DES MOINES, IOWA – May 21, 2026 – While national architecture firm billings declined modestly in April amid broader economic instability, architecture firms across Iowa continue to demonstrate resilience, reporting a stabilized market and robust employment outlook.

According to the newly released national AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index® (ABI), the national score fell from 49.8 in March to 48.3 in April, signaling that more firms nationally reported declining billings than rising billings. The broader Midwest region mirrored this softening with an average of 48.0. However, findings from the AIA Iowa Q1 2026 Market Report reveal a localized divergence: Iowa firms are actively adapting to new market realities, with a robust recovery in billings growth surging to 27% statewide, up from 12% in the previous quarter.

Nationally, the commercial and industrial sectors remained one of the weakest over the past six months, posting a score of 48.9 in April. Conversely, the AIA Iowa Market Report highlights a significant shift locally, with the Office sector surging to the top position at 16% of active market distribution in Iowa. Business, Commercial, and Industrial clients, alongside State and Local Government, consistently provided the highest volume of work for Iowa firms.

To contextualize the national economic challenges with local industry strengths, Jessica Reinert, Hon. AIA Iowa, Executive Director of AIA Iowa, offered the following perspective:

“Although the national AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index reflects a continued softening in the broader market, architecture firms across Iowa are demonstrating remarkable resiliency," said Reinert. "Nationally, commercial and industrial sectors are seeing declines, but here in Iowa, our latest AIA Iowa Market Report reveals a surge in the office sector and a robust recovery in billings. While our local firm leaders share the national concerns regarding the overall economy, inflation, and rising costs, their strategic foresight in converting inquiries into active, billable design contracts continues to drive our local construction industry forward.”

Despite the national ABI remaining below the 50-point growth threshold since January 2023, there are positive leading indicators. Nationally, inquiries into new projects increased for the third consecutive month in April. In Iowa, this trend is already translating into tangible work, with mid-sized projects ($1 million to $10 million) serving as the backbone of firm workloads, and a growing preference for new construction over adaptive reuse (57% to 43%). Furthermore, Iowa’s architectural employment outlook remains exceptionally strong, with 92% of local firms actively hiring or maintaining their current workforce, and reported layoffs falling to just 4%.

Key April 2026 National ABI & Q1 Iowa Market Highlights include:

National ABI Averages:

• Regional averages: West (49.0); Midwest (48.0); South (47.7); Northeast (47.2)
• Sector index breakdown: Multifamily residential (51.5); Institutional (51.1); Commercial/industrial (48.9); Mixed practice (42.5)

AIA Iowa Local Insights:

• Employment: 92% of Iowa firms are actively hiring (48%) or maintaining staff (44%), with layoffs nearly eliminated (4%).
• Sector Growth: The Office sector surged to capture 16% of active market distribution, while the Religious sector led in market growth.
• Project Types: Projects in cities with over 50,000 residents dominate (53%), with a strong preference pipeline for new construction (57%) signaling a need for contractors to prepare supply chains for ground-up greenfield projects.

Macroeconomic factors continue to influence the industry at all levels. AIA Chief Economist Richard Branch noted the national complexities: “April’s economic picture was mixed as employers continued to add jobs, but inflation accelerated as higher energy prices tied to the conflict in Iran drove up costs. While a proposed gas tax holiday could offer some short-term relief, energy prices are unlikely to ease meaningfully until the conflict ends.” Similarly, Iowa firm leaders identified the "Overall Economy" as their undisputed top concern, followed closely by local labor prices and healthcare costs.

"The first quarter of 2026 shows resiliency in architecture firms across Iowa, leaders are actively adapting to new market realities," said Jessica Reinert, Hon. AIA Iowa, Executive Director. "By shifting focus toward growing sectors like commercial office spaces and maintaining strong employment numbers, our firms are proving they have the strategic foresight to navigate economic uncertainties and drive the state's construction industry forward."

Key findings from Q1 2026 AIA Iowa Market Report include:

• Robust Employment Outlook: The employment outlook steadily improved over the past year, with 92% of firms either actively hiring (48%) or maintaining their current number of employees (44%). Reported layoffs have nearly disappeared, falling to just 4%.
• Office and Religious Sectors Drive Growth: There is a significant shift in Q1 2026, with the Office sector surging to the top position at 16% of active market distribution, while previously dominant sectors like Healthcare have experienced a steady decline. Additionally, the Religious sector led in market growth this quarter.
• Big Cities and Mid-Sized Projects Dominate: Projects in Big Cities with over 50,000 residents have steadily regained dominance, capturing 53% of active projects. Mid-sized projects with construction values between $1 million and $10 million continue to be the backbone of firm workloads, rising to 54% of all active projects.
• Billings Growth Recovers: The market experienced a robust recovery in billings growth, surging to 27% from 12% in the previous quarter. Firms are effectively converting past inquiries into active, billable design contracts, allowing them to maintain steady profitability.
• Top Client Types: State or Local Government and Business, Commercial, and Industrial clients consistently provided the highest volume of work across client types.
• Preference for New Construction: The preference for New Construction continues to widen its gap over Adaptive Reuse, shifting to 57% new construction versus 43% adaptive reuse in Q1 2026.
• New Construction Outpaces Adaptive Reuse: The preference for ground-up development continues to widen its gap over building retrofits, with new construction capturing 57% of the market compared to 43% for adaptive reuse in Q1 2026. This trend signals a solid pipeline of new builds ahead, prompting contractors to prepare supply chains and labor forces specifically equipped for greenfield projects.

