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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

AKAR ARchiTecture

Name: AKAR ARchiTecture
Address: 1027 Rochester Avenue, Iowa City, IA, 52245, US
Telephone: +13193514111
Price range: $$

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Iowa City, IA
AKAR ARchiTecture

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AKAR ARchiTecture + Design founded in 1997, was founded on simple idea: That building design is a poe We are intrigued by the wisdom of vernacular architecture.

AKAR ARchiTecture + Design, Iowa City, Iowa founded in 1997, was founded on simple idea: That building design is a poetic response to people, nature and function. It should be timeless, inspiring and capturing the spirit of its environment. This regionalism is frequently used in our design process to articulate the sense of place with common sense sustainability.The firm’s work is known for its geometric and simple forms defining landscaped spaces in-between architecture to evoke serenity that quietly celebrates human intellect, innovation and craftsmanship.

10/29/2026

As the weather begins to turn, the Setting Sun crew is racing to bring the exterior together. Concrete driveways and walkways, exterior tile, glass railings, siding, landscaping… every front is buzzing with activity. The finish line is finally in sight!

10/24/2026

The floating staircase at Setting Sun is finally taking shape! From rendering to reality, three years in the making. Architecture teaches you patience. Unfortunately, that has never been one of my strengths! :)

10/23/2026

Site visit day at Setting Sun House!

I couldn’t resist crossing the lake to see two of our homes along the shoreline of this coveted, island-like neighborhood.

On the far left is Setting Sun, our latest work in progress. Second from the right is Cabin 717, designed over a decade ago.

Two homes, a decade apart, each with its own dialogue with the landscape. A special moment to see them together from across the water.

10/11/2026

Just happened to drive past a house we designed a few years ago. The idea was simple: break a basic form into a composition of planes, colors, and lines.

Years later, it still makes me stop in my tracks!

I may be a little biased, but isn’t that one of the perks of being the architect? You get to admire your own work from the street! 😄

09/24/2026

What an honor!

AKAR Architecture has been named to both Forbes America’s Top 200 Residential Architects 2026 and Best in State Residential Architects 2026.

And we are incredibly proud to be the only architecture firm from Iowa on the list!

Nearly three decades of designing homes in Iowa, and now the privilege of representing our state nationally.

Thank you, Fred Albert and the Forbes editorial team, for this wonderful recognition.

09/22/2026

Setting Sun House is finally gaining color, texture, and depth.

Exterior finishes are defining the volumes, hardscape is extending the architecture into the landscape, and cabinetry and tile are bringing material character to the interiors. The layers are coming together, one detail at a time.

So much resolved. So much still to unfold.

09/22/2026

The journey from sketch to virtual reality keeps getting shorter. We can now walk through a project before it is built, allowing us to experience space, scale, light, and movement while design decisions are still being made.

Technology is becoming an exciting part of the design process. A new house taking shape in Iowa City.

09/20/2026

A new house brewing in Iowa City. Site, light, landscape and structure beginning to find their order.

09/04/2026

Construction at Setting Sun House on Lake Macbride is making progress. Pool plaster work starts next week.

09/01/2026

Our office is filled with models from more than 30 years of designing houses. We started with museum board and corrugated sheets, moved on to wood, and now we 3D-print them.

The owners keep the houses, and we keep the models. Not a bad trade, right?

Here are a few of the newest additions. UltiMaker

Address

1027 Rochester Avenue
Iowa City, IA
52245

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13193514111

Website

http://www.akararchitecture.com/

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