The Firm

by Stacy Rinella | March 20, 2025 9:08 am

[1]

The work of our 12-member studio is proudly expressive of this place. Our work acknowledges our heritage and is impelled by the appreciation of the relentless rhythms of the Iowa landscape. We are based in Des Moines, Iowa, and while we practice in the state’s most populous city, we remain minutes away from the row crops that dominate our near environment visually, economically, and socially. We have used our place to motivate our work for nearly twenty years. Over that time our work has been featured in 80 publications and garnered more than 60 design awards.

 

The professional lexicon

ASK Studio is committed to participation in awards programs as both participants and judges. We believe that awards are part of the professional lexicon that allows us to communicate our design advancements and achievements. These programs give a platform for design professionals to share ideas and be recognized for outstanding achievement.

 

Hot topics

We are very pleased with the industry’s focus on the environment. The recent advancements of thermal insulation materials to prevent thermal bridging and a push towards increased recyclable content are factors that keep metal at the forefront of our material palette.

[2]

 

What comes next

We are optimistic about the upcoming year. The trends in interest rates are a positive sign for future construction demand. Our goals are lofty and achievable:

• We want to be part of positive change in the decarbonization of the building industry.
• We will use our talents and knowledge to have an impact on the availability, livability, and affordability of housing.
• Our goal every year is to aspire to create architecture that speaks of things beyond problem solving and fundamental space.

  [3]

 

Recycling matters

Our specification process is paramount in making our sustainability goals understood and fully realized. It is becoming easier to find manufacturers and systems information on recyclable content to aid in our rubric for materials selection. The industry has embraced this focus as part of both a social parameter and a marketing concern. We are finding numerous options to keep our recycled content requirements economical for our clients.

 

Midwestern syntax

Our studio finds innovation in the use of typical or standard materials to be part of our midwestern syntax. We produce work in an agrarian culture where anything can be fixed with baling wire. We recently completed an office facility for an ethanol production facility, using the material palette from the plant. Corrugated metal from the million bushel bins and stainless-steel mesh form the grain cleaning equipment. The mesh is used as shading devices for building glazing and outdoor gathering spaces. The use of corrugated siding simply places this building comfortably within a vernacular. It is as subtle as a wink. [4]

The shop and offices of Dobson Organ Builders were destroyed by a fire two years ago. We used a PEMB to get a timely and cost-effective solution. The building is modeled after a conceptual organ…The linear metal panels represent the vertical pipes with the wood insertion being representative of the organ case

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/columns/the-firm-2/

---