Insights

Insights

11.22.23
Historic courthouse and fire station win Justice Facility Review awards
Polk County Historic Courthouse and Marion Fire Station 1 have been honored by the American Institute of Architects Academy of Architecture for Justice with a 2023 Justice Facilities Review Award. The Justice Facilities Review documents best practices in ...
08.15.23
Innovative technology restores University of Iowa’s Old Capitol to golden glory

Built between 1840 and 1842, the Old Capitol at the heart of the University of Iowa campus is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the state of Iowa. Throughout its long history, the building has served as …

08.15.23
Linn County’s Dr. Percy & Lileah Harris Public Health Building earns LEED Silver

Linn County’s Dr. Percy & Lileah Harris Public Health Building has earned LEED Silver certification. This is the county’s fourth LEED certified building, including the OPN-designed Linn County Community Services Building, which also earned LEED Silver. In 2020, …

04.20.23
First place win for Sub-Zero’s Bakke Center at 2023 IIDA Wisconsin awards

The Living Kitchen at the Bakke Center – Madison’s headquarters for Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove brands – has earned first place in the retail and wellness category in this year’s International Interior Design Association Wisconsin Chapter’s Celebrate Interior …

04.07.23
Impact Awards recognize designs that catalyze communities

Three OPN-designed projects were honored with an AIA Impact Award at the 2023 AIA Iowa Spring Conference. The award recognizes projects that represent design excellence and directly benefit social, humanitarian, community, or environmental issues. Each of these projects …

03.24.23
Ellis Golf Course Clubhouse honored with Wood Design Award

The new clubhouse at Ellis Golf Course in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been honored with a Regional Excellence Wood Design Award. The annual U.S. Wood Design Awards celebrates excellence in wood building design. Projects are judged by a jury …

02.08.23
Adapting a 100-year-old library for the future

Owatonna is a community of around 30,000 located one hour south of the Twin Cites. Built in 1901, the Owatonna Public Library has high ceilings and big windows that pull natural daylight deep into the library collection and programming …

09.24.21
Marion Fire Station Receives AIA Honor Award

The Marion Fire Station No. 1 has received an Excellence in Design Honor Award from AIA Iowa. This award recognizes excellent architectural projects designed by members of AIA Iowa that emphasize their importance in the community. Great works …

09.20.21
Principal Financial Group, Community & Design Award Winner

Iowa Architectural Foundation has named Principal Financial Group a 2021 Community Enhancement Through Architecture & Design Awards Winner.   The award honors individuals, organizations, companies, and groups outside of the architectural profession who have shown consistent and compelling leadership, vision, …

05.12.21
Innovative strategies preserve historic copper clocktower

To restore the historic and iconic clock tower, OPN married new technology with the original building system. The four-story Webster County’s Historic Clock Tower has looked over the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa since September 1902. Added to the National …

12.02.20
Justice projects honored with AIA Justice Facilities Review Award

Polk County Criminal Courts and Madison Fire Station No. 14 have been honored by the American Institute of Architects Academy of Architecture for Justice with a Justice Facilities Review Award. These projects demonstrate quality of form, functionality, and current architectural …