Despite these positive project milestones, macroeconomic and cost-related factors continue to heavily influence the industry. Firm leaders identified the Overall Economy as the undisputed top concern, followed closely by Labor Prices and Healthcare Costs.

The full report is available for free to all media outlets, and for others is available for purchase at AIA Iowa’s website, along with all previous iterations. To receive a copy email Jessica Reinert at jreinert@aiaiowa.org. The 2026 Second Quarter Market Survey and Report findings are set to be released in late July.

DES MOINES, IA (April 23, 2026) – Architecture firm billings held steady in March, indicating market stability despite global economic concerns.

The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) scored 49.8, reflecting near-equal shares of firms reporting increases and decreases. This marks the closest the index has come to the 50-point growth threshold since early 2023, offering cautious optimism.

New project inquiries rose steadily, and firm backlogs averaged 6.6 months, the highest since December 2023. Multifamily residential backlogs grew from 5.4 months in December to 6.2 months in March, while institutional backlogs remained steady at 8.2 months. However, design contracts declined for the 25th consecutive month, with the slowdown worsening from February.

Regionally, the West saw its first billing increase since December 2024, while other regions, particularly the Northeast, faced softer conditions.

Architecture firms in Iowa and across the Midwest are seeing a stabilizing market as the 2026 construction season begins. According to the latest AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI), the regional score for the Midwest reached 49.4 in March, nearing the 50-point growth threshold and reflecting a cautious but optimistic outlook for the state’s built environment.

While the national index scored 49.8, Iowa-based firms are navigating a unique landscape characterized by high-demand sectors. Nationally, institutional and commercial/industrial billings both surged above 52.0, a trend mirrored locally by Iowa's ongoing “data center wave” and industrial projects.

“While billings in Iowa could soon see positive growth for the first time since November, ongoing economic and geopolitical challenges, are posing risks to the market,” said AIA Iowa Executive Director, Jessica Reinert. “These external issues will have a significant impact on the health of construction activity in both the near and long term.”

Key ABI highlights for March include:

- Regional averages: West (50.6); Midwest (49.4); South (48.5); Northeast (44.2)

- Sector index breakdown: institutional (52.6); commercial/industrial (52.5); multifamily residential (50.9); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (40.7)

- Project inquiries index: 56.8

- Design contracts index: 47.8

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.

Access resources to help architects successfully navigate an uncertain economy.

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The American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter is a professional organization representing architects across the Iowa. AIA Iowa members express their commitment to upholding the health and safety of the public through architecture. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public, and colleagues of an AIA member architect's dedication to the highest standards in professional practice. For more information about AIA Iowa, architects, or architecture in Iowa go to www.aiaiowa.org, e-mail info@aiaiowa.org, or call 515.244.7502.

For interviews or photos, please contact Jessica Reinert at AIA Iowa, (515) 244-7502, or e-mail her at jreinert@aiaiowa.org

AIA IOWA IMPACT AWARDS

AIA Iowa Impact Award, Honor: City of Des Moines Greenhouse & Solar Field by MA Architecture. The jury commented: “Of all the strong projects we reviewed this rose to the top with its impressive environmental impact supported by clear and powerful metrics provided by the architects. That they were able to build an all-electric, net positive energy and highly productive greenhouse is remarkable. Beyond its enviable building energy performance, the greenhouse also impacts the community through the broad distribution of the flowers produced throughout the city. In the spirit of blending quantitative and qualitative, the architects achieved a high level of architectural detail, rigor, and sophistication despite the challenging nature of a greenhouse type”.

AIA Iowa Impact Award, Merit: Little Priest Tribal College Science Building by PLaN Architecture. The jury commented: “This compact and restrained building is impressive in the context of all the problems that had to be addressed including the small site, limited budget, strict grant requirements, and the mandate to support students. The student experience is maximized by the relationship developed between the learning labs and the open landscape beyond. The simple logic and beautiful, poetic material quality on all facades elevates this deceptively simple building.”

Inquiries rebounded after a January dip, and while newly signed design contracts continued to decline, the rate of decline slowed significantly. These trends suggest potential stabilization, though global economic uncertainty could disrupt progress. Regionally, billings remained flat in the South for the second month but declined elsewhere, with the Northeast particularly affected by winter storms. Across specializations, billings continued to decline, although institutional firms' billings remained nearly flat.

AIA introduced a new quarterly ABI question asking firm leaders to predict how their firm's gross billings/billable work will compare between the current and next quarter. Nearly half (48 percent) of firm leaders expect billings to remain steady in Q2 2026 compared to Q1. About 31 percent anticipate a 5 percent or greater increase, while 21 percent foresee a 5 percent or greater decrease.

