The Harkin Institute

The Harkin Institute

The new two-story, 16,000 sq. ft. building was designed to serve as a distinguished landmark on the Drake University campus. The Harkin Institute, founded in 2013, seeks to advocate, research and develop public policy issues that were important to former Iowa State Senator, Tom Harkin. It promotes understanding of the issues to which he devoted his career, including his historic legislation, the Americans with Disabilities Act. The facility sets a new standard for universal and inclusive design. Features include: a two-story ramp that will serve as the primary, common path between floors for all building users; generously sized circulation spaces to support sign-language conversations and multiple wheelchair-users; high-contrast and textural cues for low-vision individuals; gender-inclusive restrooms; and close proximity between accessible parking spaces and the building’s front entrance. The building program also includes an auditorium, gallery and event space, research space, and a spectrum of spaces for work and collaboration.