This home sits atop an historic warehouse in the heart of Des Moines and possesses commanding views of the downtown and surrounding countryside. In their retirement, the owners decided to trade in their small-town, rural Iowa working life for the urban bustle of the city. Longtime art collectors and philanthropists, they desired closer proximity to a greater array of cultural offerings.

As one enters the condominium, one is surrounded by calming, richly stained wood paneling on walls and ceiling. This compressed space serves as a buffer for the user between the commotion outside and the tranquility inside. Views of the city pull one through this entry space into the expansive, loft-like living spaces that line the perimeter of the floor plan. Wood clad piers define the public spaces from the private spaces, as does a change in ceiling height – which also conceals an array of existing ducts and pipes. Overcoming the challenges posed by these existing elements while creating a cohesive, minimal whole was the primary obstacle in designing this space.

PROJECT MANAGER

Jackson den Herder

COMPLETION

2016

AREA

3,800 SF

PUBLICATIONS

archdaily.com

IA Architect

DSM Magazine

*Firm of record is Neumann Monson Architects