IIDA Great Plains Chapter Announces 2026 Interior Design Excellence Awards Recipients

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Great Plains Chapter has recognized RDG Planning & Design with two Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA). The annual program celebrates design excellence across the region, honoring projects that embody the belief that “good design is good design.” In 2026, Hawkeye Community College’s Grundy Hall Health Science Center and the Mesa County Early Childhood Education, Training and Community Center each received a Design Award.

RDG’s work at Hawkeye Community College reimagines Grundy Hall Health Science Center as a cohesive, light-filled environment that brings together previously dispersed programs. A central corridor and communicating stair organize circulation and draw students into a central hub of activity, while sloped glazing introduces soft natural light that unifies the interior.

Material transitions reinforce how the space is used, shifting from durable concrete in high-traffic areas to wood and acoustical elements in quieter zones. These moments, especially around the central stair, create more intimate places for connection. Sustainable material selections and inclusive features, including nongendered restrooms, support a healthier, more accessible learning environment. The result is an interior that balances performance with warmth, supporting hands-on education while strengthening connections across programs.

In Mesa County, RDG’s Design for the Early Childhood Education, Training and Community Center creates a welcoming, multifunctional environment rooted in its regional context. Interior colors and materials draw from Colorado’s Western Slope, establishing a warm, grounded atmosphere for children, families and educators. Classrooms extend directly into outdoor learning areas, encouraging exploration and play from infancy through early childhood.

The building also supports workforce training, community gatherings and civic engagement through flexible, shared spaces. Bold color accents and architectural elements guide movement and define key areas, while perforated panels and open transitions shape light-filled interiors that maintain a strong connection to the outdoors. Together, these elements position the center as a hub for education, collaboration and community life.

Winners were recognized at the IDEA Awards celebration on April 24 in Omaha, Nebraska. The IIDA Great Plains Chapter represents interior design professionals across Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota, working to elevate the practice and promote the value of design. A full list of winners can be viewed here.