Last updated on May 24th, 2024 at 12:39 pm
Situated in the Midwest, Iowa is a populous state highly regarded for its livability. With low cost of living, economic opportunities, and a quality educational system, many current residents are happy with Iowa and others are seeking to move or build here.
This list below contains eleven of the area’s best residential architects behind some of Iowa’s most beautiful homes. They were chosen based on their merit, experience, and portfolios.
Neumann Monson Architects
221 East College Street Suite 303, Iowa City, IA 52240
Established in 1997, Neumann Monson Architects believes architecture has the power to empower people, cultivate communities, and protect natural resources. The firm has been decorated with many awards and distinctions from organizations like the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Over the past decade, it has received 62 AIA awards at the state (37), regional (22), and national level (3). Its most recent accolades include the 2021 COTE Top Ten Award, the 2020 AIA Iowa Excellence in Design Awards, and two Excellence in Craft Awards.
The firm also specializes in residential and commercial architecture, planning, and design. Its portfolio also depicts a variety of modern, traditional, and contemporary designs. The firm assists its clients throughout and is particularly noted for its thoughtful and relevant design solutions.
The firm achieves all of this success via its very own in-house professionals who share their years of experience in the industry. It emphasizes the importance of creating spaces that empower people and is noted to preserve natural resources.
substance architecture
1300 Walnut Street Suite 201, Des Moines, IA 50309
Operating out of its office in Des Moines, substance architecture has been in business since 2005 and extends its services throughout Des Moines and nearby areas. It brings together the talent and expertise of some of the region’s most recognized design professionals engaged in the disciplines of architecture, interior architecture, and design. The firm is committed to enduring architectural values more than ephemeral notions of style. All of its professionals work together to develop innovative design ideas tempered by experience and time-tested techniques. Moreover, substance architecture has received certifications from organizations such as the FAIA, AIA, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) AP.
The firm’s collaborative and communicative approach has resulted in a broad portfolio of effective building solutions. This ranges from an $85 million corporate campus to a wide range of project types in between. Focusing more on its designs, substance architecture’s portfolio showcases its expertise in modern and contemporary architecture.
PLaN Architecture
255 5th St., Sioux City, IA 51101
PLaN Architecture is a full-service design firm that has developed a strong niche in adaptive-reuse and public-private partnership projects. It operates out of its office in Sioux City and extends its services throughout the areas surrounding it. PLaN Architecture works on both commercial and residential projects and is respected for its excellent designs and processes. The firm is particularly noted for its active participation in making a positive impact in the community and takes on a wide variety of projects both small and large. It has a mastery that allows it to work on everything from architecture to interior design, park and outdoor structures, preservation and historic renovation, and site analysis.
The firm’s portfolio is a rich gallery of modern architectural styles. Featured here is this lake home, a structure that maximized lake views with its unique form. For this unique structure, the firm opted to artfully combine concrete, steel, and wood throughout the home.
Imprint Architects
1605 N Ankeny Blvd. Ste. 130, Ankeny, IA 50023
Imprint Architects is a full-service architectural firm that specializes in both residential and commercial projects. It extends its services throughout Ankeny and nearby areas and provides its clients with an extensive range of architectural work. Since its inception, the firm has curated an excellent clientele list along with a variety of project types. It recognizes the impact its designs bring to the lives of the people who work, dwell, and gather within the walls of its projects. Karl Chambers is the president of Imprint Architects. He oversees the management of the firm and remains hands-on in all aspects of the design and construction process.
Under his leadership, the firm takes a more collaborative approach in the design and construction of buildings. It combines strong values with a team approach to project management to develop a more efficient process and better-designed, higher-quality buildings.
Concepts In Design Inc.
3280 Zander Lane, Dexter, IA 50070
Concepts in Design has the expertise required for residential and commercial projects. It offers its clients architecture, landscape design, interior design, and furniture design services in any style. It assists its clients throughout the entire process, from conception all the way through completion. At its helm is its president and designer, Bruce Pierce, who leads the team in creating projects of the highest quality for its clients regardless of their budget. He has over 50 years of experience in the above design disciplines.
The firm has had over 170 projects featured in 40 different magazines such as Better Homes and Gardens. It has also won national awards in residential and commercial architectural design. It offers a look into its expert designs via its excellent portfolio. Its best work can be seen in this project featured here. For this home, the firm opted for a classic modern contemporary theme. Warm tones and colorful landscape designs complete this homeowner’s picture of home.
