Owner: Polk County
Architectural and Engineering Design Services: BBS Architects | Engineers
Global Neighbors is a non-profit of Polk County focused on serving refugees and immigrants transition to becoming Iowan. This project was more than a tenant fit out of office space - it was about discovering the history of the building and allowing what exists transform into a space of healing, peace, and most importantly of welcome. Global Neighbors concept was founded on this idea of welcomeness and safety. From the main entry one is welcomed into a lobby bathed in natural north light and natural materials. A Welcome sign at the main desk showcases 20 different languages. A large art installation of a tree screens the north windows bathing the lobby in dappled and changing north light. As one travels through the building shared classrooms, eating and gathering spaces, and work space branch off of one main corridor that opens to the southern conference room along the way offering opportunities to showcase art from local artists and community members highlighting the journey many are traveling to get to here - to Iowa. The path each person takes to get here, to this building, to Iowa, is varied. This building acts as a place to gather and share in this journey - and act as a resting place as the next portion of the journey begins.