Fall 2006 Conference —
Learning Spaces
Conference Program
Iowa Hall of Pride
The Iowa Hall of Pride is a 26,000 square fool interactive exhibit experience to
honor and inspire Iowa citizens by showcasing family, community, and schools.
The guiding concept is the celebration of individual achievement through
extracurricular events and athletics. The museum is sponsored by the Iowa High
School Athletic Association (IHSAA). Synthesis designed 26 different interactive exhibits,
theaters, and other components. We worked in conjunction with OPN Architects and The Weitz
Company, construction managers. It was our goal to maintain graphic standards that carry
seamlessly across architecture, exhibitry, multi-media, and environmental graphics.
The project is located within the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines. The Iowa Hall
of Pride opened February 2005.
SynthesisDesign, LLC. Is a professional design firm furnishing creative solutions in architecture,
interior design, exhibitry, millwork, and fixture design. Based in Haddonfiled, New Jersey, the firm
is structured to interact with artists, artisans, designers, and production groups to ensure the
realization of a cohesive design ideology in each project it undertakes. Founded in 1994, the firm
continues to put its philosophy into practice on various museum, retail, trade show, and residential projects.
The Des Moines Public Library
The new Central Library is part of the Gateway West Park development in downtown Des Moines. The building is
designed to blend into the surrounding park setting so it becomes "a library within a park" and "a park within
the library." The new Central Library has an exterior skin of copper mesh encased in glass. The exterior is
specially designed to protect library materials from ultraviolet rays, reduce glare for computer users, and block
the heat before it enters the building. The building's organic shape will feature three distinct wings in a two-story
design with each wing offering different elements to the public. Improvements to be offered in the new Central Library
will include:
- A teen center and study rooms
- A special Children's Department with separate story hour and craft room with enough space for visits by the
Downtown School and other schools
- A computer training classroom for customers wishing to learn how to use the library's catalog and databases,
as well as for staff training.
- Increased access to the Internet, hook-ups for laptop computers, and wireless network.
- A café
- An inviting, park-like setting
The Des Moines Higher Education Collaborative
The Des Moines Higher Education Collaborative is central Iowa's premier professional development and higher
learning organization. The Collaborative embraces a clear and focused mission - to elevate the educational
attainment of central Iowa's workforce. The Collaborative accomplishes its mission through broad professional
development programming that emphasizes "best business practices" and lifelong learning.
DMHEC's administrative offices are located in the heart of downtown Des Moines at 1200 Grand Avenue at the John
and Mary Pappajohn Education Center. The Center is the hub for educational opportunities offered by our
collaborating institutions. The Collaborative administration is also joined at the Pappajohn Center by its marquee programs.
1200 Grand Avenue - Des Moines, Iowa 50309
515-235-4600
515-284-5577 (FAX)
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