LEED Gold | 2024 | 21,915 sq ft | Des Moines, Iowa

The Animal Control Facility for the City of Des Moines, Iowa is an exemplary example of using green building principles to enhance both sustainability and function. A single-story building with metal framing and CMU, the new facility provides a temporary home for up to 144 cats and dogs, with additional space for other types of pets. Apart from gas used for water heating, the building is 100% electric and utilizes solar and geothermal energy systems to lower its environmental impact.

Natural daylighting is beneficial for both humans and animals and is especially important for dogs in shelter conditions as it helps keep them in tune with their circadian rhythm and reduce stress. Skylights and windows allow outdoor light to penetrate deep into building spaces, and electrical lighting systems have individualized controls for additional occupant comfort.

LEED credits emphasize the importance of enhancing the building site, not just the building itself. This project goes above and beyond in this area, with an impressive 80% of the total project site dedicated to open space, 79% of which is vegetated with native prairie plants. Research shows a link between decreased stress and increased happiness based on time spent in nature. The Animal Control Facility aims to strengthen this connection by providing a mowed walking path through the restored prairie, allowing facility staff and volunteers to walk dogs outside or simply take a break in nature.

The project is built on a floodplain. Special design considerations were given not only to the resilience of the building in a flooding event, but also to the safety and evacuation of the animals. As a result of resilience discussions, the building floor elevation was raised, and building walls were constructed with concrete masonry up to three feet with assemblies above designed to dry out quickly without major, costly repair. All the walls are designed to be washable, and the building is carpet free.

Owner: City of Des Moines

Architect: Hartman Spiller Trapp
MEP Engineer: IMEG

Civil: Snyder & Associates

Structural: IMEG
Contractor: The Weitz Company

Landscaping: Genus Landscape Architects

Commissioning: SystemWorks

LEED Consultant: C-Wise Design & Consulting

• 110% of electricity use generated onsite

• 59% of site area is habitat

• Daylighting and views

• 29% reduction in water use

• Nature walking path

• Received maximum possible energy points

• No outdoor irrigation required

• Hazard-resilient design

• Light pollution reduction

• 57% of construction waste diverted

The facility’s electricity comes from a solar array on a nearby plot of land that it shares with another LEED-certified building, the City of Des Moines Greenhouse. The site of the array is a capped brownfield site, and its use for solar panels has given the land a second life. The ballasted panels were meticulously planned and installed to maximize solar energy through direction and tilt, and as a result, the array produces 1.25 million kWh per year, which accounts for 110% of the facility’s annual electricity usage. A geothermal system is employed for heating and cooling, making the building almost entirely powered by electricity.