Real Estate

AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Students Design Solutions

Submitted by Sam Hoyle, Multimedia Producer

Thursday, April 18th, 2013, 3:23am

AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Students Design Solutions

As part of Affordable Housing Week, April 15th-20th, 50 students have been challenged to design an affordable home for a fictional Des Moines family.

The top designer will earn themselves a $2,000 scholarship with two additional $500 prizes on offer for the runners-up.

From 9 a.m. Saturday, the students’ work will be on public display at the Pappajohn Center in the Western Gateway. Five will present their work to a panel of judges from 10 a.m.

Justine Bangert of ASK Studio, one of the contest's creators said, “The definition of affordable housing often has a social stigma attached to it. As architects, we strive to challenge design issues such as this every day. This event will be a great way to educate the community on what ‘affordable’ actually means and how it doesn’t have to look any different than the house next door. We look forward to seeing the students’ solutions and how they interpret affordable housing.”

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ARCHITECTURAL MILESTONE: 90 Years In The Making

Submitted by Sam Hoyle, Multimedia Producer

Sunday, March 24th, 2013, 5:05am

90 years on, one local architectural firm has adapted to technological changes to remain at the forefront.

frk architects + engineers celebrates 90 years of service this year – making it one of the oldest architectural firms in the state.

“Having such a rich history doesn’t happen by coincidence,” says managing partner Dave Briden. “We have always had a reputation of working very hard to serve our clients well and to build long lasting relationships with them. That’s the key to our success.”

In 1923 it was all drawing boards and reams of paper, now it’s sophisticated computer software that helps them design public and commercial buildings including the B’nai Jeshurun Temple in Des Moines, Kum and Go’s throughout the Midwest, The Adventureland Inn in Altoona, and the Cass County Courthouse in Atlantic.

The West Des Moines based company is currently working on several new school buildings including Johnston’s new high school.

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REALTOR GRANTS: Local Charities Benefit

Submitted by Sam Hoyle, Multimedia Producer

Thursday, January 24th, 2013, 8:24am

Several metro charities were the beneficiaries of some generosity from Des Moines’ realtors in 2012.

Central Iowa Shelter, Anawim House, Children & Families of Iowa, House of Mercy, Hope Ministries, Hawthorne New Directions, Orchard Place, Red Cross, Homes of Oakridge, Camp Sunnyside Easter Seals, Youth Homes of Mid-America and Beacon of Hope split $41,000.

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