Jasey Michelle's 365/366 Photo a Day Blog

Four-times larger than the previous building it occupied, the new Science Center of Iowa (2006) was designed to engage visitors in scientific discovery and serve as a cultural icon for Des Moines. The Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership's architectural expression in the building includes the use of strong color and a sense of transparency achieved by exposing indoor activities to outside passersby. A 220-seat IMAX Dome Theater, a 175-seat Science Adventure Theater, and a 50-foot domed Star Theater are highlighted in black and blue tones, evoking sky and water. To complement neighboring red-brick buildings in its urban neighborhood, the Science Center uses a combination of red/orange terracotta panels, polished stainless-steel panels, glass, and contrasting yellow brick.