Great architecture is about more than how a design looks - it’s about creating environments that meet the needs of users and improve their quality of life. For us, it's also about envisioning what could be and forging a bold path forward for our clients and our practice.

Whether it's a sprawling educational campus or a single-building renovation, we create structures and spaces that are timeless and enduring. With each project, our goal is to balance functionality and aesthetics as we collaborate to understand the social and cultural context of each project and work together to develop design solutions that meet the unique needs of each client. By combining our creativity, technical expertise and collaborative approach, we seek to create imaginative, sustainable spaces that enhance the lives of users and communities. 

Our Approach

For a design to be successful, we must first gain a clear understanding of each client's needs and goals. Our work starts with an immersion in your vision for the future of our project. During this planning process, we engage various stakeholders in participatory planning and charrette process to interview, discuss, listen, observe and participate to collectively define issues, explore options and arrive at a consensus. These charrettes combine fact-finding with an energetic and engaging atmosphere to nurture creative solutions. 

We believe in a well-defined and rigorous process that draws on the expertise of our team members to conceptualize the project early in the planning process so guardrails for design and decision-making can guide the project to success. From the day we begin planning and collaborating with each client, our team starts to frame the overall project scope, phasing, cost and schedule.

Our process employs a tailored set of intuitive tools that can blend virtual and in-person experiences to reinforce collaboration and participation through the planning and design phases. This adaptable framework accommodates the “pivots” inherent in any process and can shift to meet a project's changing needs from planning through construction. From beginning to end, we lead clients through an exciting and collaborative design process that will stimulate creativity, challenge assumptions, inspire change and activate ideas. 

Universal Design 

Our work in a variety of people-centered market sectors has influenced our awareness and attention to the diversity of accessibility needs. Universal design is truly for everyone, despite widespread confusion that it applies exclusively to people who are disabled or elderly or solely as a strategy to address ADA requirements. 

From higher education campuses and early childhood education facilities for children with special needs to medical facilities and senior living environments, our teams have employed universal design strategies that provide equity and comprehensively improve the user experience. Universal design increases the potential for a better quality of life for everyone - and reduces stigma by putting people with disabilities on an equal playing field.

Awards
Excellence in Design — Merit Award
AIA Iowa Chapter
2022
Architectural Citation Award — Interior Architecture
AIA Nebraska
2022
Emerging Professional Exhibit, Environmental Excellence
AIA
2020
Excellence in Craft — Merit Award
AIA Iowa Chapter
2019

"Top 300" Design Firm

Architectural Record named RDG as #86, maintaining the firm’s position as one of the top 100 design firms in the United States.

Ranked 43 by BD+C

Building Design+Construction Magazine's latest ranking of the Top 110 Architecture/Engineering Firms places RDG Planning & Design at #43.

"Top 500" Design Firm

Engineering News-Record‘s Top 500 Design Firms list ranks the largest engineering, architectural and environmental design firms in the U.S. RDG Planning & Design was ranked #398.

