Iowa Architectural Foundation Announces 2026 Community Enhancement Award Winners
9/3/2026DES MOINES, Iowa (September 2, 2026) – The Iowa Architectural Foundation (IAF) has announced the recipients of its 2026 Community Enhancement Awards, recognizing three individuals and organizations whose leadership and investment have made a significant positive impact on Iowa communities.
This year’s recipients are Dave Morgan – SingleSpeed Brewing Co. and the Vera French Community Mental Health Center, recipients of the Community Enhancement through Architecture and Design Award; and Why Not Us, LLC, recipient of the Community Enhancement through Historic Vitalization Award.
The Community Enhancement Awards recognize individuals, organizations, agencies, and communities outside the architectural profession whose efforts demonstrate the power of architecture, design, and preservation to improve quality of life and strengthen communities.
Dave Morgan – SingleSpeed Brewing Co.
Community Enhancement through Architecture and Design Award
Through SingleSpeed Brewing Co., Dave Morgan has consistently chosen to reinvest in existing buildings rather than pursue new construction. From the historic Main Street district in Cedar Falls to the former Wonder Bread bakery in Waterloo and the Earl’s Tire building in Des Moines, Morgan has transformed underutilized structures into vibrant destinations while preserving their architectural character.
“Dave Morgan has demonstrated a commitment to improving communities across Iowa – rehabilitating structures abandoned, underutilized, and in need of a vision. He has catalyzed Iowa’s communities to gather, connect, recreate, and celebrate!” said juror James Spiller, AIA.
Vera French Community Mental Health Center
Community Enhancement through Architecture and Design Award
The Vera French Clinic at Central Park in Davenport demonstrates how architecture can directly advance a community mission. A 2025 renovation and addition transformed the previously outdated facility into a welcoming, accessible, trauma-informed environment while more than doubling waiting-room capacity and expanding access to mental health services.
“What a great example of what architecture can do for a mission. This project took an unappealing, uninviting storefront and transformed it into a welcoming and attractive place in the community. The project helps take away any stigmas with mental health and provided a place everyone is comfortable visiting,” said juror Chad Rasmussen.
Why Not Us, LLC
Community Enhancement through Historic Vitalization Award
In Jefferson, 73 local women came together through Why Not Us, LLC to save and rehabilitate the historic Centennial Block after a devastating 2019 water loss left the building unusable. The $1,019,500 rehabilitation restored the 1876 building’s first-floor commercial space and added two upper-story housing units, bringing a significant downtown landmark back to productive use.
The project has become a catalyst for continued downtown investment and community revitalization.
“This project exemplifies what Community Enhancement means. It brought together a group of women determined to make their town better and it galvanized a community. It may not be a large dollar project but the impact on Jefferson has been immense,” said juror Chad Rasmussen.
The 2026 awards were led by Awards Chair Evan Shaw, AIA, with jurors Chad Rasmussen, Jeff Shaffer, AIA, and James Spiller, AIA. Winners will be recognized at the upcoming AIA Iowa Awards Celebration on September 24th.
Read the full story about the 2026 Community Enhancement Award recipients and their impact on Iowa communities: https://www.iowaarchfoundation.org/news/iaf-announces-2026-community-enhancement-award-winners
