OTL Prepares for First Project in Iowa

The OTL team will soon be Iowa-bound where it will begin work on its first Hawkeye State project – a participatory water feature for Cowles Commons in the heart of Des Moines. A redesign and renovation of an existing landmark plaza, Cowles Commons provides a new vision and purpose as a world-class cultural and urban destination. Des Moines Performing Arts is leading the effort, bringing together the design team and fundraising necessary for this important revitalization.

Cowles Commons’ 120 x 50-foot fountain will feature 17 nozzles, each creating an angled arch of water varying in height from two to possibly 20 feet. Individual arches will rise and fall in choreographed succession to create rolling waves of movement. The entire fountain will be contained within a zero-depth membrane pool that is expected to entice pedestrian waders while allowing easy drainage for use of the entire space for events.

A total of 56 LED lights will illuminate the showpiece water feature, which will be controlled by two separate manifolds to allow flexibility in the number of nozzles put into operation.

OTL will complete all mechanical, electrical and lighting services for the interactive water feature, which is expected to be complete in late fall. The water feature designer is Fluidity Design Consultants and the general contractor is The Weitz Company.