Architects should design more houses

A year ago, my daughter and her husband moved back to the Sioux Falls area. We spent several months looking for houses in all price ranges. First, there was very little available. Second, the houses we saw were not very well-designed in any price range. Usually, many architects and firms do not design many houses. Custom homes are very time-consuming and often not profitable.

A library in the landscape: The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library

Last year, representatives from the architectural firms of Snøhetta and JLG Architects made a presentation of The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library at the AIA South Dakota Annual Convention. It is an exciting project in the North Dakota Badlands near Medora, N.D., that will become a major attraction once it opens. We contacted Matt Brinely of the…

Remembering Children sculpture plaza

From rodeo to remembrance: Design in the Hills 2025

AIA South Dakota’s signature summer event began with our first-ever rodeo and wrapped up with a social and sponsor expo. Throughout the day on July 17, we learned from one another through onsite visits and designer-led tours to five distinct projects that are helping shape Rapid City. The annual gathering brings together architects, landscape architects,…

Fall Reflections: Part 2

A client recently asked “why are your fees higher than last time?” A bit of context… the question was in regard to Phase 2 of a larger renovation. The entire project was originally designed, comprehensively, under a separate fee. To accommodate budgets and schedules, it was split into two different, equal sized phases, for construction.…

AIA SD leaders visit with all 3 members of SD’s delegation

Cover image: AIA SD President Jeff Nelson, AIA, and AIA SD President-elect Justin Oleson, AIA, meet with U.S. Sen. John Thune to discuss federal issues that impact our state and country. They are by Lakisha Ann Woods, CAE, EVP and CEO of AIA, AIA President-elect Evelyn Lee, FAIA, NOMA, and AIA President Kimberly Dowdell, AIA,…