Goldfinch Lofts - Mass Timber Tour

About the project:

Situated at the corner of Ingersoll Avenue and 35th Street in Des Moines, Goldfinch Lofts is a three-story mixed-use development setting a new benchmark for sustainable design. The project features ground-level retail and restaurant spaces with 28 mixed-income apartments above, offering one- and two-bedroom units.The residential levels are targeting PHIUS (Passive House Institute U.S.) Certification, while the entire building aims to achieve Zero Carbon Certification through the International Living Future Institute, positioning it to become the nation’s first LIHTC project to earn this distinction and Iowa’s first Passive House certified multifamily building. Utilizing a mass timber structural system, Goldfinch Lofts expresses sustainability through both performance and beauty, delivering a warm, natural aesthetic that reflects its ambitious environmental mission.

About the Architect:

Knop Killeen Architects is an award winning full-service architecture and interior design practice based in Des Moines, Iowa. Founded in 2021 by Cody Knop, the firm focuses on developing elegant design solutions to commercial and residential projects of all scales and complexities throughout the United States. Our work is guided by a commitment to creating refined, thoughtful, and timeless architecture that is contextual and individually tailored to address the unique design challenges and goals of our clients. To achieve this, we draw upon the collective experience of our entire studio and carefully selected consultant teams to work collaboratively toward thorough, well crafted, and environmentally responsible solutions.

Cody Knop is a graduate of Iowa State University where he received a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 2007. Prior to establishing Knop Killeen Architects (formerly Knop Architects) in 2021, Cody was a Project Architect in the award-winning architecture offices of Lake Flato Architects in San Antonio, Texas as well as Substance Architecture and Jeffrey Morgan Architecture Studio in Des Moines, Iowa. Cody has over 15 years of experience in designing a wide range of building types including single-family residential, commercial, higher education, hospitality, adaptive reuse, and mixed-use projects. Throughout his career, he has focused on executing his client’s goals and vision with an attention to craft, rigor, and elegance which has led to numerous state, regional and national award winning projects, including the Blue Lake Retreat project, which was awarded a National Housing Design Excellence Award in 2017.

About the Developer:

Scott and Molly Cutler own Cutler Development, a commercial real estate development firm based in Des Moines, Iowa. The firm’s mission is to “develop projects that better neighborhoods, society and the environment.” They focus on urban infill, mixed-use, and affordable housing projects – all with a focus on sustainability. Their recent projects utilize a newly emerging construction technology called mass timber to reduce the carbon footprint of the projects. Most recently, one of their projects is on track to feature the first affordable housing units nationwide to achieve the International Living Future Institute’s Zero Carbon certification.

Scott has over 15 years of industry experience with commercial development including specific experience with historic renovation, affordable housing, and environmental design. Molly joined Cutler Development full time in 2020 after almost a decade working for ExxonMobil in Houston, Texas where she held leadership roles in engineering, manufacturing, data analytics, and business development during her tenure. Scott and Molly live in the Greater Des Moines area with their young son and dog. They enjoy biking, volunteering, and traveling.

Parking Information:

Please park across the street at Price Chopper

PPE Requirements:

Closed-toe shoes
Hard hats

Tickets:
$10 BEC-Iowa Members
$20 Non-Members
Have a Membership Package? This event is FREE!

This event is pending approval for AIA continuing education credits.

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Host or Publisher Building Enclosure Council of Iowa (BEC-Iowa)