Krause Gateway Center
Des Moines, Iowa, United States
A multi-purpose hub at the heart of civic life
The Krause Gateway Center was designed by world-renowned architecture firm, Renzo Piano, to foster a dialogue between the employees, the public, and the city. Inside, Fritz Hansen pieces add a timeless appeal to a space flooded with lightness and simplicity.
At 160,000 square feet, the 6-storey building serves as the new headquarters for Kum & Go, but also provides many spaces open to the public. It features a 2-storey underground parking garage, an art gallery, large multifunctional meeting rooms, a fitness centre, and a massive exterior terrace.
Framed by over 100 trees and interactive landscape furniture, the building itself makes up only a quarter of the site, leaving the rest for the public. Featuring an almost-invisible façade and unobstructed 360-degree views, the ground floor blurs the boundaries between inside and out. The extra-long overhang offers shade from the sun, while a green roof planted with native prairie grasses and flowers lessens the impact of energy usage and water run-off.
The interior is dotted with Fritz Hansen classics, including the iconic Series 7™ chair designed by Arne Jacobsen. Made from 9 layers of pressure moulded veneer with chrome legs, the chair is the most popular design within Fritz Hansen’s chair collection.
In the meeting rooms and foyers, the Swan™ chair, also by Arne Jacobsen, makes a statement in bright red and orange tones. The design contains no straight lines, making it look organic and soft despite its simplicity and strong architectural appeal.
As well as serving as the new Kum & Go corporate headquarters, the building also includes offices for the other companies within the Krause Group - a varied set of businesses that include retail, logistics, Italian wineries, hospitality, real estate, agriculture, and soccer clubs.
Since opening its doors in 2018, the Krause Gateway Center has won several design awards, including the ASLA 2020 Honor Award for Built Design.
Framed by over 100 trees and interactive landscape furniture, the building itself makes up only a quarter of the site, leaving the rest for the public. Featuring an almost-invisible façade and unobstructed 360-degree views, the ground floor blurs the boundaries between inside and out. The extra-long overhang offers shade from the sun, while a green roof planted with native prairie grasses and flowers lessens the impact of energy usage and water run-off.
The interior is dotted with Fritz Hansen classics, including the iconic Series 7™ chair designed by Arne Jacobsen. Made from 9 layers of pressure moulded veneer with chrome legs, the chair is the most popular design within Fritz Hansen’s chair collection.
In the meeting rooms and foyers, the Swan™ chair, also by Arne Jacobsen, makes a statement in bright red and orange tones. The design contains no straight lines, making it look organic and soft despite its simplicity and strong architectural appeal.
As well as serving as the new Kum & Go corporate headquarters, the building also includes offices for the other companies within the Krause Group - a varied set of businesses that include retail, logistics, Italian wineries, hospitality, real estate, agriculture, and soccer clubs.
Since opening its doors in 2018, the Krause Gateway Center has won several design awards, including the ASLA 2020 Honor Award for Built Design.
Q&A
Giorgio Bianchi, Architect Partner, Renzo Piano Building Workshop
FH: What was the objective for the space design?
GB: The aim was to create a space that celebrates the beauty of life. The client wanted to minimize the barriers between the corporate world and the local community, so transparency and openness were key. The ground floor was designed to blur the boundaries between inside and out. Here, the canteen provides a space for employees and community guests to enjoy. Elsewhere, the auditorium features endless possibilities, offering a backdrop for lectures, public events, and client workshops.
Mr. Krause is an art collector, so the building is also brimming with art. One time, I asked: “Why don’t you put a label on the art?”. He responded: “Do you put a label on your house? No, it’s art, and this is my home”. In my opinion, Mr. Krause is a visionary. He wanted a space for work, but also a place to enjoy a bit of life with the soul of the space being the courtyard, open and important.
GB: The aim was to create a space that celebrates the beauty of life. The client wanted to minimize the barriers between the corporate world and the local community, so transparency and openness were key. The ground floor was designed to blur the boundaries between inside and out. Here, the canteen provides a space for employees and community guests to enjoy. Elsewhere, the auditorium features endless possibilities, offering a backdrop for lectures, public events, and client workshops.
Mr. Krause is an art collector, so the building is also brimming with art. One time, I asked: “Why don’t you put a label on the art?”. He responded: “Do you put a label on your house? No, it’s art, and this is my home”. In my opinion, Mr. Krause is a visionary. He wanted a space for work, but also a place to enjoy a bit of life with the soul of the space being the courtyard, open and important.
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