THE COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT THROUGH ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN AWARD

The Community Enhancement through Architecture and Design Award is intended to recognize those individuals, organizations, agencies, or communities, outside the architectural profession, who have had a significant and positive impact on the quality of life in Iowa through their support and championing of high-quality architecture and/or urban design. A history of success over multiple projects is encouraged but not required. Past recipients include EMC Insurance, The Stanley Family, Hawkeye Hotels, Krause Group, Drake University, Shelter House, Principal Financial Group, Marc Moen, Grinnell College, Mary & John Pappajohn, the Ruan family, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the City of Des Moines and the University of Iowa.

THE COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT THROUGH HISTORIC VITALIZATION AWARD

The Community Enhancement through Historic Vitalization Award recognizes efforts that are dedicated to historical vitalization. Like the Architecture and Design Award, this award category is intended to recognize those individuals, organizations, agencies, or communities outside the architectural profession. This may be a singular project or a collective group of efforts. Historical preservation and/or rehabilitation of an existing building will be considered. Past recipients include Mainframe Studios, Hawkeye Hotels (for Hotel Fort Des Moines), Des Moines Film (for the Varsity Cinema), and Rialto Theater.

A jury composed of both architects and non-architects will select the award recipients. Submissions selected for recognition will be notified no later than August 17, 2026. Anyone can nominate candidates. All nominations must be received by 5:00 PM, July 17, 2026.

You can find the nomination form here. Digital entries are encouraged, but if you prefer to send a hard copy nomination, please mail it to:

Iowa Architectural Foundation

400 Locust Street, Suite 100

Des Moines, IA 50309 

If you have questions, please contact Evan Shaw, AIA, INVISION, at evan.shaw@invisionarch.com.