IOWA RIVER GAZEBO

The Iowa River Gazebo in Coralville, IA, is a trail rest stop that overlooks the river and features free-standing exhibits and historical displays that explain Coralville’s history and founding.

According to Jesse W. Lewis, ASLA, a partner at RDG Planning & Design: “The gazebo’s arched metal roofs link the structure to the arches of the new pedestrian bridge that crosses the Iowa River and connects the Iowa City peninsula to the Coralville riverfront. The brick and stone gazebo materials pay homage to the architectural materials of the adjacent 1900’s vintage Iowa River Power Restaurant (an adaptive re-use of the Iowa River Power Company). The appearance and form of the gazebo established the design benchmark and building materials vocabulary for future development along the Iowa River in Coralville.”

The gazebo’s roof panels are HR-36 24-GA exposed fastener panels, manufactured by AEP Span at its Fontana, CA, plant. The panels were curved using Curveline’s patented “crimp-curving” method, which creates a dimpled effect that catches sunlight and adds visual interest to the arched roofs.

The crimp-curving process used by Ontario, CA-based Curveline increases the load factor of the panels so that they are virtually self-supporting. Classic Recreation Systems of Dewey, AZ, prefabricated the gazebo framing and roofing for fast and easy final assembly at the project site using hidden bolt connections. The installer fastening roof panels were attached to the tube steel framing without decking.

RDG Planning & Design, located in Des Moines, IA, collaborated on the gazebo’s design with NNW Inc. of Iowa City, though RDG maintained responsibility for the final planning and design. The adjacent bridge was designed by NNW Inc. and Neumann Monson Architects, also of Iowa City.

All American Concrete Inc., West Liberty, IA, was the project’s general contractor and gazebo erector.
Curveline is headquartered in Ontario, CA. In addition to profiles offered by AEP Span, the company is able to curve products offered by other leading metal roofing manufacturers as well.