"Despite the positive trend in billings in February, we are still below the 50.0 mark of positive growth," said AIA Iowa Executive Director, Jessica Reinert. "However, architectural services employment remained steady in January and project inquiries are up above the 50.0 mark. This may indicate a stabilization in the market."

Key ABI highlights for February include:

• Regional averages: South (50.0); West (47.2); Midwest (46.3); Northeast (41.9)
• Sector index breakdown: multifamily residential (48.2); institutional (49.2); commercial/industrial (45.7); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (41.8)
• Project inquiries index: 52.3
• Design contracts index: 48.0

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.

Access resources to help architects successfully navigate an uncertain economy.

"Billings in the Midwest have fell below the 50-point mark again which means we saw a decrease in architectural billings this January which doesn’t bode well for nonresidential contractors 9-12 months from now," said AIA Iowa Executive Director, Jessica Reinert. "Much like construction employment in the U.S., adding 33,000 jobs across all 50 states, Iowa construction employment increased as well with 7,100 jobs which ranks Iowa among the top states for percentage gain with an 8.6% increase.”

Key ABI highlights for January include:

• Regional averages: South (50.2); Midwest (46.3); West (46.3); Northeast (42.3)
• Sector index breakdown: multifamily residential (48.4); institutional (46.8); commercial/industrial (43.9); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (43.4)
• Project inquiries index: 49.3
• Design contracts index: 42.7

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.

DES MOINES, IA (January 26, 2026) – The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index®(ABI) closed out 2025 in negative territory with a December score of 48.5, up from 45.3 in November. Any score below 50 indicates a billings decline, although this month’s score indicates that fewer firms reported a decline in billings in December than in November.  

Architecture firm billings declined throughout 2025 and most months since October 2022, with only three exceptions. While fewer firms reported a decrease in December, declining design contract values suggest a near-term rebound is unlikely. However, firm backlogs remain strong, averaging 6.3 months. Large firms with annual billings of $5 million or more report backlogs of 8.6 months, while institutional specialists average 8.2 months. Despite a decline in project inquiries and the value of newly signed design contracts, work pipelines have remained stable in recent years. 

"While the national landscape has faced challenges, the Midwest is showing resilience," said Jessica Reinert, Executive Director of AIA Iowa. "Seeing our region’s billings rise steadily from 50.1 in September to 51.7 in December demonstrates the strength of our architecture firms. This fourth consecutive month of growth signals that clients in our region are confident and moving projects forward, positioning Iowa and the Midwest as a leader in the industry’s recovery."

Key ABI highlights for November include:

• Regional averages: Midwest (51.7); South (47.7); West (45.3); Northeast (44.2)
• Sector index breakdown: nstitutional (48.7); commercial/industrial (47.8); multifamily residential (45.5); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (44.0)
• Project inquiries index: 52.9
• Design contracts index: 47.5

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.

Andrew Ballard, AIA has been appointed to the AIA Iowa Board of Directors. Ballard is an Associate Professor of Practice at ISU. He founded his architectural firm, Studio Combine, in 2020 to focus on intensive, meaningful projects locally and nationally. He received his bachelor’s in architecture from Princeton University and a Master of Architecture from UC Berkeley. His work experience spans both coasts and extends across the pond. Ballard has previously served as the Editor of the Iowa Architect Magazine and is currently on the AIA Iowa Awards Committee. Ballard grew up in North Carolina and feels quite at home now in the Midwest. He still gets that travel itch though.

Nicole Friedman, Assoc. AIA, has been appointed as the Associate Director of the AIA Iowa Board of Directors. Friedman is an intern architect at MA Architecture. She is a 2024 graduate of Iowa State University, where she received a Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in Psychology and Sustainability. She currently volunteers on the AIA Iowa Emerging Professionals Committee and previously served on the Board of Directors as the AIAS Student Representative. Nicole believes architecture has the power to shape lives and strengthen communities. Through a collaborative and exploratory design approach, she prioritizes thoughtful design, functionality, and purpose, and is driven to pursue innovative solutions that create meaningful, lasting impacts for the people and spaces they serve.

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Since 1857, the American Institute of Architects has represented the professional interests of America's architects. AIA Iowa, headquartered in Des Moines, is a statewide affiliate of the national AIA. AIA Iowa members express their commitment to excellence in design and are proactive in the design of livable communities. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public, and colleagues of an AIA member architect's dedication to the highest standards in professional practice. For more information, go to www.aiaiowa.org or call 515.244.7502.

Nationally, the November ABI score was 45.3, marking the 13th consecutive month of declining billings across the country. However, the Midwest’s breakout performance suggests that the region may be gaining ground compared to the broader national slowdown, driven by specific regional economic strengths.

“The Midwest is showing incredible resilience, proving that our region is ready to lead the turnaround for the architecture industry,” said Jessica Reinert, Executive Director of AIA Iowa. “Reaching a score of 52.3—the highest we've seen since the summer of 2022—signals that clients here are moving forward. While other regions face headwinds, Midwest firms are benefiting from a distinct stability and a pipeline of work that is beginning to flow again.”

