James Meier-Gast

OPN Architects

WHO WE ARE Over the course of our nearly 40 year history, OPN has grown from a handful of designers practicing in a single studio to nearly 120 talented individuals working in four offices in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Iowa City, Iowa, and Madison, Wisconsin. As a comprehensive architectural, landscape, and interior design firm, OPN Architect's solution-based process and approach is informed by data and rooted in a fundamental belief that detail and rigor inform every design decision. We thrive in challenging situations because our ability to build relationships between people, decisions, and information is central to our success. HOW WE WORK We collaborate. We camp out in teaming rooms during intensive periods of research and design. We document our ideas with layers of trace paper, sticky notes, photos and boards, and workshop ideas together during weekly design critiques. We understand that physical space can foster or inhibit collaboration and innovation, and we believe passionately that success lies in bringing people and perspectives together. WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT Responsiveness, responsibility, and commitment to open dialogue are our most important attributes, and we believe these commitments are the reason for our high percentage of repeat clients. We work to create trusting, mutually beneficial relationships on each project simply because we believe it's the right thing to do. We are committed to an open culture that nurtures excellence and new ideas. We encourage open dialogue and, as a team, we find the optimal design solution for our clients. COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY We are deeply committed to the well-being of the communities in which we practice. We are honored to support the goals and operations of our clients through design. We also strive to make our communities better through participation in professional organizations such as chambers of commerce and rotaries in our hometowns.