News Releases

The University of Iowa Visual Arts Building continues to win awards for its design, innovation and architecture—and now concrete. The American Concrete Institute (ACI) has awarded the University of Iowa Visual Arts Building first place in the low-rise buildings category in its annual Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards. Miron Construction Co., Inc. self-performed the placement of all concrete for the building.

The new five-story facility for the University of Iowa’s School of Art and Art History is designed around a central atrium and brings together a diverse array of traditional art disciplines like ceramics, printmaking, sculpture, painting and drawing with more digitally-minded photography, 3D design, graphic design, and video art. It also includes graduate student studios, faculty and staff studios and offices, and gallery space.

“As the general contractor on this project, Miron Construction is beyond proud to see the University of Iowa Visual Arts Building honored yet again,” said Jonathan Daniels, vice president, Iowa operations for Miron. “The ACI honors only the best of the best with its Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards, and we’re privileged to be ranked amongst some of the most creative and visually stunning concrete buildings around the globe.”

Concrete was the major building material utilized on the project and was used to create floors, walls, and ceilings. All formed concrete was exposed and either painted or polished. The center atrium of the space was sculpted with concrete handrails and winding stairs.

Award winners were recognized and honored for their outstanding work on October 15, 2018, at the ACI Awards Gala in Las Vegas. The University of Iowa Visual Arts Building has been recognized with several awards, including: ENR Midwest Best Projects Award – Higher Education/Research; Architect’s Newspaper Building of the Year Award: Midwest; Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture prize; American Institute of Architects –  NY Honor award; Interior Design – Best of the Year award – Education; Society of American Registered Architects – Design Awards of Excellence; Iowa Ready Mixed Concrete Association – Excellence in Concrete award; and the Excellence in Energy Efficiency Design – Commercial New Construction award.