Slate Architecture is honored to have contributed to the newly opened Iowa West Foundation Collaboration Center, located at the Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus in Council Bluffs, IA. The $14.1 million center, officially launched in September 2024, brings together Firefly, Together Inc., Iowa Legal Aid, and the Visiting Nurse Association under one roof.
Designed with the community in mind, the center features essential amenities, including conference rooms, a teaching kitchen, and the Rod Rhoden Rooftop Patio. It offers nonprofits like Iowa Legal Aid a much-needed upgrade—marking their first relocation in over four decades—and gives organizations a modern, collaborative environment to better serve clients with dignity and efficiency.
Located on a bus line and next to the Boys and Girls Club and Salvation Army, the Collaboration Center also houses Together Inc.'s full-service food pantry, enhancing its accessibility to the community. According to Iowa West Foundation's president and CEO, Brenda Mainwaring, the center aligns with the foundation’s ongoing efforts to address hunger and create a space where nonprofits can collaborate more effectively.
At the ribbon-cutting event, Council Bluffs mayor Matt Walsh along with leaders from across the nonprofit sector emphasized the unique and forward-thinking nature of the Lakin Campus, calling it a national model for human services collaboration. This project represents another important milestone in Slate Architecture’s mission to design spaces that unite communities, inspire cooperation, and provide vital support services.
For more details, read the full article from The Daily Nonpareil here.
Dwayne and his team were always careful to work with us to ensure that we planned what we could afford with the most appealing design possible. Dwayne personally is easy to work with and committed to ensuring that nonprofits get the best value for their investment.
The Slate team has been fantastic to work with. Feel very fortunate to have such a great partner guiding us through the process and designing two new facilities to support our customers and employees.
Working with Slate was very beneficial for our small non-profit. They were understanding of our financial restrictions and Jeremy was very quick to respond and work as a team with our contractor to keep the project moving forward and within budget. We enjoyed working with them and love our new office!