RDG in the Media: Iowa Architecture Magazine Features Public Art Projects

Iowa Architect magazine, the official publication of AIA Iowa, serves as a voice for advocating design excellence in architecture and the arts. In its winter 2024 issue, the publication highlighted AIA award winners at the state, regional and national levels, showcasing honorees from the 2023 AIA Iowa Design Awards and the 2023 AIA Central States Design Awards. The Art Studio at RDG Planning & Design had three featured projects in the issue.

RDG’s AIA Iowa recognition includes two Excellence in Craft awards for “Set Open the Door O Soul,” a public art installation located at the Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines and Murmuration in Des Moines. 

“Set Open the Door O Soul” is nestled within a memorial garden on campus adjacent to the Coppola Family St. Joseph Chapel. RDG’s design for the sculpture encourages people to practice a moment of pause and reflection. 

Murmuration can be found within the walls of RDG’s Des Moines office. Made from more than 450 handmade slip-cast forms, the art installation mimics a murmuration of starlings flying individually, yet as a whole, for a greater purpose. 

AIA Central States honored RDG’s design for the Lake Como Park Pavilion with a Small Project, Citation award. The Lake Como Park Pavilion is an artistic plaza that invites people to gather around a structure engraved with significant text excerpts from The Lake Como Weekly archives.

Read more about the honorees in the winter issue of Iowa Architect magazine.