Key ABI highlights for November include:

• Regional averages: Midwest (52.3); South (46.1); West (43.6); Northeast (43.1)

• Sector index breakdown: institutional (47.6); multifamily residential (46.6); commercial/industrial (45.2); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (44.5)

• Project inquiries index: 51.4

• Design contracts index: 42.7

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.

The ABI score rose to 47.6 in October from 43.3 in September, indicating that while a majority of firms still saw a decline in their billings, the share was smaller than it was last month. Inquiries into new projects also saw their most significant increase in a year and a half. Despite this positive movement, challenges persist as the value of new design contracts decreased again.

"While the latest national Architecture Billings Index (ABI) report from the AIA reflects continued soft business conditions for firms across the country, we are encouraged by the distinct resilience shown in the Midwest regional score of 49.6," said Jessica Reinert, Executive Director of AIA Iowa. "This score, which is the highest among all regions and nearly at the 50-point mark for stability, indicates that our Iowa architecture firms are navigating current market challenges with greater relative strength compared to the national trend of 47.6."

Key ABI highlights for October include:

• Regional averages: Midwest (49.6); South (45.3); Northeast (45.1); West (42.1)
• Sector index breakdown: multifamily residential (46.8);
  commercial/industrial (43.9); institutional (46.1); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (44.0)
• Project inquiries index: 54.8
• Design contracts index: 47.1

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.

Access resources to help architects successfully navigate an uncertain economy.

• Hiring Slows Dramatically: Only 31% of firms plan to increase staff, the lowest figure in two years, likely in response to broader concerns about the overall economy, which remains the top business concern for architects.
  
  
• Strong Local Market: The local focus continues to strengthen, with an average of 84% of active projects being in-state—an upward trend since Q2 2025. This resilience is further supported by the Midwest region's AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 49.8 in September, which shows Iowa performing better than the nationwide trend.
  
  
• Dominant Client Sectors: The primary drivers of active projects in Q3 2025 were State or Local Government clients, followed closely by Business, Commercial, and Industrial entities. This points to sustained public and corporate investment in key areas like K-12 Education and Healthcare, which remain high in sector revenue distribution.
  
  

• Shift to Adaptive Reuse: Project types are split near-equally, with Adaptive Reuse accounting for 51% of the work (up from 43% in Q3 2023) and New Construction at 49%. This suggests a pivot toward transforming existing buildings to meet new market needs, such as converting office spaces into residential units.
  
  

The market data confirms the need for strategic agility among Iowa architecture firms. Jessica Reinert, Executive Director of AIA Iowa, emphasized the regional advantage:

“While the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) continues to reflect soft conditions and our firms are understandably cautious about hiring, the resilience of the Iowa market is clear. The fact that the Midwest region's billings rose over 1.5 points from August to September, posting an index of 49.8, offers an important sign of resilience for our Iowa firms compared to the nationwide trend. This slight increase suggests that a steady flow of local projects, particularly in our mixed and commercial sectors, is holding strong.”

The full Q3 2025 Market Survey Analysis is available upon request to all media outlets, if interested contact Jessica Reinert at jreinert@aiaiowa.org.

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For interviews or photos, please contact Jessica Reinert at AIA Iowa, (515) 244-7502, or e-mail her at jreinert@aiaiowa.org

The Awards Celebration was held in conjunction with the 2025 AIA Iowa Convention, Resilience, held at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa on September 25 & 26.

AIA IOWA YOUNG ARCHITECT AWARD

The AIA Iowa Young Architect Award recognizes an individual who has shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession in the areas of design, education, or service in an early stage of their architectural career. The 2025 recipient of this award is Andrew Ballard, AIA, of Studio Combine. Tom Leslie, FAIA, ACSA Distinguished Professor of Architecture at the University of Illinois, said, “Ballard’s early achievements have been impressive, and they show a clear trajectory forward; Studio Combine is a particularly promising venture, with a strong portfolio of works in progress that encompass the public and private sectors, his teaching continues to offer a strong, empathetic framework for young architects to develop within, and his contributions to leadership within the AIA and the larger community have been considerable.”

AIA IOWA EDUCATOR AWARD 

The AIA Iowa Educator Awards recognizes a person of esteemed character who has rendered distinguished service to the profession of architecture or to the arts and science within the territory of AIA Iowa. The 2025 recipient of the AIA Iowa Educator Award is Ayo Iyanalu, Associate Teaching Professor at Iowa State University. Rob Whitehead, FAIA, Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Student Success at Iowa State University said, “Ayo has consistently proven his aptitude as a tremendous educator as his portfolio demonstrates. For years he’s been tasked with teaching our most important architecture classes: integrated design studios and our integrated building technology sequence. He’s taught hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students and left an enduring legacy.”

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Since 1857, the American Institute of Architects has represented the professional interests of America's architects. AIA Iowa, headquartered in Des Moines, is a statewide affiliate of the national AIA. AIA Iowa members express their commitment to excellence in design and are proactive in the design of livable communities. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public, and colleagues of an AIA member architect's dedication to the highest standards in professional practice. For more information, go to www.aiaiowa.org or call 515.244.7502.

