We asked a few local architecture and design experts to give us a behind-the-scenes look at the recent project they’ve worked on. They also shared about interesting trends that are affecting their work. Here’s what they had to say.

Two Rivers Marketing office

Yasmine Killeen, associate, Substance Architecture

Tell us about the project.

Two Rivers Marketing’s (2RM) new East Village office reflects both the firm’s commitment to downtown Des Moines and its raw, industrial brand identity, celebrating the building’s existing brick character and heavy timber structure. Designed to support hybrid work within a reduced footprint, the space is organized into equal thirds — collaboration, conference and open office — allowing gathering areas to flex into workspaces when the full team is present.

What are a few of the interesting features in the design, and what’s the story behind them?

Rather than following trends, 2RM’s office was shaped by the company itself, an agency deeply connected to the industrial and tech-industry clients it serves. The design draws from that world, using raw steel, marine-grade plywood and exposed systems, while embracing the existing building’s brick walls and heavy timber columns as integral design elements. The result is a space that feels authentic to the brand it represents, shaped by honesty in material and expression.

A significant portion of the office is dedicated to collaboration, reinforcing the firm’s culture of welcome and connection. These spaces serve as a warm-up and touchdown zone before and after meetings, transform into event space for larger gatherings and flex into work areas when the full team is present. A monumental open stair anchors the hospitality zone, visually and physically uniting the two floors while encouraging movement, informal interaction and a sense of shared experience throughout the day.

How did the design meet the unique needs of the project?

The design responds to Two Rivers Marketing’s shift to a hybrid work model by right-sizing the workplace without sacrificing the ability to bring the entire staff together. With a reduced footprint, every area was designed to serve more than one purpose, prioritizing flexibility and adaptability over fixed, single-use spaces. Break and collaboration areas are designed to function as workspaces when needed, allowing the office to expand and contract based on daily occupancy. This approach ensures the workplace remains efficient on quieter days while fully supporting collaboration, connection and shared experience when the full team is on site. By designing for multiple modes of work and gathering, the office aligns with how the firm operates today while remaining flexible enough to adapt as needs continue to evolve.

What’s a trend in architecture that’s been affecting your work?

The shift toward hybrid and remote operations has fundamentally changed how clients use space and how architecture supports their needs. Because people are together less often, the moments when they do gather need to be intentional, engaging and centered on collaboration. This has moved the focus away from traditional desk-driven layouts toward flexible environments that prioritize shared experiences, adaptability and collaboration.

These spaces shouldn’t feel like conventional offices of the past. Each project must be highly tailored to the client’s culture, work styles and goals. Our role is to design environments that support collaboration and connection while offering flexibility for evolving needs, creating places people want to be rather than spaces they’re required to occupy.

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Kemin Cultivation Center at Living History Farms

Cory W. Sharp, principal architect

Tell us about the project.

The Kemin Cultivation Center serves as the new gateway to Living History Farms. It is the centerpiece of a campus transformation that has helped the museum evolve from a seasonal attraction into a year-round destination for visitors near and far.

What are a few of the interesting features in the design, and what’s the story behind them?

A few key features of this building are its contemporary agrarian design concept, its year-round galleries and the outdoor pavilion. 

The building’s form captures the spirit of a traditional agricultural building, but our team executed it using modern materials and contemporary finishes. This allows the center to feel right at home on the historic campus while representing today’s innovative farming industry. 

The climate-controlled gallery space is a first for Living History Farms, allowing for permanent and traveling exhibits regardless of the season. It also serves as a central orientation hub, providing a comfortable space to welcome and prepare guests for their visit.

Lastly, the outdoor pavilion provides a dedicated gathering spot for school lunches and special events. It offers Living History Farms much-needed operational flexibility, allowing them to host larger groups and new programs that simply weren’t possible before.

These elements and many others work together to represent bridging the gap between Iowa’s agricultural past and its future.

How did the design meet the unique needs of the project?

The design of the Kemin Cultivation Center was driven by several critical operational needs beyond the building program, which included creating a new site entrance experience, separate traffic types and strategically phasing the construction operations. 

Our team situated the building to maximize its visibility from the campus entrance. Acting as a beacon, it creates a clear sense of arrival and defines the center as a destination for visitors.

The design strategically separates different traffic types, which keeps school buses, pedestrian flows and service vehicles distinct to ensure safety and efficiency.

Because the museum is a high-traffic attraction, we carefully planned the construction in phases. This allowed Living History Farms to remain fully operational, avoiding any conflicts with daily visitors or high-profile special events during the build.

By prioritizing these site-wide logistics, the design provides a seamless entry experience that supports growth without disrupting its daily mission.

What’s a trend in architecture that’s been affecting your work?

Collaboration. While collaboration isn’t a new concept, it has become a defining trend in our most successful work. At FEH, we’ve moved away from the idea of the “solo architect” in favor of acting as facilitators for a broad team of stakeholders.

The Kemin Cultivation Center is a perfect example of this. From our initial master planning SPARK session to the ribbon cutting, the project was a collective effort involving museum staff, the board of directors, donors, and city and state supporters. By bringing everyone to the table throughout the process, we ensured the design reflected the needs and vision of the entire community. This trend toward “shared ownership” ensures the final building is more than just a structure, it’s a supported landmark. It took a whole team of participants to make this project what it became, proving that the best architecture happens through true partnership.

