Design Engineers Awarded Energy-Efficient Design Award at AIA Iowa Convention

Principal Jonathan Gettler accepting the 2025 Excellence in Energy-Efficient Design Award.

Design Engineers is proud to share that the Linn-Mar Community School District’s Educational Leadership Center has been selected to receive a 2025 Excellence in Energy-Efficient Design Award. Announced during the AIA Iowa Convention on Thursday, September 25, the recognition honors enrolled projects that achieve the highest levels of energy efficiency across the state. With 60% annual energy savings compared to the Commercial New Construction (CNC) baseline, Linn-Mar’s new 27,800-square-foot Educational Leadership Center was one of the four top-performing buildings in this year’s program.

The project, designed in collaboration with OPN Architects, consolidates the district’s administrative services while highlighting its commitment to sustainability.

The Linn-Mar Community School District Educational Leadership Center.
The Linn-Mar Community School District Educational Leadership Center.

“We used the program’s energy simulation models to influence the selection of some key systems for the owner, notably the decision to go with a water-cooled VRF system versus a traditional HVAC system, which had a huge influence on the final energy performance and long-term savings for the owner,” said Lead Electrical Engineer and Project Manager Tiffany Koch. “It’s extremely rewarding whenever we can incorporate energy efficiency programs in our work and see the long-term benefits they provide for the owner and, ultimately, the end-users—our communities. CNC is one of those programs we always keep in mind and look for opportunities to incorporate it into our next new build.”

Key CNC Program Strategies

The CNC program helps project teams evaluate energy efficiency strategies during design using customized simulation models. Through targeted meetings, owners and design teams identify the most effective, cost-efficient solutions. Energy-saving strategies for the Educational Leadership Center included a geothermal water-cooled VRF system paired with a ground source heat pump, high-efficiency lighting with manual-on controls, and customized dedicated outdoor air system zoning. Together, these solutions reduce operating costs, improve performance, and create a comfortable, adaptable facility that serves both district staff and the community.

More Conference Highlights

Thursday night brought another highlight, celebrating several client successes at the AIA Awards Dinner, including:

The Goschke Family Wrestling Training Center at the University of Iowa.
University of Iowa Nagle-Duda Gymnastics & Spirit Squads Training Center.
logo