Architecture
Projects

More Projects
Nebraska Methodist Hospital PT/OT Gym Renovation
Methodist Health System Omaha, NE 2022
University of Iowa — Simulation Wet Lab
University of Iowa Iowa City, IA 2021
UNMC — Williams Science Hall Renovation
University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 2021
Winterset Courthouse Historic District Facade Rehabilitation
City of Winterset Winterset, IA 2020
RDG Omaha Corporate Office
Children's Nebraska Omaha, NE 2019
Integer Office Remodel
Integer Group Des Moines, IA 2018
University of Michigan North Campus Recreation Building (NCRB) Renovation
University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 2018
Alvine Engineering Corporate Offices
Alvine Engineering Omaha, NE 2018
The Lodge at Sheldon Crossing
City of Sheldon Sheldon, IA 2017
Madison College Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Sports Complex Ph I
Madison College Madison, WI 2017
The Landing at Williamsburg Small House
Immanuel Communities Lincoln, NE 2017
Early Education and Family Center at the Barack and Michelle Obama Academy
Sheltering Arms Atlanta, GA 2017
R. Richard Bittner Athletic & Recreation Center
Palmer College of Chiropractic Davenport, IA 2017
Early Childhood Academy, South Memphis
Porter-Leath Memphis, TN 2017
Central College P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium Expansion
Central College Pella, IA 2017
Grinnell Facade Rehabilitation
City of Grinnell Grinnell, IA 2017
Basilica of Saint John — Elevator Lobby Addition
Basilica of Saint John Des Moines, IA 2016
North Dakota State University Wallman Wellness Center Aquatics Addition
North Dakota State University Fargo, ND 2016
University of Michigan Intramural Sports Building (IMSB) Renovation
University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 2016
Ottumwa Theatre Facade Restoration
Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation Ottumwa, IA 2016
Montezuma Facade Rehabilitation
City of Montezuma Montezuma, IA 2016
St. James Catholic Church
St. James Catholic Church Kearney, NE 2016
Storm Lake Facade Rehabilitation
City of Storm Lake Storm Lake, IA 2015
Soccer and Tennis Complex
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE 2015
Adel Facade Rehabilitation
City of Adel Adel, IA 2015
Bookin Innovation Center
Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation Ottumwa, IA 2015
Student Recreation Center Expansion and Renovation
University of Oregon Eugene, OR 2015
St. Joseph Chapel at Dowling Catholic High School
RDG Planning & Design West Des Moines, IA 2015
Radford University — Student Recreation and Wellness
Radford University Radford, VA 2014
St. Mary Catholic Church and School
St. Mary Catholic Church and School Joplin, MO 2014
Lakes Regional Healthcare — Surgery, Birth Centers, CCU, Entry & Signage
Lakes Regional Healthcare Spirit Lake, IA 2014
Cass County Memorial Hospital Renovation
Cass Counth Memorial Hospital Atlantic, IA 2014
University of Nebraska Medical Center Microsurgery Simulation Lab
University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 2013
Mahaska Health Partnership Surgery, Medsurg, OB & CCU
Mahaska Health Partnership Oskaloosa, IA 2013
Fort Dodge Middle School
Fort Dodge Community School District Fort Dodge, IA 2013
Educare of Lincoln
Buffett Early Childhood Fund Lincoln, NE 2013
Ritz Theatre
Appanoose County Coalition for the Arts Centerville, IA 2012
Grinnell City Hall (former Iowa Transportation Museum)
City of Grinnell / Iowa Transportation Museum Grinnell, IA 2012
MLK Brickstone Apartments
Hatch Development Group Des Moines, IA 2012
University of Florida Stadium West Concourse
University of Florida Gainesville, FL 2012
Nebraska Medicine — Village Pointe Endoscopy Suite
Children's Nebraska Omaha, NE 2012
Educare of West DuPage
Educare West Chicago, IL 2012
State Gym Recreation Expansion & Renovation
Iowa State University Ames, IA 2012
Flynn Wright Building
Flynn Wright Des Moines, IA 2011
Lakes Regional Healthcare Phase 1 Renovations
Lakes Regional Healthcare Spirit Lake, IA 2011
Fort Calhoun Elementary School
Fort Calhoun Community Schools Fort Calhoun, NE 2011
Educare Arizona
Educare Arizona Phoenix, AZ 2011
Linn-Mar Stadium
Linn-Mar Community Schools Marion, IA 2011
Southlake Village Rehabilitation & Care Center
Vetter Health Services, Inc. Lincoln, NE 2011
Southwest Recreation Center Expansion
University of Florida Gainesville, FL 2010
Louisiana State University — Basketball Practice Facility
Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA 2010
Omaha North High Magnet School — Engineering, Science & Technology Addition
Omaha Public Schools Omaha, NE 2010
College of Nursing
University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 2010
Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Catholic Church
Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Catholic Church Ankeny, IA 2010
Capital Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
Capital Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Clive, IA 2010
Educare of Tulsa at Hawthorne
George Kaiser Family Foundation Tulsa, OK 2010
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Sacred Heart Catholic Church Omaha, NE 2009
Educare of Omaha at Indian Hill Elementary
Buffett Early Childhood Fund Omaha, NE 2009
Jack Trice Stadium Expansion
Iowa State University Ames, IA 2009
University of Wisconsin — LaCrosse, Roger Harring Stadium & Veteran's Memorial Field Complex
University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse La Crosse, WI 2009
Donald R. Dizney Stadium at the Florida Lacrosse Facility
University of Florida Gainesville, FL 2009
St Cecilia Catholic Church
Archdiocese of Dubuque Ames, IA 2008
Davis Brown Tower
Ladco Development, Inc. Des Moines, IA 2008
Heavener Football Complex
University of Florida Gainesville, FL 2008
Brookestone Meadows
Vetter Health Services, Inc. Elkhorn, NE 2008
St. Mary's Catholic Church
St. Mary's Catholic Church Blacksburg, VA 2008
Child Saving Institute
Child Saving Institute Foundation Omaha, NE 2008
Clayton Early Learning — Educare of Denver
Clayton Early Learning Denver, CO 2007
St. Paul Lutheran Church
St. Paul Lutheran Church Ankeny, IA 2007
Educare of Tulsa at Kendall Whittier
Community Action Project Tulsa, OK 2006
Drake Stadium Renovation, Phase I
Drake University Des Moines, IA 2006
Omaha Public Safety Training Tower
City of Omaha Omaha, NE 2005
Fortune 500 Company Child Development Center
Fortune 500 Company Omaha, NE 2005
St. Paul Lutheran Church
St Paul Lutheran Church Winterset, IA 2004
Educare of Omaha at Kellom Elementary
Susan A. Buffett Foundation Omaha, NE 2003
First National Bank of Omaha Child Development Center
First National Bank of Omaha Omaha, NE 2000
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Ames
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Ames, IA 2000
St. Therese of Lisieux
St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church South Falls, SD 2000
Ember Youth Recovery Campus
Youth Shelter & Services Cambridge, IA
H&H Premier Automotive — Heartwood Preserve
H&H Automotive Omaha, NE
Iowa State Capitol Interior Rehabilitation and Restoration
State of Iowa Des Moines, IA