The project: The new Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences campus in West Des Moines, IA. The 350,000-square-foot, 88-acre campus includes classrooms, teaching labs, gymnasium/fitness center, administrative areas, a parking garage, and central utility plant. The learning environment is flexible for active learning and small group work, and immersive simulation areas reflect modern care facilities to give students real-world experience.

Project goals: Sustainability was a high priority for the university, which specified that the project pursue LEED Silver certification and WELL Gold standards. Other goals included flexible learning spaces, health and wellness, and community collaboration.

Project approach: The greenfield project started with a master plan and was built in phases. The owner, architect, general contractor, MEP engineer, and MEP contractors were all on the team prior to completion of design documents and collaborated to maintain the budget while meeting the goals.

Design highlights: IMEG’s all-electric mechanical design features a 700-well geothermal system for heating and cooling of all buildings. The central utility plant includes a 1.0 mW generator with the option to add a second 1.0 mW generator; 1,300 tons of cooling and 10,300 MBH of heating provided by water-to-water heat pumps connected to the geothermal well field; primary and secondary variable speed pumps; a campus fire pump, and campus domestic water softeners and water heaters. Other sustainable features include:

  • Lighting design that reduces lighting energy use by 50%
  • Elevators that convert braking friction into electricity
  • Occupancy-based automatic ventilation system
  • Energy recovery on the exhaust air system

Outcome: The LEED Silver project’s sustainability measures have significantly reduced energy consumption per the ASHRAE 90.1-2010 baseline. It is modeled to have an energy use intensity (EUI) of 40 compared to the 90 EUI baseline, a 56% reduction in electric usage, and a 65% reduction in embodied carbon. The all-electric campus is powered by over 88% renewable wind and solar energy provided by the utility provider. Verified electric savings have also led to utility rebates for the university.

“Des Moines University’s mission is preparing future professionals to help individuals and communities achieve and maintain good health,” said Angela L. Walker Franklin, DMU president and CEO. “We strive to contribute to the planet’s health, too. That’s why incorporating energy-efficient buildings and features has always been a priority as we planned, designed and built our new campus.”