Facilities

  • Student worker at the College of Design Cafe.

    Design Cafe

    The Design Cafe is located on the first floor near the front entrance to the College of Design. It serves coffees, teas, sodas; sandwiches, salads, sides, and soups; and lots of tasty snacks and desserts! The cafe is operated by ISU Dining, and students can use their Dining Dollars and Flex Meal options here.

    View hours and menu
  • Exterior of the Design Store located on the second floor of the College of Design.

    The Design Store

    The Design Store is a branch of the Iowa State University Book Store located on the second floor of the College of Design building. For studio or just for fun, the store carries a variety of products, including everyday art supplies.

    View hours or shop online
  • Student working in the College of Design Model Shop.

    College Model Shop

    The Model Shop in room 0020 Design is available for student projects. A small fee for a semester pass gives you access to tools, time, the scraps room, and computer-aided cutting.

    Learn more about the College Model Shop
  • Student exploring exhibition held in Gallery 181.

    Gallery 181

    Gallery 181 is located on the first floor of the College of Design building. Exhibition viewing hours are 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday and by special arrangement. Closed weekends and university holidays. Admission is free.

    View our current exhibit
  • Student working in the Design Reading Room.

    Design Reading Room

    Located on the first floor of the College of Design in room 0111 Design, this facility houses books, journals, and other informational resources – both permanent and course reserve materials – that support the needs of students and faculty in all of the college’s academic programs. It also offers a quiet place to study. The Design Reading Room is part of the University Library.

    View library resources
  • Art supplies from The Design Closet.

    The Design Closet

    The Design Closet, managed by the Multicultural Student Services Office in the College of Design, collects and provides recycled and gently used supplies for students with financial need. It also partners with the University Book Store to provide students in the first-year Core Design Program courses with reduced-cost supply kits.

    Request or donate supplies

Information Technology Services

Iowa State’s College of Design uses computer-aided techniques, software, and equipment in the classroom and studio. To ensure access for all students, we offer three public computer labs with 80 machines, a full-service output facility, an ambitious laptop program serving 500 students, and more.

Students view College of Design architecture designs in the atrium of the Student Innovation Center

Student Innovation Center

The Student Innovation Center is the nexus on Iowa State’s campus where all Cyclones are invited to hone their innovation skills through experimentation, collaboration, and the free exchange of ideas. The College of Design offers a number of classes and opportunities throughout the building as well; visit the Letterpress Lab on the first floor and the Design classrooms on the fourth floor to see our students’ innovation in action.

Research Units

The Institute for Design Research and Outreach (IDRO) aims to stimulate and support research and outreach efforts in areas of strength and relevance to the design disciplines. The institute strives to promote interdisciplinary design research, to facilitate communication with design professionals and the public, and to respond to the needs of the people of Iowa in areas associated with the design disciplines.

Learn more about IDRO

The Community Design Lab (CDL) partners with communities and organizations, combining design research expertise with local knowledge to create equity and resilience through inclusive, transferable, innovative strategies and tactics.

Learn more about the CDL

The Computation and Construction Lab (CCL) works to connect developments in computation to the challenges of construction through teaching, research, and outreach.

Learn more about the CCL

The Center for Building Energy Research (CBER) focuses on the relationship between building design strategies and innovative technologies.

Learn more about the CBER

The Geographic Information Systems Support and Research Facility (GISF) supports the use of geographic information system (GIS) technology at Iowa State University, providing high-level GIS research support for students, faculty, and staff, and providing GIS education and outreach to the Iowa State community and the state of Iowa.

Learn more about the GISF

The Kies Sponsored Research Lab, located on the ground floor of the College of Design, supports the research of Design faculty, staff, and their graduate students who have externally-funded projects.

A prospective student and their family talk with an Iowa State University admissions representative.

A Cyclone in the Making

The best way to picture yourself on Iowa State’s campus is to visit and experience it yourself! Meet with Iowa State University students, tour the entire campus, and see our College of Design students creating and designing first-hand.