Bachelor of Design senior Abigail Westemeyer paints the facade of the new Ames Community Preschool Center building. Photo by Bob Elbert. (Download)
When Iowa State University Architecture Lecturer Maria Miller learned that her son's preschool had purchased the former Willson-Beardshear Elementary building in Ames, she came up with a project idea for her Bachelor of Design summer studio: Rebrand the building's exterior for its new tenant — the Ames Community Preschool Center.
With donations of materials, tools and labor from Lowe's, Valspar, Reiman Gardens and ISU Facilities Planning and Management (not to mention the retired bricklayer who lives next door), Ames' oldest private, nonprofit preschool is spruced up with new paint, signage and landscaping.
"Our project had almost no support to begin with, but after the students did a video, people got onboard. The neighbors even came out and offered to help when they saw us working," Miller said.
Maria Miller (Download)
"This is a worthy adaptive-reuse project and choosing to rebrand the facade first was a great way to get attention for the school and their continued fundraising needs. The building now has a new identity in the community," she said.
The building needs additional bathrooms and a commercial kitchen, according to ACPC Director Sue Wuhs.
ACPC started in a downtown church in 1968 and "has been looking for a permanent home for 45 years," Wuhs said. The empty school building met their needs for accessibility and a central Ames location.
Miller said the exterior rebranding project offered the Iowa State students real-world experience in a variety of design areas.
"It's a multidisciplinary studio class, so this has been a great opportunity because the students have interests in all areas of design — from graphic design to landscape architecture," Miller said.
Although the class is ending, three students will continue to work with ACPC on exterior lighting, wayfinding, and path and bench designs.
