A kickoff meeting is when you meet your project team, establish communication flows, and discuss your goals. It creates the foundation for the architectural process and helps form a successful working relationship. At Neumann Monson, we host a kickoff meeting for every project, and we find the most effective kickoff meetings occur when clients know what to expect and who to include.

Historic rehabilitation projects can be costly and unpredictable. Fortunately, the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program helps reduce the financial risk. The program is designed to encourage the redevelopment of historic structures and augment tax revenue for state and local governments.

Rehabilitating an older building can be an unpredictable and expensive process. Despite their character and charm, historic structures often come with unforeseen conditions and costs. If you are planning to undertake a rehabilitation or renovation project, it is important to explore every avenue of funding.

Choosing a project delivery method is an important step in the early design process. The delivery method determines how the architect and contractor execute your project and can significantly impact your budget and schedule. Before you decide on a method, be sure to weigh the pros and cons.

As the sun rises near Granger, Iowa, the shimmering dome of the newly constructed Bosnjak Es-Selam Mosque crests the horizon. Iowa’s cornfields may not be the first place one would expect to find a 9,000-square-foot mosque and its 130-foot-tall minaret, one of the tallest in the country. Then again, Iowa is full of surprises.

On September 17, the Stanley Center for Peace and Security will host a “Ground Healing” ceremony to kick off the construction of its new headquarters in Muscatine, Iowa. The project will renovate the former Musser Public Library while adhering to the rigorous standards of the Living Building Challenge (LBC). In addition to promoting sustainability, the LBC presents opportunities to engage the local community. Here, we explore the Stanley Center’s connection to Muscatine, its commitment to global education, and its plans to engage the community through the LBC.

In the 1970s, Iowa City undertook an ambitious urban renewal project. As businesses moved to large-scale shopping centers on the city’s outskirts, downtown began to resemble a ghost town. Once-occupied historic buildings became vacant and city officials feared urban blight. Hoping to reinvigorate its central business district, the City used federal funds to demolish undermaintained buildings and encourage modern development.

Public art is a vital component of Iowa City’s cultural identity. Throughout downtown, brightly colored hand-painted murals enliven the streetscape and cultivate a sense of place. While some murals are commissioned by the city, others represent a close collaboration between property owners and local artists. One such mural, “The Reciprocal of Humanity,” adorns Market House in Iowa City’s Northside neighborhood.

In 2019, the Stanley Center for Peace and Security partnered with Neumann Monson and Graham Construction to design and build their new headquarters in Muscatine, Iowa. The new facility will adhere to the standards of the Living Building Challenge (LBC), the most rigorous measure for sustainable design.

In 1989, Kreg Tool began with a kitchen cabinet and a question: “How do you attach a face frame and hide the joint from view?” Iowa native Craig Sommerfeld provided the answer by creating the Kreg Jig—a U-shaped, single-hole jig that allows woodworkers to create strong joints while effortlessly hiding their work. Since its founding, Kreg Tool has grown to a 250-person operation. The company has become a household name for pocket joinery, the go-to brand for craftsmen everywhere. Kreg’s new facility in Ankeny, Iowa will further the company’s success by consolidating its operations. At Neumann Monson, we are thrilled to help Kreg Tool with this mission.