Tag Archives: INVISION

INVISION Honored with Two National Design Awards

The Following information was submitted by our investor INVISION.

INVISION received a Gold Award and a Merit Award in the national 2016 Association of Licensed Architects Design Awards Program.

INVISION, a planning, architecture and interiors firm with locations in Des Moines and Waterloo, received two awards in the recent 2016 Association of Licensed Architects (ALA) Design Awards Program. INVISION received the Gold Award for work on the Cedar Valley SportsPlex in Waterloo, Iowa, as well as a Merit Award for a mountain cabin private residence in Whitefish, MT.

ALA uses the Design Awards Program as an annual showcase of the power of design by its members nation-wide. A complete list of winners will be highlighted in the 2016 winter issue of Licensed Architect magazine.

Cedar Valley Sportsplex, Gold Award

The Waterloo Development Corporation teamed with INVSION to provide an affordable and high-quality fitness center to improve the health and wellness of the community. One key objective in the design of the Cedar Valley SportsPlex was the expression of movement throughout the project; from the gently curving fieldhouse roof to the transparent glazing throughout the facility—bodies in motion was consistently at the forefront of design thought. A wood datum wall divides the two main volumes and makes a monumental statement inside the space. The use of wood throughout the facility provides cohesion between the basketball court, bleachers, and wayfinding elements while delivering a modern, yet natural aesthetic. The Sportsplex attracts patrons from across the Cedar Valley and houses indoor soccer fields, basketball and volleyball courts, a leisure pool, an elevated four-lane running track, weight and cardio workout areas, fitness studios, a golf practice area, child care, kid’s gym, and departmental offices.

A Mountain Cabin, Merit Award

The design for this private vacation home was done in partnership with Hunter & Company Interior Designs. It caters to an active family whose contemporary style broke the mold of the traditional rustic mountain home. The exterior design is carried through into the interior architecture through strategic use of natural materials and soft colors that complement the mountain views and contemporary lines. Extensive use of glass maintains a strong connection to the outdoors and blends with the interior to create a sophisticated sanctuary.

INVISION is honored to be recognized in this competition and looks forward to the next opportunity to create imaginative and client-focused design solutions that have a positive impact on the people who experience them.

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – The VGM Group

CEO Mike Mallaro accepts the Business of the Year Award.

The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber presented their Annual Awards on Thursday, March 31, 2016. The VGM Group received the Business of the Year Award for companies with 51+ employees. PDCM Insurance sponsors this award.

View the presentation video about the VGM Group , produced by Pyke Studios, here.

With 25 years of success, The VGM Group includes more than 20 business units. The most recent $20m expansion adds 70,000 square feet of new offices to the San Marnan Ave. corporate campus and will be home to 300 employees. The $2m renovation of the Alexandra Drive location accommodates growth of new tech based jobs.

VGM is a 100% owned by its 650+ employees through Employee Stock Ownership Plan “ESOP”, keeping wealth in the Cedar Valley and creating an employee focused culture and unique employment brand. VGM is one of Iowa’s 2015 Top Workplace in the Large Company category selected through an independent survey by Workplace Dynamics.

VGM’s annual Heartland Conference contributed an economic benefit of $1.1 million in the Cedar Valley in 2015 alone.

To help develop, strengthen, and retain talent in the company and the Cedar Valley, VGM participates in Iowa’s STEM Student Internship Program and has developed an internal professional development program for emerging leaders with in their company.

View a video of the entire event, including acceptance speeches, produced by Cedar Falls Cable is here.

Construction Begins on Cedar Valley TechWorks Campus

Cedar Valley of Iowa, (May 19, 2014) Construction is underway at the Cedar Valley TechWorks Campus. Modifications to the existing Tech I structure started on April 14, 2014 as part of the $2M construction project. This project focuses on basic interior renovations and preparation for additional projects on the first two floors. The project will bring both spaces to a ready state for future tenant improvements. The current project includes insulation, windows, basic utilities, lighting, and HVAC. Tenants for the first and second floors have been identified, with negotiations ongoing. The project is scheduled for completion fall 2014. The Cedar Valley’s Cardinal Construction is the design-build general contractor. INVISION is their design partner.

“This project is significant in that it lays the groundwork for all future tenant spaces,” says Steve Dust, President/CEO of the Alliance & Chamber and President, TechWorks Campus. “It represents the diligent behind the scene efforts of the TechWorks board and staff, and is a visual sign of progress to the community.”

Cedar Valley TechWorks is a 30-acre advanced manufacturing and biotechnology research, development and education center, creating business and manufacturing cluster. The campus is located in downtown Waterloo, Iowa adjacent to the John Deere Westfield manufacturing operations. The campus includes two historic former Deere manufacturing buildings; Tech I and Tech II. The Tech I building includes: the University of Northern Iowa Metal Casting Center featuring the ExOne 3D printer – the largest in North America; industrial manufacturing space; tech shop or ‘tinkers’ space; incubator; and classrooms. Tech II is the starting point of the larger Green@TechWorks development project which includes: the John Deere Regional Training Center; an internationally recognized business class hotel; fine dining establishment; office and conference space. The John Deere Waterloo & Tractor Museum is also located on the campus and is scheduled to open in the summer of 2014. The campus includes parcels suitable for larger scale manufacturing facilities. TechWorks is the first technology park of its kind in the Iowa to combine world class business amenities within a Brownfield industrial redevelopment project. TechWorks has been designated as the site of the Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Center (IAMC) by the Iowa Innovation Corporation.

“The Cedar Valley has a rich history of value-added manufacturing and industrial innovation which makes TechWorks an ideal location for the statewide IAMC resource center,” says Cary Darrah, Vice President of Community Development and General Manager of Cedar Valley TechWorks Campus.

Cedar Valley TechWorks is a subsidiary of by the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber.

For more information on the Cedar Valley TechWorks, contact Cary Darrah, General Manager of Cedar Valley TechWorks Campus by calling (319)232-1156 or email cdarrah@cedarvalleyalliance.com, or Wes James, at wjames@cedarvalleyalliance.com.

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