2024 Community Enhancement Awards

Iowa Architectural Foundation
2024 Community Enhancement Awards

Architects often receive recognition for quality design, but it is essential to also recognize those entities who embrace and promote architectural excellence to advance their communities.  The Iowa Architectural Foundation recognizes that it takes more than just architects and design professionals to make our communities great places in which to live, work, and play.  It also takes the vision, commitment, and resources of those members of our communities who share a common goal.

Our vision is for Iowa to be more inclusive, connected, healthy and vibrant.  Few would disagree that quality architecture can play a big part in making communities more livable. The structures we build affect our environment, sustainability, health, culture, identity and economy.  Thoughtful design improves people’s lives.

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 of architecture and/or urban design.  To learn more about the 2023 recipients, read about last year’s winners,  Krause Group, Des Moines Film, and Rialto Theater.

THE COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT THROUGH HISTORIC VITALIZATION AWARD

The Community Enhancement through Historic Vitalization Award is intended to recognize efforts that are dedicated to historic vitalization. Consistent with the spirit of the Community Enhancement through Architecture and Design Award, this new award 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 adaptation will be considered.

ELIGIBILTY

Any individual, organization, agency, or community in Iowa, outside the architectural profession, that has demonstrated consistent and effective leadership, vision, and support for architecture is eligible. Eligibility is also open to those who have repeatedly championed the cause of architecture or acted repeatedly as a benefactor of architecture and urban design, all of which has contributed to the betterment of an Iowa community(s).

WHO CAN NOMINATE

Any individual or entity can nominate one or more candidates.

NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS

The Nomination Form must be filled out in its entirety for each nomination, including a summary of why the nominee is qualified to receive recognition.  The summary must clearly explain how the nominee’s actions have benefited the community or the State of Iowa.  This may be brief, but more information will be required at a later date.  Supplemental information is to be uploaded to the “file attachment” on the submission form and may include photographs, newspaper articles, and letters of recommendation.

NOTE of CLARIFICATION: This is not a program to recognize design achievements by architects or the design excellence of a specific project, rather, the intent is to recognize the entity or organization that supported the architecture or design to be realized and succeed.  IAF reserves the right to reject any submission not conforming to the above requirements.

COMMITTEE & JURY

A committee, including public members and volunteers of the IAF, will review the initial submissions, after which a jury composed of architects and non-architects will select the award recipients.

DEADLINE

All nominations must be received via online submission or hard copy by June 30, 2024.  The electronic submission form can be found here.

Hard copy nominations should be sent to: Iowa Architectural Foundation, 400 Locust, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50309.

Submissions selected for recognition will be notified August 19, 2024 and will be recognized  at the AIA Iowa Awards Celebration.

QUESTIONS

Questions may be directed to Jeff Shaffer, IAF Trustee, jshaffer@bnim.com.

SPONSORSHIP

Please contact Jeff Shaffer to learn more about sponsorship opportunities at  jshaffer@bnim.com or 515-208-0558.