Blog

In 2025, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) released guidance for architecture firms looking to increase sustainable business practices and to continue improving their process. Firms were encouraged to create a Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) to document their current sustainable routines and brainstorm future action that could be taken to improve the firm's sustainability.

On September 23, 2026, Iowa Valley’s Habitat for Humanity held a dedication ceremony celebrating the completion of a newly built home in Iowa City. The solar-powered, single-level home was designed to prioritize accessibility for the family’s youngest son, who uses a wheelchair.

Neumann Monson is proud to announce that three of our projects have been awarded with Central States Region Design Awards. Focused on work from Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, the awards recognize the “highest quality design, informed by the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, [progressing] toward a zero-carbon, healthy, just, resilient, and equitable built environment.”

We are pleased to announce Neumann Monson Architects has been recognized by the AIA Iowa Emerging Professionals Committee as a 2026 Emerging Professionals Friendly Firm. We believe it is imperative that firms guide the next generation of architecture professionals by championing newcomers in our industry and removing barriers for growth.

On May 5, 2026, Neumann Monson was honored to receive an Outstanding Achievement award from United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties during their Community Celebration event. A frequent collaborator in our volunteering efforts, we proudly support United Way’s contributions to helping the communities we serve.

Neumann Monson Architects has been recognized by the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Great Plains Chapter with a 2026 Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) Honorable Mention for University of Iowa Health Care North Liberty Campus.

On April 14, Neumann Monson Architects led an open house to gather public feedback about preliminary plans for the ongoing Coralville recreation center and indoor pools project. Attendees were encouraged to view current architectural drawings and ask questions about the planned features for the project. Coralville Mayor Laurie Goodrich and Director of Parks and Recreation Sherri Proud also fielded questions and discussed future plans.

Neumann Monson Architects is proud to announce that three of our design projects have won 2026 Green Good Design Sustainability Awards, an accomplishment that further highlights our commitment to excellent sustainable design.

We are pleased to announce that our Iowa City Studio renovation is now Living Building Challenge® Core certified through Living Future. This certification required a design that prioritized ecological impact, wellness, and equity, and the final construction passed rigorous audits to prove real-world performance.