Accord Architecture

Buildings at the turn of the century are sometimes left to wither away or even be torn down. Kingland Systems of Clear Lake, Iowa saw an opportunity in Ames, Iowa near the campus of Iowa State University to revitalize a building and make good use of it for their company at the same time. This turn-of-the-century former theatre was once a place for performing arts, including an orchestra pit and balcony. Kingland's intention was not to use it for theatre use, but instead convert it into a unique office. Kingland hires college students at ISU for computer operation. Accord's design of this facility has been a success for the community of Ames as well as Kingland. Students work at flat-screen computers along tables in an open-office environment that feels as though they are at a movie theatre. Sound-fold drapery is used at the sidewalls of the auditorium, along with tivoli aisle lighting and a very large projection screen. The former stage area was converted into a two large rooms, one for conferencing and other other for management offices. A curtainwall of glass and aluminum was used at the stage opening. The floor surface of the balcony was reconstructed to allow more open-office seating at computers, while the former projection room is now management office space. This project is a good example of how adaptive reuse can be accomplished. Most recently, Kingland hired Accord to design additional office space above a restaurant next to this theatre.

In the late 1980's, Accord's parent company, Henkel Construction, was looking for a new location for their home office in Mason City, Iowa. Henkel purchased the historical building known as the Carnegie Library (Mason City's original library) and converted it into office space after placing it on the National Register of Historic Places. Accord designed the renovation and restoration and both companies currently enjoy the stature and beauty of this grand building as their home office.