The Iowa Culinary Institute (ICI) at Des Moines Area Community College trains more than 200 future chefs each year and frequently hosts international guest and donor gatherings, five-course gourmet dinners, wine tastings, and celebrations. Revitalizing the ICI facility for future growth and success presented the opportunity to update and expand its classroom building to attract more students and ensure the architecture matched the impressive level of food and service provided by the program. Reflecting ICI’s reputation, Shive Hattery Architecture + Engineering designed a fresh and contemporary look for the facility. The expansion brought a new entryway, lobby and pre-banquet area, as well as upgraded existing spaces.

The updated building’s exterior features a steel, orange, and blue color palette. Materials and colors used on the exterior of the building were also brought inside to create seamless continuity. The blue and orange metal panel system on the outside is mirrored by metal finishes used inside the event space. Meanwhile, the grey tones and patterning of the carpet used throughout the facility also reflect the paving design of the outdoor entrance plaza. Unilock plank pavers with an Umbriano® finish in French grey and a Series™ finish in Onyx Black were used to create the linear paving pattern, adapting the style of the interior carpeting. Not only does this paving design harmoniously connect the indoor and outdoor spaces, it also mirrors the same linear patterning used for the metal panel façade. The Umbriano® and Series™ finish plank pavers used throughout the entrance plaza are also manufactured with EnduraColor™ Facemix technology for increased durability, long-term performance and beauty, embodying the level of excellence seen at the Iowa Culinary Institute.