Architecture That Inspires: In Conversation With Danielle Hermann
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In the heart of Des Moines, Iowa, stands a building that challenges our perception of what corporate architecture can be. The Krause Gateway Center isn't just another office building—it's a masterclass in architectural innovation that blends art, function, and community engagement.
We recently had the pleasure of hosting Danielle Hermann, Principal at OPN Architects, during a webinar where we spoke about this inspiring project.
"The influence of both the urban environment and art were major drivers for the design thinking and the vision that the client had for what the project needed to be."
-Danielle Hermann, Principal at OPN Architects
The Krause Gateway Center’s design demonstrates a profound respect for its urban surroundings, particularly in its relationship with the nearby sculpture park. Instead of mirroring the park’s open lawns filled with standalone sculptures, the design team envisioned a complementary approach. They created a space resembling a forested sanctuary, with dense trees, winding pathways, and shaded areas where art could be subtly integrated into the landscape. This choice adds a layer of natural, immersive beauty to the urban context, offering both openness and intimacy.
This thoughtful response to context wasn't just about aesthetics. As Hermann shared, "The client always spoke about how they thought about the design as a gift back to the city of Des Moines." This approach is a reminder of architecture's potential: every project is an opportunity to enhance the urban fabric, add beauty, and create spaces that offer something back to the community.
"Renzo's team did a phenomenal job listening to what was important about this site and that really drove the response."
-Danielle Hermann, Principal at OPN Architects
A core strength of the Krause Gateway Center lies in how community engagement actively shaped its vision and design. From the outset, the partnership between Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW) and OPN Architects fostered a process rooted in listening and understanding. The team initiated community visioning sessions, inviting voices from all around the site—corporate neighbors, longtime residents of the historic neighborhood, and city leaders alike—to discuss what they valued about the area, and how they could preserve it.
The results of this inclusive approach are evident in the final design. Elements such as multiple access points, connectivity to bike trails, and intuitive navigation reflect a design that aligns with the site’s unique needs. "Renzo's team did a phenomenal job listening to what was important about this site and that really drove the response," Hermann explains.
The project’s success in balancing different functions offers valuable insights into program integration and design identity. The collaboration between Renzo Piano’s team and OPN Architects combined Renzo Piano’s expertise in creating the iconic building that functioned like an art gallery, and for OPN to make the functional multi-tenant corporate headquarters space. This dual approach led to a building that feels equally like a corporate headquarters and a contemporary art gallery.
This approach has led many to ask, “Is this a corporate headquarters that functions like an art gallery, or is it more of an art gallery with a corporate headquarters built into it?” Hermann embraces this ambiguity, noting, “The fact that people have to ask is actually great. That means we succeeded, because it has a feeling of being both at once.” This blurring of boundaries underscores the project’s success in fusing artistic and functional elements into a cohesive, multifunctional space.
The Krause Gateway Center exemplifies how urban constraints can inspire architectural innovation, with its form directly shaped by the unique shift in Des Moines' city grid. The first four floors establish a strong urban presence along Grand Avenue, with an overhang that extends outward to create a clear, grounded frontage. However, as the building rises, the fifth floor is rotated to align with a change in the grid, giving the structure its signature profile.
This shift does more than create visual interest—it opens up new opportunities for outdoor spaces with expansive views of both the river and Ingersoll Avenue. What could have been a challenging constraint became a central design feature, illustrating how the Krause Gateway Center embraces its urban context to enhance both function and aesthetic impact.
“One of my favorite stories was when a site superintendent said— “most tape measures don’t even have a 32nd of an inch measurement.” Giorgio Bianchi from Renzo Piano’s office responded— “Well, mine does.””
-Danielle Hermann, Principal at OPN Architects
The Krause Gateway Center’s commitment to precision is visible in every detail, adhering to a strict 40-inch module that aligns and unifies all elements within the building. This standard demanded rigorous accuracy, with details refined down to tolerances of 1/16th and 1/32nd of an inch.
One story captures this commitment: when a site superintendent commented that “most tape measures don’t even have a 32nd of an inch measurement,” Giorgio Bianchi from Renzo Piano’s office responded, “Well, mine does.” This meticulousness was carried by all involved. At the building’s grand opening, sub-trades proudly shared their work with family, underscoring the pride and precision behind every element of the project.
Looking Forward
The Krause Gateway Center stands as a testament to what's possible when architectural vision meets community needs. Through our conversation with Hermann, it's clear that successful architecture requires more than bold design—it demands careful attention to context, community, and sustainability. The Krause Gateway Center demonstrates how thoughtful process, inclusive engagement, and innovative problem-solving can come together to create architecture that truly inspires.