone through our Commercial New Construction program to fine tune energy efficiency strategies.
Alliant Energy was proud to partner with Willdan and MidAmerican Energy for the Commercial New Construction program. Alliant Energy and its partners are grateful to the American Institute of Architects for continuing to recognize and celebrate energy efficiency.
The Excellence in Energy Efficient Design awards program recognizes outstanding efforts to reduce energy use. Candidates are selected from projects whose designers participated in the Commercial New Construction program offered by Alliant Energy and MidAmerican Energy Company.