Avec Design+Build
131 Main Street, Ames, IA 50010
Avec Design+Build offers a complete and comprehensive range of architectural services. The firm specializes in every facet of the building process and builds an excellent portfolio for itself. Its gallery depicts homes with contemporary architecture and finishes. The firm’s partners Elizabeth Erbes, Jason Dietzenbach, and Derek Quam, have years of experience that help them lead Avec Design+Build towards its goals. The rest of the team is backed by interior designers, architects, and project coordinators that work together in realizing every client’s needs.
In the featured project, Avec Design+Build used a combination of dark and earth tones to bring in a contemporary space. The firm coupled those tones with touches of bricks and wood. To create its tasteful effect, the firm also used high ceilings and warm lights throughout the space.
AKAR ARchiTecture
1027 Rochester Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52245
Established in Iowa City in 1998, Akar Architecture believes that all design-residential or commercial architecture should be in response to people, nature, and function. Regionalism is part of its design process, helping to articulate the sense of place with common-sense sustainability. Its designs embrace the latest and most timeless themes and respect every site, nature, material, and construction method. It has collaborated with clients throughout Iowa City and nearby areas. The firm’s impressive buildings and transformative living spaces are also tailored and designed to articulate its sense of place.
Akar Architecture has committed itself to quality craftsmanship for over two decades and is led by its principal Sanjay Jani. He holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree from the L. S. Raheja School of Architecture in Mumbai, India. He also served on boards of AIA Iowa, Downtown Iowa City, University of Iowa Museum of Arts, and Public Art Committee for the University of Iowa.
Bergland + Cram
115 South Delaware Avenue, Mason City, IA 50401
Bergland + Cram delivers Better to clients throughout the Midwest through commercial, civic, and custom residential projects. Committed to strong, functional design fostered through a positive team approach, the firm delivers client-focused architectural and interior design services. B+C is known for its strong emphasis on efficiency, professionalism, and open communication, creating solutions that are environmentally responsible, sustainable, and cost-effective.
Their best work is seen in this feature project. Known as the Grand Approach in Forest City, the traditionally inspired home sits on an expansive lot. With panoramic views of nature and a perfect perspective for the sunset, it was important to the client to feel a sense of pride as they approached their home at the end of each day.
RMH Architects
1615 Golden Aspen Drive Suite 110, Ames, IA 50010
Established in 1987, RMH Architects is based in Iowa and is known for its management approach. It is led by Kurt Mackey and Jeff Harris, who hold a degree in architecture from Iowa State University. Their leadership has helped evolve the firm into the dynamic company it is today. The firm includes active participation from its clients from the design process through the completion of the project. It examines project sites, considers its context, functional requirements, and client resources.
The firm is primarily known for its traditional spaces, which have resulted in elegant rooms noted for its clerestory windows and stone accents. RMH Architects is also accredited by the AIA and utilizes time-tested AIA contract forms for clients and contractors.
Prull Custom Designs, LLC
466 Sunset Drive, Fairfax, IA 52228
Based out of Fairfax, Iowa, Prull Custom Designs, LLC services Fairfax and nearby areas and works on residential architecture, planning, and design. Its portfolio consists of various custom designs and stock homes, enabling clients to watch their dream project come alive. It is led by Mike Prull, who has a degree in Architectural Design from Kirkwood Community College. He is a member of the American Institute of Building Design, HBA, and is 1 of 7 people in the state of Iowa who is certified through the NCBDC.
Through his 30 years of experience and the team’s expertise, Prull Custom Designs has learned how to utilize the space in a house effectively. It is also highly collaborative and can suggest different ideas to make clients’ houses unique. From ranch, two-story, cape cod style, and split, the firm’s ultimate goal is to bring every dream to fruition.
Aller Design Group
1840 NW 118th Street Suite 220 Clive, IA 50325
Headquartered in Iowa, Aller Design Group specializes in Residential Architecture, Planning, and Design and offers its clients over two decades of experience. It provides clients services in every phase and aspect of residential design and commits to the highest standards. The firm’s team specializes in production homes, custom homes of all sizes, and multi-family.
Aller Design Group is led by its namesake, Jim Aller, who is known for his unique, classic designs. The sense of rhythm and movement in his designs come from his passion for light, livability, and years of experience. He grew up in a Des Moines family construction firm, where he gained his initial exposure in the industry. Before launching his design firm, he attended Iowa State University and spent years with a leading national architectural firm.
