ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC AGENCY
State Headquarters:
Springfield, ILlinois

This 33,000 SF Prairie Style building provides the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) a secure, energy efficient and beautiful headquarters for at least the next 30 years. The building will be the first major LEED Certified office structure in Springfield when completed.   The design is highly specialized for the Agency’s mission of providing affordable and reliable electric energy to its member communities. 

A 40 member Board Room with electronic voting, a 30 seat gallery, and a secure, state-of-the-art, 24/7/365 Control Center are integrated with offices and support. The Control Center monitors the electric grid on a 20’ x 5’ video wall, sub-dividable into up to 20 separate images.  The data system is scalable and can be readily upgraded to keep pace with the changes in technology.

The brick and stone exterior recalls Prairie Style patterning while keeping the aesthetic in the 21st century.  Wide trim and a crossing pattern in the wood furniture and wainscot panels continue the theme. The lobby floor granite pattern echoes the Sumac Pattern art glass found in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Dana Thomas House. The facility features a drive-in basement with 5 parking bays, a category F-5 tornado shelter containing the Control Center and a sophisticated geothermal heat pump mechanical system.  The new building will serve IMEA’s needs for the foreseeable future once occupied in late 2007.