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For interviews or pictures, please contact Jessica Reinert at AIA Iowa, (515) 244-7502, or e-mail her at jreinert@aiaiowa.org.

The Awards Celebration was held in conjunction with the 2025 AIA Iowa Convention, Resilience held at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa on September 25 & 26

AIA IOWA EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT AWARDS

AIA Iowa Craft Award, Honorable Mention: Czech Village Clock Tower by Neumann Monson Architects. The jury commented: “This project feels like a labor of love, deeply rooted in the community. It embodies a traditional view of craft based on knowledge gained from a lifetime of making.”

AIA Iowa Craft Award, Merit: Joslyn Art Museum Expansion by Architectural Wall Systems. The jury commented: “This project demonstrates the architects’ remarkable ability to calibrate texture and form, bringing the façade into meaningful dialogue with the building’s massing. Drawing from the existing structure, they developed a novel expression that complements the original design while establishing its own presence.”

AIA Iowa Craft Award, Merit: Hotel Fort Des Moines Lobby by INVISION Architecture. They Jury commented: “This project stood out because of the architects' skill in addressing the challenges of renovating a historically significant building. It presents an intriguing approach to craftsmanship that utilizes contemporary construction techniques to update historical features to meet current building standards.”

AIA IOWA EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN AWARDS 

AIA Iowa Design Award Honorable Mention: Philip & Jerry Miller Library by OPN Architects. The jury commented: “The architects shaped a well-organized library within a form that responds sensitively to its context. The project succeeds in its thoughtful integration with the surrounding landscaping.”

AIA Iowa Design Award Honorable Mention: Fortune 100 Corporate Client World Headquarters Renovation and Modernization by substance architecture. The Jury commented: “Careful design decisions successfully preserve the spirit of the original building. We appreciate the ability to resist the urge to place a signature stamp on a project. Sometimes less really is more.”

AIA Iowa Design Award Honorable Mention: College Community Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Building by OPN Architects. The jury commented: “A persuasive composition of two similar forms that pairs nicely with the nearby barn structure. The use of materials fits this narrative well and is especially well detailed in the classroom. It does a lot with very little to bring design to an atypical building type”

AIA Iowa Design Award Honorable Mention: Goschke Family Westing Training Center by Neumann Monson Architects. The jury commented: “The roof ties it all together nicely and creates a defining portico, resulting in a clean and recognizable diagram. The glazed lobby gives the building a campus presence and establishes a strong connection to the landscaped plaza area at the front of the building”

AIA Iowa Design Award Honorable Mention: Iowa Conservatory by Neumann Monson Architects. The jury commented: “This adaptive reuse project demonstrates a sensitive and skillful reuse of the original brewery and warehouse buildings without being too deferential. The contrast of the original materials with the new interventions with limited resources finds beauty in restraint.”

AIA Iowa Design Award Merit: Emergency Youth Shelter Tiny Homes by PLaN Architecture. The jury commented: “We love the story of it. The team achieved a great deal with limited resources. The repetition of the gabled forms and the addition of the porch creates a coherent village-like atmosphere. The project demonstrates how thoughtful design can address urgent social needs. The use of simple forms, daylight and the porches convey a sense of calm and security for vulnerable youth.”

AIA Iowa Design Award Merit: Little Dutch Academy by Neumann Monson Architects. The jury commented: “The project exudes joy and optimism. The playful use of colour, the natural light and the differently scaled spaces create an environment where young learners will be inspired. The spaces are carefully articulated. Daylight is brought creatively into the classroom spaces, while the overall design remains sensitive and considered.”

AIA Iowa Design Award Merit: Gable House by Knop Killeen Architects. The jury commented: “An elegant arrangement of simple forms. The architects showed a great deal of restraint to keep this house remarkably pure, delivering a beautifully executed typology with highly refined detailing and materiality that allowed the home to settle nicely into the landscape. Beautiful synthesis of form and domesticity.”

AIA Iowa Design Award Honor: Pella Middle & Jefferson Addition by Neumann Monson Architects. The jury commented: “A wonderfully refined connection between two schools, this project takes full advantage of the unique opportunity to unite a campus. More than a passage, the building establishes its own identity while embedding itself gracefully within the landscape. With elegant restraint on the exterior, the architects choreograph layered programs inside, producing light-filled interstitial spaces that are both dynamic and inviting. The design succeeds in giving the school a true heart—a central gathering place that encourages connection and community.”

The Awards Celebration was held in conjunction with the 2025 AIA Iowa Convention, Resilience held at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa on September 25 & 26

EXCELLENCE IN SMALL PROJECTS AWARDS

Excellence in Small Project, Merit: Omaha Mobile Stage by Actual Architecture Co. + FACT. The jury commented: “This project shows that you don’t need a lot of resources to get creative. An inventive and thoughtful act of space making.”

Excellence in Small Project, Honor: The Art Chapel by Actual Architecture Co. + Plain DesignBuild + FACT.  The jury commented: “This project has a lot of nice and quirky details that causes a transformation from a basic vernacular to a modern contemporary interpretation.”

