AKAR ARchiTecture

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AKAR ARchiTecture AKAR ARchiTecture + Design founded in 1997, was founded on simple idea: That building design is a poe We are intrigued by the wisdom of vernacular architecture.

AKAR ARchiTecture + Design, Iowa City, Iowa founded in 1997, was founded on simple idea: That building design is a poetic response to people, nature and function. It should be timeless, inspiring and capturing the spirit of its environment. This regionalism is frequently used in our design process to articulate the sense of place with common sense sustainability.The firm’s work is known for its geometric and simple forms defining landscaped spaces in-between architecture to evoke serenity that quietly celebrates human intellect, innovation and craftsmanship.

Just happened to drive past a house we designed a few years ago. The idea was simple: break a basic form into a composit...
10/11/2026

Just happened to drive past a house we designed a few years ago. The idea was simple: break a basic form into a composition of planes, colors, and lines.

Years later, it still makes me stop in my tracks!

I may be a little biased, but isn’t that one of the perks of being the architect? You get to admire your own work from the street! 😄

09/24/2026

What an honor!

AKAR Architecture has been named to both Forbes America’s Top 200 Residential Architects 2026 and Best in State Residential Architects 2026.

And we are incredibly proud to be the only architecture firm from Iowa on the list!

Nearly three decades of designing homes in Iowa, and now the privilege of representing our state nationally.

Thank you, Fred Albert and the Forbes editorial team, for this wonderful recognition.

Setting Sun House is finally gaining color, texture, and depth.Exterior finishes are defining the volumes, hardscape is ...
09/22/2026

Setting Sun House is finally gaining color, texture, and depth.

Exterior finishes are defining the volumes, hardscape is extending the architecture into the landscape, and cabinetry and tile are bringing material character to the interiors. The layers are coming together, one detail at a time.

So much resolved. So much still to unfold.

The journey from sketch to virtual reality keeps getting shorter. We can now walk through a project before it is built, ...
09/22/2026

The journey from sketch to virtual reality keeps getting shorter. We can now walk through a project before it is built, allowing us to experience space, scale, light, and movement while design decisions are still being made.

Technology is becoming an exciting part of the design process. A new house taking shape in Iowa City.

A new house brewing in Iowa City. Site, light, landscape and structure beginning to find their order.
09/20/2026

A new house brewing in Iowa City. Site, light, landscape and structure beginning to find their order.

Construction at Setting Sun House on Lake Macbride is making progress. Pool plaster work starts next week.
09/04/2026

Construction at Setting Sun House on Lake Macbride is making progress. Pool plaster work starts next week.

Our office is filled with models from more than 30 years of designing houses. We started with museum board and corrugate...
09/01/2026

Our office is filled with models from more than 30 years of designing houses. We started with museum board and corrugated sheets, moved on to wood, and now we 3D-print them.

The owners keep the houses, and we keep the models. Not a bad trade, right?

Here are a few of the newest additions. UltiMaker

Fireplaces are in their final stages of completion at Setting Sun. Three textures of local Anamosa stone come together h...
08/20/2026

Fireplaces are in their final stages of completion at Setting Sun. Three textures of local Anamosa stone come together here: smooth vein cut stone reveals the linear grain, ribbed lower courses create a matte, heavier base, and cross cut bands expose the stone’s flower like swirls. The horizontal banding will continue into the walnut paneling. That comes next!

Tile work continues at the house on Lake Macbride. Complex patterns, challenging details, and a lot of skilled hands bri...
08/11/2026

Tile work continues at the house on Lake Macbride. Complex patterns, challenging details, and a lot of skilled hands bringing the main bathroom to life.

Nancy Pearson

Curved mesh roofs, courtyard, cantilevers… some wild possibilities are taking shape for the transformation of an existin...
08/11/2026

Curved mesh roofs, courtyard, cantilevers… some wild possibilities are taking shape for the transformation of an existing midcentury house in Iowa City.

Fresh project on the boards. Time to experiment, explore, and create.

Address

1027 Rochester Avenue
Iowa City, IA
52245

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13193514111

Website

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