Drake University renovated the first floor of the Olmsted Center to enhance the student experience and create welcoming, flexible spaces that support daily campus life. With the charge to make this space vibrant, this project refreshes interiors for the Bulldog Shop, Welcome Center, Lobby and Breezeway, and provides additional amenities with the Campus Living Room, and the DRAKE On the Go C-Store.

As a bustling hub for students, staff, and visitors, Olmsted serves as a popular gathering and social space. Opening tired, closed off spaces allowed the first floor to breathe again and to create a refined backdrop for moments of character and play, incorporating features such as a Lite-Brite wall, comfortable seating, a fireplace, and interactive gaming.

Eye-catching finishes and vibrant graphics bring color and texture throughout the space. New flooring was carefully integrated with existing materials, while felt ceiling baffles were used to define areas and maintain access to mechanical systems, meeting City of Des Moines code requirements without compromising the design.

Close collaboration with key design and construction stakeholders was essential to navigating budgets and implementing nimble design solutions with limited changes. The result transformed vacant offices, outdated finishes, and mechanical systems into a cohesive, engaging environment that brings a new life to Drake’s student center and will serve the campus well for years to come.