DES MOINES, IA — Des Moines University (DMU) Medicine and Health Sciences marked a significant milestone with the grand opening of its new campus. The event brought together DMU faculty, staff, students, and alums as they welcomed members of the Greater Des Moines community to explore the innovative spaces where future health care professionals now train. Representatives from RDG Planning & Design, one of DMU's primary design partners for the new campus, were also on hand to celebrate the grand opening and participate in various activities.
The ground-up 88-acre campus is a hub for health care education. Designed with the future of health care education in mind, it features technology-rich, flexible educational spaces that promote innovative teaching methods, expand research activity, and enhance clinical services. RDG's design for the new campus encompasses four buildings connected with elevated pathways totaling 382,000 square feet.
"With its 125-year legacy of excellence in medical and health science education, DMU has long been leading the way in holistic health care education," RDG Planner and Senior Partner Mike Houston said. "Collaborating with the university on this project allowed us to push the boundaries of what a health sciences campus can achieve. The new campus is positioned to further enhance DMU's role as a leader in the field and will serve as a place where generations of students can thrive, innovate, and contribute to the future of health care."
The site offers inspiration for features of the new campus. Its geographical location marks the tip of the Wisconsin Glacier, and rich soil deposits create a distinct change within the terrain. This site element serves as an organizational feature of the new campus and inspired the names of the Edge of Advancement and Innovation buildings. RDG's design integrates multiple green spaces and gathering places across the expansive site to promote mental health and well-being.
The campus's four interconnected buildings create an elevated quad that integrates social and academic programs, redefining the traditional campus model to foster user collaboration. The arrangement of the building's massings is intentionally positioned to enhance the performance of the buildings as well as each user's kinesthetic awareness on campus.
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The new campus achieved LEED Silver certification and incorporates 700 geothermal wells that provide energy-efficient systems to the current and future campus. These measures have significantly reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions, achieving a 41 Energy Use Intensity compared to the 90 EUI baseline, a 56 percent reduction in electric usage and a 65 percent reduction in embodied carbon.
The campus's Edge of Advancement building includes administration, a technology-rich event and learning commons, an alum hall, and student support spaces; the Innovation building includes academic, simulation, and dining programs; and the Health and Wellbeing building realizes holistic health with its recreation facilities, clinic, and counseling suites. The campus also connects with local trails and features a new pond.
The grand opening celebration included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by the installation of the "Pioneers of Osteopathic Medicine." Attendees were invited to participate in interactive activities, explore the Simulation Center and Rakowski Surgical Skills Lab, and attend educational sessions that offered insights into DMU's journey and the life of a medical student. These sessions were part of DMU's ongoing efforts to connect with the community and share the university's vision for the future of health care education.
