BBS Architects Engineers

EMC Insurance Companies

EMC – Corporate Highrise
EMC – Corporate Highrise
EMC – Corporate Highrise
EMC – Corporate Highrise
EMC – Corporate Highrise
EMC – Corporate Highrise

Owner: EMC Insurance Companies
Architectural and Engineering Design Services: BBS Architects | Engineers
Construction Completed: 1997
Project Data: 430,000 SF
Construction Cost: $53,000,000

Client Need:
EMC expanded their downtown Des Moines location by adding this corporate high-rise adjacent to their existing headquarters building. They sought to achieve a bold and sophisticated image through the building design.

BBS Approach:
The sculptural expression was developed to take advantage of the building’s location within the skyline. Viewed from the west, the angled roof acts to counter the gradual decline of heights from north to south along the downtown skyline. Viewed from the south, the higher tower face establishes a strong figural identity for the EMC complex.

Project Results:

  • 430,000 SF expansion
  • 20-story office tower plus three-story support facility
  • Addition of three new skywalks
  • Two-level underground parking facility
  • Sophisticated cladding technology
  • Cutting-edge mechanical/electrical system
  • Advanced energy-conservation design:
    • Thermal storage
    • Low temperature air distribution
    • High-efficiency (R-7) windows

Industry Recognition:

  • When constructed, the EMC tower was the largest US installation of innovative “rainscreen” system
  • Awarded First Place in regional technology by the American Society of Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
Home Office Building with Expansion
MacKay Hall Auditorium Renovation
Hospital Emergency Room Renovation & Expansion
Iowa City Federal Building - VHA Renovations
ABC - Office Build-Out
New Office
Covered Walkway
Hub Tower Conference Center
Levitt Center for University Advancement
Food Sciences Building - Room 2379 Renovation
219 Eighth Street
Biological Sciences Facility
Kemin Food Sciences Lab Renovation
Goodnow Hall Restoration & Renovation
Hub Tower Elevator Modernization
Camp Dodge Chapel Addition and Renovation
ETRC Hoover Hall
Reid “E” Research Facility
Common Ground - Coffee Shop
Terminal
VRAC C6 and Office Suite
Camp Dodge Pool Campus Improvements
Executive Suites Renovation
Corporate Headquarters
Sabin Hall Renovation – LEED Gold
Office Renovation
Dodge House Renovations
ETRC Howe Hall
Chemistry Building Addition & Renovation
IADA Office Renovation
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Beardshear Hall Remodeling
Corporate Headquarters Renovation
Union Drive Community Center Renovations
© 2023 BBS Architects | engineers, All rights reserved.