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Picket Fence Community

Dave Johnson, housing market leader, Shive-Hattery 

Tell us about the project.

Picket Fence Community offers modern one-, two- and three-bedroom townhome style apartments in West Des Moines, featuring luxury interiors and top tier amenities. Conveniently located near major employers, public parks and premier dining options, this pet-friendly community is synonymous with modern suburban living.

What are a few of the interesting features in the design, and what’s the story behind them?

Each apartment at Picket Fence is thoughtfully designed with features that make life easier and more enjoyable:

• Private entrances.
• Private attached garages for secure parking and added convenience.
• Private balconies for fresh air and relaxation.
• Spacious closets to keep your home organized.
• Quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances in a sunlit kitchen.
• White shaker-style cabinetry with soft-close doors for a touch of elegance.
• Smart home technology. 
• Smart thermometers.

How did the design meet the unique needs of the project?

Combining our clients program with great design, we developed a floor plan that has private individual entries along with private connected garages for each unit. The plan is made up of two building blocks that easily allow iterations ranging from 4-plexes to 12-plexes. Pricket Fences incorporate 6-, 8-, 10- and 12-plexes. Our design does not have more than two garages adjacent to one another and all of the garages are recessed back from the front facades.

What’s a trend in architecture that’s been affecting your work?

Multifamily design is shifting away from generic “maximalism” toward deliberate, high-performance designs that prioritize resident wellness and long-term sustainability. To maximize unit counts and combat rising construction costs, designers are creating smaller units with smarter layouts. This includes “amenity clustering” — reducing the total square footage of common areas while increasing their functionality. Modern complexes are adopting the aesthetic of boutique hotels, featuring “activated” lobbies, on-site baristas and concierge services to create a high-end resident experience. The inclusion of smart building systems for energy management, EV charging stations and low-carbon materials is now an expectation.

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Blue Ribbon Bar

Joe Copley, associate principal, CMBA Architects

Tell us about the project.

Completed in 2025, the Blue Ribbon Bar pays homage to the long history of blue ribbon winners at the Iowa State Fair. CMBA Architects designed the eye-catching location in only two weeks as part of the Iowa State Fair’s Permanent Vendor Request for Proposals, organized by the Iowa State Fair board. It took about six months to build the bar and eatery that replaced the Steer ‘N’ Stein that formerly sat on the property. Now with modern fixtures, the Blue Ribbon Bar features a new logo, striking blue neon lighting, dining room, patio, eclectic décor and plenty of blue ribbons that welcome fairgoers into its energetic, bustling environment.

What are a few of the interesting features in the design, and what’s the story behind them?

The Blue Ribbon Bar differs from other locations at the fairgrounds because its design encourages fairgoers to sit, socialize and listen to live music. Other locations at the fair are typically standing room only. Additionally, CMBA got to flex its creative muscles further and design the logos and branding for the Blue Ribbon Bar.

How did the design meet the unique needs of the project?

Sisters and owners Joni Bell and Dianna Marquart wanted to breathe new life into the former Steer ‘N’ Stein location. The spot had lost popularity and was in need of renovation. CMBA Architects collaborated with the sisters to bring their vision to life, honoring the storied history of the Iowa State Fair while also giving fairgoers a place to eat, drink, connect and listen to music. CMBA’s design incorporated plenty of seating areas for visitors to relax. Some of these seats include bar stools, large booths, bumper cars and a seat from the iconic Iowa State Fair Sky Glider.

What’s a trend in architecture that’s been affecting your work?

Client relationships are what make projects like this possible. CMBA partnered with Joni Bell on a separate project and the trust the architecture and design firm built with her paved the way for their collaboration on the Blue Ribbon Bar. In terms of trends in architecture, this project reflects the ongoing need to create unique spaces where people can connect socially.

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St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church

Samantha Fernholz, architect, SVPA Architects

Tell us about the project.

This is a renovation to an existing 1970s modernist Catholic church, St. Cecilia’s in Ames. The parish had the desire to increase the volume of the church, bring in natural light and incorporate sacred art and furnishings that highlight the importance of the mass.

What are a few of the interesting features in the design, and what’s the story behind them?

One of the most challenging aspects of the project was to add the new clerestory and cupola to the center axis of the space. The original church had a large beam running perpendicular to the design needed to be addressed. We ended up removing the central portion of the existing beam and cantilevering the load to the back of the church. 

Additionally in a Catholic church, the altar should be the central focus of the design. Not only was a new, prominent altar designed for the space, but a cupola was centered over the altar, a decorative floor was added to the central aisle and decorative trim was installed at the base of the clerestory to draw the eye down the central axis and to the altar.

How did the design meet the unique needs of the project?

Large beams were installed to cantilever the load of the new clerestory. Openings were installed along the ground level as well as in the clerestory to bring natural light to the space. Similar finishes were used to the narthex that adjoined the church which harmonized the two spaces, and custom liturgical furniture and murals were created that gave the church a more traditional feel.

What’s a trend in architecture that’s been affecting your work?

I’m seeing more products promoted that are aimed at reducing on-site labor and reducing the number of trades on site. Structural insulated sheathing and panels with weather barriers pre-applied reduce the number of times trades need to wrap the building and are beginning to be specified more often. While the material cost is usually higher than individual components, savings comes from the reduced installation time and may create a more reliable seal on the building.