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Listening & Discovery

Over the course of three sessions from November 2019 to January 2020, Adjaye Associates embarked on a ‘deep dive’ into the social and cultural climate of �鶹��ý as it relates to the new Downtown Student Residence (DSR) building project. The objective of the Listening & Discovery Phase was not directly architectural; the deliverables from this process do not include a sketch or renderings of an initial design proposal.

As outlined within these pages, the outcome of this fact-finding mission is a series of recommendations with regard to program, process, and the legacy of the building. We were guided by the following questions:

• How could this new building establish a mutually symbiotic relationship with the town in which users from both parties could benefit and evolve?
• Specifically, what other programmatic function(s) could the building provide to promote new ways of learning (students) and yield vitality outcomes (town)?
• What considerations might have been overlooked as it relates to the integration and implementation of this project?

The Process

From college faculty, staff, and students to small downtown business owners, members of the farming community, and key community leaders, we choreographed two distinct workshop scenarios for our first two visits: Session 1 – Identity of Place and Session 2 – Iowa Nice.

In the first session, we intentionally siloed each group to explore how �鶹��ý is perceived through the eyes of its diverse population. Through cognitive mapping exercises and open dialogue, we came to understand the institutions and destinations that define the town and, in many ways, came to understand what is most sacred to �鶹��ý’s identity and longevity.

In Session 2, we prompted a more challenging conversation by unsiloing the groups and prompting participants to define what “Iowa Nice” means. This became a jumping off point to better understand the layered history of both division and unity that seems to define �鶹��ý’s past and current climate.

Our final session concluded with ‘open forum’ type conversations in which we initiated dialogue with participants about our initial conclusions.

Observations

In light of this particularly polarized moment in American history, we kept returning to the notion of �鶹��ý as a ‘microcosm’ of the nation. As outlined in our supporting data/visual catalog, and interview excerpts, we identified a series of visible and invisible influences that contribute to a sense of polarity. These forces include but are not limited to issues of national significance such as the sociocultural and economic impact of digital retail (ex: Amazon), and issues such as food security/quality and access to healthcare and education. And, at the micro level of �鶹��ý, we identified the trajectory of the college and the town have often been or perceived to be at odds.

Initial Conclusions

Based on these observations, we came to the conclusion that we would be doing �鶹��ý a disservice if we were to propose a singular programmatic purpose (outside of student residences) such as “skate park” or “museum.” Instead, we believe the answer is multi pronged and multifaceted; we propose a Forum – place for convening with the infrastructure to support cultural and intellectual exchange; small businesses; and, equally important, respite and rejuvenation. To encourage a cross pollination of people and ideas requires a nimble multiplicity of spaces and purposes that can be activated at different scales. We envision a new action-oriented community anchor that buzzes just as much in its in between thresholds where happen-stance can facilitate new connections between users from all walks of �鶹��ý.

Workshop Process

• Session 1:  Identity of Place                            November 11-12, 2019
• Session 2:  Iowa Nice                                           December 5-6, 2019
• Session 3:  Divisions & Consensus                        January 27-28, 2020

Listening Sessions

Quotes