Business Details
21 Years
experience
Your Trusted Architectural Partner in Cedar Falls, IA
At Novak Design Group, our unwavering focus on client needs defines our approach. With over two decades of experience in K-12 education, higher education, healthcare, residential, and commercial architecture, we prioritize forming personal connections to understand how spaces can best serve users. Our collaborative process involves dedicated teams from start to finish, ensuring flexibility and a deep understanding of evolving project requirements. We specialize in architectural design, master planning, and interior design, serving clients across Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, and beyond.Our philosophy combines energy efficiency, technology integration, and user experience to create spaces that reflect both current needs and future possibilities. By maintaining transparency and open communication, we transform client visions into functional, aesthetically meaningful environments. Our team of licensed architects and designers brings expertise in code compliance, accessibility, and sustainable practices, ensuring every project meets rigorous standards while exceeding expectations.
Services
Architectural Design
Interior Design
Master Planning
Healthcare Architecture
K-12 Education Architecture
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of specialized experience in education and healthcare architecture.
- Our client-focused approach maintains dedicated teams throughout the project lifecycle.
- We combine technical expertise with creative problem-solving for functional, sustainable spaces.
- Our regional presence spans Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado with local market knowledge.
- We guarantee transparent communication and collaborative design processes.
What people say
Representing our community
Patient with us
Advocate for our needs
Challenged us creatively
Responsive and collaborative
Services
Architectural Design
We create functional, aesthetically meaningful spaces through collaborative design processes. Our architects analyze site conditions, code requirements, and user needs to develop solutions that balance practicality with innovation. Projects range from educational facilities to healthcare institutions.
Master Planning
Our master planning services evaluate existing facilities and future needs through stakeholder engagement. We develop phased implementation strategies that address accessibility, space utilization, and long-term adaptability for educational, civic, and commercial clients.
Interior Design
We design interior environments that enhance user experience and functionality. Our approach considers lighting, material selection, and spatial flow to create spaces that align with organizational goals while meeting technical requirements.
Healthcare Architecture
Specialized healthcare design services focus on patient care environments, compliance with medical regulations, and technology integration. We create healing spaces that balance operational efficiency with comfort for facilities ranging from clinics to hospitals.
K-12 Education Architecture
We design learning environments that support modern educational methodologies. Our solutions incorporate flexible spaces, natural lighting, and technology integration while addressing safety requirements and community identity for school districts.
People
Nick Hildebrandt
Chief Executive Officer | Principal Architect
Licensed architect with expertise in educational and commercial projects. Leads strategic direction while maintaining active involvement in design and client relations.
Jesse Lizer
Managing Principal | Principal Architect
Manages firm operations and architectural projects. Focuses on client satisfaction through technical expertise and project execution oversight.
Patrick Leahy
Principal Architect
Senior healthcare architecture specialist with certifications in healthcare design. Brings technical precision and industry-specific knowledge to complex medical facility projects.
JD Praeger
Principal Architect
Leads civic and commercial projects with LEED certification expertise. Focuses on sustainable design solutions and community-oriented spaces.
Jennifer Karls
Senior Architect, Studio Lead
Studio leader with emphasis on educational facility design. Coordinates multidisciplinary teams to deliver functional, inspiring learning environments for K-12 institutions.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialize in?
We specialize in K-12 education, healthcare, commercial, residential, and civic architectural design, along with master planning and interior design services.
How does your design process work?
Our four-phase process includes Evaluate, Engage, Evolve, and Emerge stages, focusing on data analysis, stakeholder collaboration, and iterative design development.
Do you work outside Iowa?
Yes, we serve clients in Nebraska, Colorado, and surrounding regions with local office locations in Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Omaha, and Denver.
What makes your firm different?
Our dedicated team approach maintains continuity from project start to completion, ensuring deep understanding of client needs and seamless execution.
How do you handle complex project requirements?
We analyze accessibility, code compliance, daylighting, and future flexibility while integrating energy efficiency and technology solutions tailored to user needs.