EXCELLENCE IN INTERIORS AWARDS

Excellence in Interiors, Honorable Mention: Treyarch by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Ltd. The jury commented: “The design effectively conveys the essence of video game culture and conveys the brand well. This is consistent throughout the project.”

Excellence in Interiors, Merit: Patterson Family Foundation Headquarters by Multistudio. The Jury commented: “The design is quiet even with the introduction of colors. The detailing is sophisticated in this complex yet quiet project.”

Excellence in Interiors, Merit: Theodore Roosevelt High School Library by Neumann Monson Architects. The jury commented: “New windows increase natural light and are thoughtfully integrated on the façade and within the space. These windows also create a connection to the landscape and alcove spaces within the larger space to work and read.”

EXCELLENCE IN PRESERVATION OR ADAPTIVE REUSE

Excellence in Preservation or Adaptive Reuse, Honorable Mention:1742 Jefferson by Hermanos Design. The jury commented: “This project is transformative, and it makes the building better while still being respectful of the old. Together the old and new create something more of value.”

Excellence in Preservation or Adaptive Reuse, Merit: Fortune 100 Corporate Client World Headquarters Renovation and Modernization by Substance Architecture. The jury commented: “We have a significant amount of these heritage buildings that need to be updated. This is a great example of how to approach this project type with a nice light touch.”

Excellence in Preservation or Adaptive Reuse, Merit: Des Moines East High School Auditorium Renovation by DLR Group. The jury commented: “It is difficult to integrate new acoustics, lighting, and mechanical technologies into historical spaces, but this project does it really well.”

Excellence in Preservation or Adaptive Reuse, Honor: Polk Country Historic Courthouse by OPN Architects. The jury commented: “The changes from before to after are very subtle but completely transform the feel of the space. It a dramatic transformation that is respectful of history.”

EXCELLENCE IN ARCHITECTURE

Excellence in Architecture, Merit: [NWAFS] Food Systems Incubator by Patterhn Ives LLC. The jury commented: “This project has thoughtful use of material and scale with Creative integration of natural light throughout the building”

Excellence in Architecture, Merit: UNL College of Architecture by NADAAA + HDR. The jury commented: “The bold and dynamic façade that integrates the different experiences of transparent and opaque glazing, framing views, and providing natural light within.”

Excellence in Architecture, Merit: University of Iowa Nagle-Duda Gymnastics & Spirit Squads Training Center by Substance Architecture. The jury commented: “Nice play of light and shadow on the façade. The jury appreciated the simple use of one material that can creates a dynamic façade that changes throughout the day.”

Excellence in Architecture, Merit: Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center and goes to Rand Elliott Architects. The jury commented: “There is a starkness to this project against the skyline that pulls on the severity of the interior.”

Excellence in Architecture, Merit: Rudd Public Library and goes to OPN Architects. The jury commented: “This is a very sweet project that fits into the scale of its community.”

Excellence in Architecture, Merit: Madaline Terrace by Dake Wells Architecture. The jury commented: “The program is revealed in the architectural expression. It is lovely.”

Excellence in Architecture, Merit: Prairie Cabins by GastingerWalker& Architecture + Focal Design Studio. The jury commented: “This project is thoughtfully sited in the landscape to provide a place for immersion in the surrounding prairie.”

Excellence in Architecture, Honor: Borland Center for Music and Theatre by HDR + Sinclair Hille Architects. The jury commented: “Clear concept and rigor for the façade with the precast module. The jury appreciated how the building touches the sky.”

Excellence in Architecture, Honor: Lee’s Summit High School Renovation and Addition by Multistudio. The jury commented: “Very thoughtful site response and section that negotiates the topography and the existing building”

Excellence in Architecture, Honor: Museum of Nebraska Art by BVH Architecture. The jury commented: “The interiors were just as well executed and cared for are the stunning exteriors.

DES MOINES, IA (October 1, 2025) – In August, architecture firms experienced continued softness, with an AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 47.2. While the share of firms reporting declining billings slightly decreased from July, the overall trend remains downward.

The value of new design contracts fell for the 18th consecutive month in August, marking the longest decline in 15 years of data collection. This year has been characterized by soft inquiries and a steady drop in newly signed design contracts, as clients remain hesitant to commit to new projects. With limited new work ahead, many firms are expected to face continued declines in billings in the months to come.

"Despite the national trend of softening architectural billings, our latest data for Iowa paints a more nuanced picture. While we've seen a slight slowdown in the first half of the year, Iowa firms are proving to be resilient and adaptable by diversifying their projects. The Midwest is seeing it’s highest number of billings, coming in at 48 points, since January of 2024 when billings came in at 50 points. We continue to monitor concerns around the overall economy and labor prices, but our members are also identifying opportunities in sustainable design and creative adaptive reuse that will help strengthen communities across the state."

Key ABI highlights for August include:

• Regional averages: South (49.9); Midwest (48.0); Northeast (46.2); West (43.5)
• Sector index breakdown: commercial/industrial (50.8); multifamily residential (49.9); institutional (44.5); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (43.3)
• Project inquiries index: 50.3
• Design contracts index: 47.2
     

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.

Access resources to help architects successfully navigate an uncertain economy.

