Wapello County Historical Society and Museum

Concept Design and Renders

In 2021, WBa worked with Lord Cultural Resources and Bluewater Studio to develop an Interpretive Plan and Preliminary Concept Design for the Wapello County Historical Society and Museum. Previously an office space, the building required the creation of distinct, gallery-dedicated zones subdivided into areas with different characteristics.

The guiding aesthetic for this gallery is the idea of “the man-made meets the natural.” This concept reflects Iowa’s identity with cities shaped around rivers such as the Des Moines, industries adjacent to farmland, and the presence of natural and semi-natural (agricultural) environments in daily life. In contrast to the existing architecture, exhibit elements that subdivide the space are free-flowing and intended to evoke natural forms, such as meandering rivers, rolling hills, and wooded trails.

Interpretive Planning: Lord Cultural Resources
Renderings: WeatherstonBruer Associates