MUSCATINE, Iowa–After years of thoughtful planning and meticulous execution, the Stanley Center for Peace and Security opened its building to the public for the first time on June 2. To celebrate their achievement, the members of the Stanely Center allowed the public to tour the facility and hosted a sustainability fair. They also hosted a private dinner on June 3.

For over a year, Neumann Monson Architects worked to convert the Musser Public Library’s previous space at 304 Iowa Avenue in Muscatine, built in 1971, into a self-sufficient headquarters for the Stanley Center for Peace and Security. To highlight its commitment to addressing climate change, the Stanley Center designed its building to meet Living Building Challenge standards, which include tying the building to its natural environment, collecting and recycling all its water, generating enough renewable energy to power itself, using building materials safe for humans and the environment, and providing healthy, equitable, and beautiful spaces for the building’s occupants to use. HNI, founded by Max Stanley, who also founded the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, assisted as well, creating much of the building’s furniture from sustainable materials. Once the Stanley Center receives Living Building certification, it will represent one of only 35 buildings to have done so and one of only four to do so with a renovated building.

With work completed, Vice President and Director of Communications Mark Seaman delighted in inviting the community into the Stanley Center’s new headquarters. “It feels wonderful!” he shared. “It’s been three years in the making, and we’ve been mostly on schedule, despite the pandemic and supply chain issues.”

Throughout the afternoon and evening on June 2, community members could take a self-guided tour through the recently finished headquarters and talk with the architects about the space’s structure and interior design.

Outside, more than 30 community organizations, including the Muscatine Art Center, the Muscatine Center for Social Action, Muscatine County Conservation, Muscatine Power and Water, and the Musser Public Library, gathered to engage with community members of all ages and share environmentally friendly living information with them. During the fair, local groups, including Los Cometas Mariachi Band from West Liberty High School and the African choir from Calvary Church, performed.

Stanley Center for Peace and Security President and CEO Keith Porter welcomed the chance to engage with residents. He hoped all who attended learned, “that the principles of environmental sustainability can be applied by anyone.”

All photos by Margaret Hurlbert.

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  The Stanley Center for Peace and Security transformed the old Musser Public Library into a sustainable building with solar panels, a water catchment system, low-maintenance Accoya wood cladding, and a garden of native plants to absorb water runoff.

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  In the front window stands the Tree of Accountability statue by Nancy Morris-Judd and Native American Consultant Deana Dartt. It incorporates metal from the library's old guardrails and recycled library book pages to give examples of meaningful reparations for Native Americans.

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  Near the front doors, a living room provides a space for large gatherings.

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  The cafeteria incorporates recycled glass countertops, a pearl button blank backsplash, and an oak farm table to create a beautiful and usable space reminiscent of Muscatine's history.

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  First-floor bike racks and an onsite fitness center give Stanley Center members opportunities to care for their well-being. This area features a habitable zone with emergency heating, cooling, running water, electricity, and refrigeration access.

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  The Stanley Center removed part of the old library to create a courtyard, providing more outside space, natural views for employees, and room for a garden to grow herbs and vegetables for the Muscatine Center for Social Action food pantry next door.

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  Stanley Center members can find flexible work areas throughout the building.

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  The Stanley Center opted to make all offices the same size, regardless of occupants' roles. The few offices that do not have windows feature a plant wall.

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  Several wellness rooms on the second floor provide private spaces for Stanley Center Members to recharge.

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  Over 30 local organizations hosted a sustainability fair on Iowa Avenue with food trucks and musical performances.