DES MOINES, IA (August 20, 2025) – The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) continues to weaken posting a score of 46.2 for July, down from 46.8 in June, indicating that a majority of firms are still experiencing declining firm billings.

Inquiries into new work grew slowly but steadily this month, following a brief three-month pause earlier this year. However, design contract values fell again in July as firms struggle to convert inquiries into projects—a challenge persisting alongside declining billings for over two and a half years. Billings have been negative for 31 of the last 34 months.

"While the decline in billings is a nationwide trend, the Midwest region is particularly feeling the effects with a score of 45.1,” commented Jessica Reinert, Executive Director of AIA Iowa. “This indicates that our regional architecture firms are facing a significant and ongoing challenge. We remain hopeful that the steady increase in inquiries—from a low of 43.9 in March—will eventually translate into new projects. But for now, the data reflects a tough business environment for our architects.”

Key ABI highlights for July include:

• Regional averages: Northeast (47.8); South (47.5); West (46.4); Midwest (45.1)
• Sector index breakdown: institutional (47.9); commercial/industrial (49.9); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (42.8); multifamily residential (43.7)
• Project inquiries index: 53.4
• Design contracts index: 47.9
     

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.

Access resources to help architects successfully navigate an uncertain economy.

The survey indicates a shift in active projects, with fewer firms handling a very high volume of projects (more than 21) and a growing proportion in the mid-range of 6-10 active projects. The average market optimism for Q2 2025 sits at 52%, a slight increase from the previous quarter. Furthermore, the report introduces a new metric measuring market sector distribution by revenue, with the Office and K-12 Education sectors leading in revenue percentages.

"The second quarter AIA Iowa Market Report reveals a shift in the Iowa market, moving from a concentrated number of very large projects to a more diverse portfolio of medium-sized work and an increase in projects within our smaller cities and towns," said Jessica Reinert, Hon. AIA Iowa, CAE, IOM, Executive Director of AIA Iowa. "This trend, coupled with a slight increase in market optimism, suggests a resilient and adaptable profession. While we continue to monitor concerns around the overall economy and labor prices, we are encouraged by the opportunities to lead in sustainable design and creative adaptive reuse projects that will strengthen our communities."

Key Market Survey highlights for Quarter One include:

• A rise in out-of-state work, with the average share increasing to 21% from Q1 2025's 18%.
• Medium-sized projects ($1-$10 million) continue to dominate the market, accounting for 45% of active projects.
• "Overall Economy" and "Labor Prices" are cited as the top business concerns.
• New construction makes up the majority of projects (53%) versus adaptive reuse (47%) projects is noted.

The architectural profession is known to serve as an indicator for construction activity 9-12 months in advance. The purpose of this publication is to provide the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) community with specific and useful information at the state level.

The full report is available for free to all media outlets, and for others is available for purchase at AIA Iowa’s website, along with all previous iterations. To receive a copy email Jessica Reinert at jreinert@aiaiowa.org. The 2025 Third Quarter Market Survey and Report findings are set to be released in late October.

Des Moines, IA (July 23, 2025) - The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) remained in negative territory in June with a score of 46.8, down from 47.2 in May as more firms reported a decrease in billing.

Inquiries into new projects increased for the second consecutive month and grew at the strongest pace since last fall with a score of 53.6, indicating clients are starting to send out RFPs and initiate conversations with architecture firms about potential projects after a lull since mid-winter. These inquiries do not necessarily translate into actual projects, as the value of newly signed design contracts declined for the 16th consecutive month in June. It is unlikely that firm billings will return to positive territory until the value of new design contracts also starts to increase again.

"The latest ABI report indicates continued challenging conditions for architecture firms, here in Iowa and across the Midwest. We are certainly feeling the impact with our regional average at 45.7 points. While the slight increase in project inquiries offers a glimmer of hope, it's essential that these initial conversations convert into signed contracts to truly invigorate the architecture, engineering, and construction industries."

Key ABI highlights for June include:

• Regional averages: South (50.6); Northeast (46.5); Midwest (45.7); West (45.8)
• Sector index breakdown: institutional (49.2); commercial/industrial (47.4); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (45.5); multifamily residential (43.8)
•  Project inquiries index: 53.6
• Design contracts index: 46.0

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.

Visit AIA’s website for more ABI information.

Des Moines, IA (June 26, 2025) - The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) remained in negative territory in May with a score of 47.2, up from 43.2 in April. Any score below 50 indicates a billings decline, although this month’s score indicates that somewhat fewer firms reported a decline in billings in May than in April.

Inquiries into new work increased this month for the first time since January, reflecting the modest degree of stabilization in the economy recently. However, the value of signed design contracts continued to decline, indicating that while clients are starting to explore new projects, they remain hesitant to sign a contract committing to them.

“While the AIA Architecture Billings Index nationally reflects ongoing uncertainty, here in Iowa, we're experiencing some as well but seeing our firms navigate these challenges with resilience, commented Jessica Reinert, AIA Iowa Executive Director. “Despite a broad slowdown, the Midwest is the second strongest sector at 44.4 points, under the South which came in at 46.2. This suggests a more stable environment in Iowa when compared to the West and Northeast markets. We continue to see Iowa firms effectively managing their workloads and maintaining staffing levels, which bodes well for Iowa's construction future as we look forward to a rebound in project activity.”

