Our Work
- Athletics
- Kinnick Stadium – University of Iowa
- Tea Sports Complex
- Coralville Sports Complex
- Sherman Park Softball Complex Renovation
- Simpson College Stadium Improvements
- Augustana College Athletics Complex + Soccer Field
- Shantou University Sports Park
- Memorial Park Outdoor Hockey Rink
- Martensdale – St. Marys Football Facility
- Colleges + Universities
- University of Kansas – Campus Planning
- Drake University – Campus Planning
- Dordt College – Campus Planning
- South Dakota State University – Campus Planning
- University of Iowa – Campus Planning
- Iowa State University – Campus Planning
- Kirkwood Community College – Campus Planning
- Augustana College – Campus Planning
- University of Northern Iowa – Campus Planning
- Iowa Central Community College – Campus Planning
- South Dakota State University – Residence Hall Design
- University of Iowa – Residence Hall Design
- Commercial + Mixed-Use
- Corporate
- Health Care + Senior Living
- Civic + Institutions
- Iowa State Capitol West Terrace
- Olathe Community Center
- Lenexa Fire Station #5
- Waterfront Convention Center
- Children’s Museum of South Dakota
- Missouri Department of Conservation Regional Office
- Kansas City Zoo – Deramus Educational Complex
- Iowa State Fairgrounds
- SDSU – McCrory Gardens Visitor Center
- Des Moines Art Festival Entrance
- Museum of Visual Materials Courtyard
- Parks + Open Space
- Raccoon River Park
- Stagecoach Park Master Plan
- Longview Park + Aquatics Center
- McKennan Park
- Veteran’s Memorial Park
- R.A. Bloch Cancer Survivor’s Park
- Andy Goldsworthy: Three Cairns Installations
- Gambril Park + Trailhead
- Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum
- Olathe Memorial Cemetery Expansion
- Walnut Creek
- Elmen Park Trailhead
- Thelin Park
- Clear Creek Trail + Trailhead
- Roosevelt Park
- Planning
- K-7 Corridor Economic Development Strategy
- Missouri Innovation Park
- Overland Park Downtown Form-Based Code
- Cedar Creek Area Plan + Overlay District
- Vine Street District Economic Development Plan
- East Village Market District Master Plan
- 2 Rivers District Land Use + Redevelopment Plan
- Iowa State Capitol Complex Master Plan
- Old Town Coralville Master Plan
- Corridors + Streetscapes
- Primary + Secondary Schools
- Residential Development
- Transportation + Transit
- Waterfronts
- LEED
Iowa State Fairgrounds
Des Moines, Iowa
Confluence led the design and planning efforts for several key additions and enhancements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Heritage Stage (Susan Knapp Amphitheater): Confluence led the site planning and design for the creation of the Heritage Stage (later renamed the Susan Knapp Amphitheater). Our team of landscape architects developed plans for proposed seating areas and pedestrian circulation, while also providing access to a loading dock for trailers and busses. The amphitheater seats 3,000 and accommodates up to 5,000 fairgoers. The site also features a restroom facility, dressing rooms, and storage areas.
Legacy Terrace: The Iowa State Fairgrounds retained Confluence to create a plaza space that would recognize past contributors to the fair. Located at the main entrance to the Grandstand, Legacy Terrace is composed of forms and patterns that are respectful of the adjacent architecture, allowing for both active and passive use. The central spine of the plaza is the donor recognition walk, which terminates with an informational kiosk. Radiating from the walk is a series of garden spaces, benches and flagpoles. Two existing hackberry trees were saved during construction and provide much needed shade to fair-goers and pedestrians alike.
The water-jet fountain is an active element of the space. Children walk beneath the shooting jets and can stand near the water source to get a refreshing splash. Our team worked very closely with the fair staff to mesh these improvements with existing site elements, while also meeting the schedule and keeping overall project costs within budget.
Pella Plaza: The plaza design was a collaborative effort between Brian Clark and Rhonda Martin of Bob Lenc. It represents a metaphorical gesture of the Iowa landscape. The eastern half of the space represents the meandering river corridors that border the state while the western half of the plaza signifies the Jeffersonian grid. These two collide at water features in the central portion of the space. The Pella Corporation is a proud sponsor of the plaza space, requesting the creation of a garden space unlike any other at the Iowa State Fair.
One of the most challenging factors was providing an accessible route up 15’ of grade change to the upper plaza/flag area. The serpentine path reflects the length of path required to achieve this, as well as representing the flowing nature of Iowa’s meandering waterways.
During the fair, the plaza is filled with children splashing, parents resting and others watching what truly makes the Iowa State Fair unique: the people of Iowa. County flags provide a ceremonious focal point at the east end of the plaza, allowing pedestrians to access the bosque of flagpoles by way of the secondary ‘river’ walk that also provides ADA compliant inclines to traverse the slope. Although the budget was limited, the design team made use of indigenous stone and native prairie and plant material, and utilized cost-effective equipment to create the mist fountain feature.
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