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Phius (Passive House Institute US) certification is a high-performance building certification that aims to achieve extremely low energy use through energy-efficient design, also known as the Passive House concept. Passive strategies such as a thermal-bridge-free enclosure, continuous insulation throughout the building enclosure, and high-performance glazing help the space maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness, no matter the climate zone or building type.

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.

A regenerative community is one that actively improves the health and well-being of people and the environment by restoring and strengthening interdependent systems. Regenerative communities go beyond sustainability by aiming to give back more than they take, creating positive outcomes that allow people, places, and ecosystems to thrive.

Sustainable Material Selection begins with understanding a client's goals and values. Those priorities shape the design and help determine which materials are the right fit for their project.

As a signatory and early adopter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Materials Pledge, our firm is involved in a growing movement of industry leaders committed to transforming the building materials industry.

In 2006, the 2030 Challenge from Architecture 2030 was launched to drive climate responsibility within the architecture industry.

Happy Earth Day! We’re excited to share that Neumann Monson has completed our first-ever Carbon Footprint Report. Over the past couple of months, our team has been gathering data and running calculations, and we’re ready to share what we’ve learned from our 2025 carbon footprint process.

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.