Key ABI highlights for May include:

• Regional averages: South (49.2); West (44.3); Northeast (43.6); Midwest (43.5)
• Sector index breakdown: institutional (46.2); multifamily residential (46.1); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (45.4); commercial/industrial (43.8); 
• Project inquiries index: 51.4
• Design contracts index: 45.9

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.

Visit AIA’s website for more ABI information.

“It is clear that Iowa and the Midwest are not insulated in this downturn as we have been in the past,” said Jessica Reinert, AIA Iowa Executive Director. “The economic outlook and uncertainty of what the future holds. Iowa architecture firms are in alignment with others across the United States, despite the slowdown they continue to navigate this business cycle quite effectively, as staffing at firms remains relatively stable and project backlogs are holding up better than expected.”

Key ABI highlights for April include:

• Regional averages: South (46.2); Midwest (44.4); West (42.1); Northeast (40.2)
• Sector index breakdown: institutional (46.3); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (47.6) commercial/industrial (40.5); multifamily residential (40.8) 
• Project inquiries index: 48.0
• Design contracts index: 43.3

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.

Visit AIA’s website for more ABI information.

"The latest AIA Iowa Market Report, based on first quarter data, paints a picture of both challenges and opportunities. Firms are clearly focused on navigating a complex economic environment. The report indicates that concerns over the overall economy, labor prices, and rising interest rates are paramount.” said Jessica Reinert, AIA Iowa Executive Director. “The data underscores the need for firms to be versatile in their practice and project approach thus opening the door to new opportunities through diversification.”

Key Market Survey highlights for Quarter One include:

• 82% of active projects this quarter took place in-state compared to 18% out-of-state. This is a new metric requested by survey respondents.
  
• The Office Market Sector isn’t seeing much movement, with 55% of respondents identifying it as the slowest.
• Business, Commercial, and Industrial client types saw a noticeable increase in the share of active projects, accounting for 23% of all work.
  

The architectural profession is known to serve as an indicator for construction activity 9-12 months in advance. The purpose of this publication is to provide the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) community with specific and useful information at the state level.

The full report is available for free to all media outlets, and for others is available for purchase at AIA Iowa’s website, along with all previous iterations. To receive a copy email Jessica Reinert at jreinert@aiaiowa.org. The 2025 Second Quarter Market Survey and Report findings are set to be released in late July or early August.

Des Moines, IA (April 24, 2025) - March brought continued challenges for architecture firms, as the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) recorded a score of 44.1, indicating that many firms are still experiencing declining billings.

September 2022 marked the end of the post-pandemic billings surge for architects. Since then, billings have declined 27 of the last 30 months. For two consecutive months, inquiries into new projects have dropped, and newly signed design contracts have seen a decline for an unprecedented 13 months straight. 

"The Midwest and Iowa billing remain below 50.0 showing no growth since last month." says Jessica Reinert, Executive Director of the AIA Iowa, "With the general market trending downward, and uncertainty in the availability of building materials, this softness in billing is likely to continue. The one bright side being the average project backlog at firms stands at a reasonably healthy 6.5 months, offering a bit of a buffer if future project work continues to remain soft."

Key ABI highlights for March include:

• Regional averages: South (48.3); Midwest (45.5); West (43.0); Northeast (40.5)
• Sector index breakdown: institutional (46.2); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (46.1) commercial/industrial (45.1); multifamily residential (40.3) 
• Project inquiries index: 47.7
• Design contracts index: 42.4 

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.

Visit AIA’s website for more ABI information.

While most architecture firms saw billings decline in January, the proportion experiencing a decrease was slightly lower than in December. Inquiries for new projects continued to rise at a steady, slow pace, but the value of newly signed design contracts dropped for the eleventh month in a row, as clients stayed cautious amid ongoing economic uncertainty.

“The Midwest and Iowa markets continue to soften, we saw a drop of 2.5 points, from 48.1 in December to 45.6 in January,” said Jessica Reinert, Executive Director of AIA Iowa. “A combination of inflation, high interest rates, and labor concerns continue to trouble owners and developers leading to a standstill on construction projects."

Billings were soft across all regions and specializations in January. Firms with a commercial/industrial focus reported the most significant decline in business conditions, but weakness was observed across all sectors. Business conditions remained weakest in the Northeast, continuing a trend from recent months.

Key ABI highlights for January include:

• Regional averages: West (48.8); South (46.0); Midwest (45.6); Northeast (41.1)
• Sector index breakdown: institutional (47.4); multifamily residential (45.0); mixed practice (firms that do not have at least half of their billings in any one other category) (44.3); commercial/industrial (43.1)
• Project inquiries index: 51.4
• Design contracts index: 46.2

*Every January the AIA research department updates the seasonal factors used to calculate the ABI, resulting in a revision of recent ABI values.

The regional and sector categories are calculated as three-month moving averages and may not always average out to the national score.
Visit AIA’s website for detailed information about this, and past billing index reports.