The Iowa Architectural Foundation recognizes Mainframe Studios with Community Enhancement through Historic Vitalization Award

The Iowa Architectural Foundation recognizes Mainframe Studios with the 2025 Community Enhancement through Historic Vitalization Award.

Mainframe has boldly transformed a former Brutalist structure—once built for computing infrastructure—into the largest nonprofit creative workspace in the nation. Today, it stands as a thriving hub for more than 200 working artists and art enthusiasts, anchoring the northern gateway to downtown Des Moines and catalyzing neighborhood revitalization.

The jury praised Mainframe Studios for reimagining a windowless structure into a vibrant cultural space, catalyzing revitalization in a growing district at the edge of downtown, and for creating a thriving community of working artists

“Mainframe Studios has transformed a largely windowless box into a vessel for creative arts, bringing in needed daylight through thoughtfully placed windows that respect the original Chick Herbert architecture, while creating its own impactful identity through the enveloping building mural and artist installations. A vital community asset has been realized.” — Jeff Shaffer, AIA, Awards Juror

Thank you to The Iowa Architectural Foundation! To learn more about the 2025 Community Enhancement Award winners click here.