Business Details
Architectural Design Excellence in Des Moines
Substance Architecture is a collaborative Midwest architecture firm dedicated to improving lives and communities through thoughtful design. We bring beauty to utility by engaging with clients to create spaces that transcend mere function, capturing a deeper sense of place and purpose. Our iterative design process explores multiple solutions, refining ideas through client collaboration to achieve intuitive, purposeful outcomes. We prioritize sustainability, maintainability, and community impact, aligning our work with the AIAs Framework for Design Excellence.Our open studio culture fosters teamwork and knowledge-sharing, ensuring every project benefits from diverse perspectives and expertise. With a focus on client engagement, we deliver architectural solutions that address functional needs while embodying aesthetic and environmental responsibility.
Services
Architecture
Master Planning
Interior Design
Historic Preservation
Sustainable Design
Highlights and features
- We prioritize client collaboration to create spaces that reflect community needs.
- Our designs integrate sustainability and environmental responsibility.
- We specialize in complex projects across education, civic, and historic preservation sectors.
- Our open studio culture fosters innovation and diverse perspectives.
- We align our work with the AIAs Framework for Design Excellence.
Services
Architecture
Substance Architecture creates functional, aesthetically resonant spaces tailored to client needs. Our process emphasizes collaboration, sustainability, and community impact. We deliver projects across education, civic, residential, and transit sectors with a focus on intuitive, enduring design solutions.
Master Planning
We develop comprehensive master plans for educational institutions, civic campuses, and Indigenous communities. Our approach balances long-term vision with practical implementation, ensuring spaces evolve to meet future needs while respecting existing environments and cultural contexts.
Historic Preservation
Substance Architecture specializes in preserving and repurposing historic buildings. We combine technical expertise with sensitivity to historical significance, maximizing embodied carbon retention while adapting structures for modern use through tax credit-eligible renovations.
Interior Design
Our interior design services create functional, comfortable environments that complement architectural character. We specify finishes, furniture, and accessories for new construction and tenant improvement projects, ensuring cohesive, user-centric spaces across diverse sectors.
Sustainable Design
We integrate sustainability into every project phase, aligning with the AIAs Framework for Design Excellence. Our solutions prioritize energy efficiency, material responsibility, and occupant well-being, creating buildings that positively impact communities and the environment.
People
Kevin Wagner
Architect
Kevin Wagner represents Iowa in the AIA National Young Architects Forum, contributing expertise in civic and educational design. He collaborates on projects like the Iowa Hawkeye Locker Room and DART Central Station, focusing on community-driven architecture.
Leah Rudolphi
Architect
Leah Rudolphi, recipient of the AIA Young Architect Award, leads design initiatives including Fire Station No. 4s brick facade. She mentors emerging professionals and contributes to the firms commitment to sustainable, contextually responsive architecture.
Gianna Bellizzi
Architectural Designer
Gianna Bellizzi works on educational and transit projects, emphasizing collaborative design processes. She contributes to initiatives like the University of Iowa Gymnastics Facility, integrating user needs with innovative spatial solutions.
Constanza Resende
Architectural Designer
Constanza Resende focuses on master planning and historic preservation projects. She supports the firms work with Indigenous communities and contributes to adaptive reuse initiatives that balance heritage with modern functionality.
Emily Preston
Architectural Intern
Emily Preston assists in design and documentation for civic and residential projects. As a recent hire, she brings fresh perspectives to the firms collaborative approach, emphasizing user-centered spatial solutions.
Questions
What architectural services does Substance Architecture Architecture offer?
We provide architecture, master planning, interior design, historic preservation, and sustainable design services for educational, civic, residential, and transit projects.
Where does Substance Architecture Architecture operate?
We primarily serve Iowa and South Dakota, with notable projects at Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and Oglala Lakota communities.
How does Substance Architecture Architecture approach client collaboration?
We engage clients through iterative design processes, listening to their goals and refining solutions until they feel intuitive and aligned with project visions.
Does the firm specialize in historic building restoration?
Yes, we specialize in historic preservation, including tax credit-eligible renovations and adaptive reuse projects for post offices, warehouses, and modern historic structures.
How does the firm incorporate sustainability?
We align with the AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence, prioritizing energy efficiency, material responsibility, and designs that positively impact communities and the environment.
