Des Moines University’s new 88-acre Medical and Health Sciences campus sets a benchmark for innovation and sustainability in healthcare education. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology, the campus is designed to advance health science programs, research, simulation, and clinical services with exceptional fidelity to ensure mastery of skills and learning outcomes.

RDG’s design for the campus takes direction from the site’s natural beauty and diverse physical characteristics, building on “the edge of advancement” concept to imagine an innovative, iconic campus that reflects DMU’s values, respects the land, connects to the community and offers an inclusive, intuitive environment. With academic functions at its core, RDG’s design creates technology-rich, flexible education spaces that support innovative teaching methods and expand research activity and clinical services. The campus features four interconnected buildings creating an elevated quad that integrates social and academic programs, redefining the traditional campus model to foster collaboration among all users. The buildings’ massings are intentionally positioned to enhance the performance of the buildings as well as each user’s kinesthetic awareness on campus. Located at a historical glacial lobe, RDG’s design integrates native plant conservation and sustainable practices, reducing annual water runoff by 8 million gallons and minimizing erosion. The Health and Wellbeing building supports holistic health with its recreation facilities, clinic and counseling suites. The campus also connects with local trails and features a new pond, enriching both the academic community and the surrounding residents.

A reflection of DMU’s commitment to environmental responsibility, the new campus achieved LEED Silver certification and incorporates 700 geothermal wells that provide energy-efficient systems to the current and future campus. It also incorporates additional energy-efficient measures, including a ground-coupled heat pump system that handles simultaneous heating and cooling loads, an efficient lighting design that reduces energy use by 50% and dims automatically with sunlight, regenerative elevators that convert braking friction into electricity, an occupancy-based automatic ventilation system and a system to recover and repurpose heat from exhaust air. These measures have significantly reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions, achieving a 41 Energy Use Intensity compared to the 90 EUI baseline, a 56% reduction in electric usage, and a 65% reduction in embodied carbon. Verified electric savings have also led to rebate savings for the university. Additionally, the campus is powered by over 88% renewable wind and solar energy generated in Iowa, thanks to MidAmerican’s GreenAdvantage program.

RDG’s design reflects DMU’s history while embracing the future, creating a vibrant and connected learning environment and is a transformative opportunity to establish a new legacy for DMU and healthcare education. The new campus opened in 2023, the year that also marked DMU’s 125th anniversary.

Design: RDG Planning & Design
Contractor: Turner Construction
Owner’s Representative: Formation Group
Photography: Michael Robinson