Statewide programs, tours, and education that bring architecture and design to every Iowa community.
Architecture shapes every street corner, every school hallway, every downtown block, yet most of us walk past it without a second glance. The Iowa Architectural Foundation exists to change that. As a statewide nonprofit based at 400 Locust Street in Des Moines, the Foundation runs public programs that pull back the curtain on Iowa's designed environment, from the courthouses anchoring small-town squares to the contemporary buildings remaking city skylines.
The Foundation's work spans generations. Students get hands-on exposure through classroom programs and summer day camps built specifically for middle schoolers curious about how spaces are imagined and built. Adults explore Iowa's architectural heritage through guided tours led by professionals who know these buildings from the inside out. Lectures and workshops round out a calendar that keeps the conversation going year-round.
At its core, the Foundation believes that understanding design makes communities stronger. Every program it runs, every award it gives, and every tour it leads connects Iowans to the idea that the places we build reflect the values we hold. That conviction, applied consistently across the state, is what earns a five-star reputation from the people who show up.
The Foundation's programming covers architecture education at every level, for every audience across Iowa.
Public tours and events bring Iowa's built environment to life through expert-led walks and curated experiences, giving participants a new way to see familiar places. The Architecture in the Schools initiative puts design thinking directly into classrooms, giving students frameworks for understanding the world around them. For middle schoolers ready to go deeper, Adventures in Architecture summer day camps offer immersive, hands-on exploration of architectural concepts during the summer months. Lectures and workshops bring practitioners and enthusiasts together around timely design topics throughout the year.
The Foundation also recognizes outstanding contributions to Iowa's communities through its Community Enhancement Awards program, spotlighting projects and people who make Iowa's built environment more resilient and inclusive. All programs are rooted in the Foundation's mission: connecting people to architecture in ways that matter to the communities where they live.
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The Foundation offers public tours, lectures, and workshops focused on architecture and design, along with events that highlight Iowa's built environment throughout the year.
Yes. The Architecture in the Schools program brings architecture education into classrooms, and Adventures in Architecture is a summer day camp designed specifically for middle school students.
The Foundation's office is at 400 Locust St, Suite 100, in Des Moines, Iowa 50309. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Iowa Architectural Foundation is a statewide organization. Its programs, tours, and community initiatives are designed to reach communities across all of Iowa, not just the Des Moines metro area.
The Community Enhancement Awards recognize projects and individuals that make meaningful contributions to Iowa's built environment, celebrating work that supports more resilient and inclusive communities.
Tours are offered on a seasonal basis, with summer being an active period for public walking tours. Check the Foundation's website at iowaarchfoundation.org for the current events calendar and tour schedule.
Visit iowaarchfoundation.org for program details, upcoming events, and information on how to participate. You can also visit the office at 400 Locust St #100, Des Moines, during weekday business hours.
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