The five-story rotunda, whose exterior marks a visual and literal edge to the University of Iowa’s Performing Arts Campus, anchors the complex and acts as its main public meeting and circulation space. This primary reception lobby integrates numerous works of art by faculty, students and local artists. It is circled by a ceremonial stair and cantilevered bridges that create a promenade, leading visitors to the public assembly spaces located at the top of the building—typically a site for executive offices.

A double-height, circular boardroom with a terrace “sits” on the rotunda. This flexible space, capped by an inverted dome, is finished in cherry and features concentric, custom-designed conference tables. Divisible by acoustic panels into three separate spaces, the boardroom can be linked to the adjacent entertainment room, which implements sophisticated audiovisual systems.

The top floor of the building’s bar element contains three major assembly halls, two roof terraces and a staff dining hall. The sculptural forms of these rooms distinguish their public functions from the three floors of administrative offices below and define a “cornice” to the arts campus.

Named for two of the university’s most generous benefactors, the Levitt Center for University Advancement houses the University’s Foundation, Alumni Association, and Division of Alumni Records and Services. It provides a central focus for all of the University’s advancement-related activities: fund raising, alumni communications and outreach, student recruitment, public relations, economic development and legislative liaison.

Associate Architect: Brooks Borg Skiles Architecture Engineering

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