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Leah Rudolphi

Leah Rudolphi, AIA (March 2006 Architecture), an architect with Substance Architecture in Des Moines, received the 2022 AIA Iowa Young Architect Award from the American Institute of Architects, Iowa chapter, at the AIA Iowa Annual Convention in Des Moines in September. The award recognizes an individual who has shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession in the areas of design, education, and/or service in an early stage of their architectural career.

“Few architects of any age display the commitment to design quality and attention to detail that Leah models every day,” said Paul Mankins, FAIA (BA 1985 Architecture), founder and consulting principal at Substance. “She has the unique ability to frame the generative logic that underpins our best design work and then advance the details that support that logic. This ability is both rare and essential to creating work that is meaningful and endures.

“Leah joined substance architecture in 2010 after a stellar academic career at Iowa State University and professional experience with both Foster and Partners in London, England and Allied Works Architecture in Portland, Oregon. She has contributed to projects ranging from the National AIA IFFRA Faith and Form Award-winning Tiffereth Israel Synagogue to the Stew and LeNore Hansen Football Performance Center at the University of Iowa, which was recognized with a Central States Regional AIA Award in 2016.

“While the scale of these projects varies dramatically, they share a clarity and focus. Both buildings directly and elegantly solve their functional requirements while simultaneously communicating their client’s greater aspirations. Leah’s ability to move beyond the building program to discover the larger possibilities has been key to these project’s success. She understands the transformative power of architecture to impact the environment and communicate shared values.”



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