Corridor architects recognized

Several members of the American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter (AIA Iowa) have been recognized as a participants in the AIA Iowa Citizen Architect Program by AIA Iowa for service to their communities.

Bradley Fritz, AIA, of OPN architects, serves as vice chair of the Historic Preservation Commission for the City of Cedar Rapids where he lends architectural expertise to the decisions made by the commission regarding the salvage, restoration or demolition of historic properties and neighborhoods in Cedar Rapids.

The commission has been working with the Cedar Rapids City Council, the State Historic Preservation Office and FEMA to prevent the complete or permanently altering destruction of long-established neighborhoods in Cedar Rapids as a result of the 2008 flood.  Fritz also serves as a board member for Theater Cedar Rapids.

David Martin, AIA, owner of Martin Design, P.C. has been appointed to chair of the Marion Economic Development Company (MEDCO) Holding Company.

In this role, he strives to promote the importance of continued economic vitality through the development of industrial parks that incorporate sustainable practices to help protect the environment. Martin also serves on the Marion Historic Preservation Commission.

Kevin Monson, AIA, a partner at Neumann Monson PC, is active in the Iowa City Area Development Group. Nominated by the executive committee five years ago, he was elected and is currently serving on the Executive Committee.

The Iowa City Area Development Group places a strong emphasis on regional development efforts within Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. This group facilitates the development of clean businesses, and all municipalities, in the county.

As president of Rotary Club of Iowa City (Downtown), James Phelps, AIA promotes the architecture profession and good general design principles to students at West High School in Iowa City and supports fundraising events for local organizations such as Bowling for Kids Sake (Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Johnson County), Run for the (Iowa City area) Schools and the Dictionary Project (Iowa City area fourth grade students). Phelps, Rohrbach Associates PC, has been a member of this organization for nearly 10 years.

Bruce Hamous, AIA, OPN Architects, was instrumental in founding the Eastern Iowa branch of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).  [The USGBC is a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable building design and construction, also the developers of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building rating system.]

As a member of the leadership board, Hamous and his colleagues urged Cedar Rapids city government to adopt LEED standards for all publicly funded construction and, in 2010, the city council adopted a policy that mandates all new city buildings be built to LEED Gold standards.

The Citizen Architect Program recognizes AIA Iowa members who represent AIA's values in their community through public service. To find out more about this program please contact Jessica Reinert at AIA Iowa, (515) 244-7502, or e-mail her at jreinert@aiaiowa.org.

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 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.