Iowa architects transform cities

By Joseph Tursi

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An economic impact study recently released by the Iowa chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Iowa) indicates that architects make a significant economic impact on the state, according to a study by David Swenson, associate scientist in the Department of Economics at Iowa State University.

Swenson's study, “The Economic Value of Iowa's Architects and Architecture to Iowa's Economy,” looked at Iowa's architectural services firms, paired with information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and County Business Patterns of the Census Bureau. The findings show that architects make a measurable economic impact on the state.

According to Swenson, the study demonstrates “how important architects are to very valuable components of Iowa's economy, including government, education, households and the construction industry. Architects partner with those industries and help them meet their goals.”

In 2011, the state's architects directly employed 1,611 people earning $102.32 million in total labor income. All told, Iowa's architectural services had $179.4 million in economic output. The following findings add to this picture.

l There are 834 Iowa architects and intern architects working in architectural firms, other private firms, government and education throughout Iowa. Their estimated total labor income was $74.052 million in 2011.

l When the architectural firms and their employees interacted with the rest of the Iowa economy, they yielded $320.8 million in total industrial output, $189.3 million in value-added (another word for gross domestic product or GDP), and $152.3 million in labor income to 2,986 job holders.

l When those earnings were consumed as household expenditures, they supported $68.1 million in Iowa industrial output, $41.3 million of Iowa GDP (or value added), and $22.9 million in labor incomes to 636 job holders. Jobs supported by household spending include dining, real estate, health care and retail.

The study also shows Iowa's stability over the past few years in comparison to other states. “Iowa's performance didn't decline at the rate of other states,” Swenson says. “On a comparative basis, our competitive position vs. other states improved as a result.”

In fact, Iowa's main street communities, both rural and urban, provide the place for small businesses to start, grow and contribute to job creation within the state. Much of the unique identity of these communities is based in the historic context of the district's buildings. Architects work with these building owners and community leaders throughout Iowa to rehabilitate these buildings, enhancing their character and adding to the economic well-being of the community.

In Cedar Rapids, architects helped transform the city after the floods of 2008. A revitalization is happening in the NewBo City Market area, and the community is seeing a shift from government/FEMA-funded projects to more private investor work. Along with the residents of the community, architects have taken the tragedy of the floods and used it to re-envision the city.

The high standards and innovation of Iowa's architects improve our cities and towns through thoughtful design, more efficient spaces and buildings that are both user and environmentally friendly.

As Iowa communities do their long-term planning for this kind of steady and successful growth, working closely with architects is an important step. “Much of what we care about in capital formation and capital needs doesn't occur without architecture,” said Swenson.

Joseph Tursi is a project architect at OPN Architects Inc., Cedar Rapids. Comments: jtursi@opnarchitects.com.