Insights

Insights

03.07.23
Marion Fire Station 1 featured in March issue of Architectural Record
Marion Fire Station 1 is highlighted in the March issue of Architectural Record magazine. The civic issue showcases public buildings in Nova Scotia, Milan, Zurich, San Francisco, and Marion, Iowa.   The two-level 21,000-square-foot fire station reduces response ...
02.08.23
Seven promoted for commitment to each other, practice

Our 2023 promotions are a group of extraordinary professionals who have shown consistent growth in their career at OPN. All OPN employees embrace our responsibility to care for each other and our planet through extraordinary design and a …

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 …

02.07.23
Marshall County Courthouse restoration a symbol of resiliency

A symbol of resiliency for a community devastated by a EF-3 tornado in 2018 and again by an inland hurricane in 2020, the Marshall County Courthouse was re-dedicated on Nov. 19, 2022, exactly 136 years after the building …

12.09.22
Shannon Liggett earns ACHA certification

Experienced, Certified, Preferred OPN’s Healthcare Planner, Shannon Liggett, achieves American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA) certification. ACHA provides board certification to architects who specialize in healthcare through a rigorous and thorough testing process, portfolio submission, and continuing education …

11.08.22
2 OPN-designed buildings earn AIA Central States Honor Awards

OPN Architect’s Marion Fire Station Headquarters and the Linn County Dr. Percy & Lileah Harris Public Health Building were among seven projects chosen to receive Architecture Honor Awards in this year’s American Institute of Architects Central States Region Excellence …

10.06.22
Retreat 2022: #OPNMPLS

Over OPN’s 40+ year history, as our firm has grown from 10 to 50 to more than 100, we have treasured our annual tradition of bringing staff from throughout the Midwest to a central location to connect, celebrate, …

09.30.22
OPN honored with AIA Iowa Excellence in Design Awards

Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust’s new Marion Branch and Flint Public Library were both honored by the Iowa Chapter of the American Institute of Architects with an Excellence in Design Award during the 2022 annual convention in Des …

09.08.22
Summer season brings new staff

This summer has brought so much light to the OPN studios between the sunshine and smiling new faces. We have added multiple new members to the OPN team the past few months in all 5 studios. Our newest …

08.04.22
Corporate transformation, public library honored by AIA Wisconsin

Springs Window Fashions and Waunakee Public Library have both been recognized with a 2022 Merit Awards from AIA Wisconsin for excellence in architectural design and construction. With welcoming and vibrant spaces that embrace openness and light, both Springs …

06.16.22
OPN is proud to be a place of empathy and inclusivity

The built environment has a powerful effect on humanity. As architects, we have an obligation to not only advocate for equitable and inclusive environments but to actively participate in the resolution of systemic problems that are at the …