JOHNSTON, IA — OPN Architects recently received the Masonry Institute of Iowa (MII) Appreciation Award for the soon-to-be complete Johnston City Hall.

At the core of the Johnston Town Center Development, the new city hall is a community anchor surrounded by public amenities. The building opens to a community “front yard” that will be a forum, plaza, amphitheater, market, and events space to draw the community in and engage with it. A natural material palette featuring limestone imparts a sense of civic permanence while underscoring the building as an inviting community space.

The new city hall was conceived of as public and private components joined by a central hall that axially connected circulation through the entirety of the site and building, being both community- and service-oriented. The design plans for flexibility and growth as the community evolves and maximizes efficiency for public users and employees.

Johnston City Hall is designed to conserve energy, make better building material choices, and drive innovation within the community. The project team utilized energy modeling software and sustainable strategies throughout design to ensure that the project is on target. Johnston City Hall is targeting LEED Silver with Net Zero aspirations. Building efficiency is maximized through the building’s shape, orientation, and solar shading. Selected Sustainable Strategies include:

• Partnership with 1Source Solar to install 478 solar modules, creating a 184kW solar array on City Hall roof to provide most or all of City Hall electrical power needs
• Daylighting and views to the exterior prioritized throughout the building, and building massing and shading devices have been implemented to reduce cooling loads
• High efficiency lighting, water fixtures, and mechanical systems are utilized throughout

The MII Appreciation Awards are nominated by MII members to recognize projects that utilize masonry. Submissions are judged according to contributions to the masonry industry, community impact, visual appearance, construction detailing, and workmanship quality. Projects must utilize an MII supplier or contractor and be located in Iowa.