Avec Design+Build

The Octagon Art Festival just happened in Ames which got us thinking about the significance of the octagonal shape not just in art, but architecture! Octagonal shaped buildings have been around for centuries. Their spiritual significance and stylistic growth have had a large impact on architecture through the years. Learn more about The Octagon Center for the Arts’s first home and how William Thornton (Architect of the White House) incorporated octagonal designs in the current headquarters of the American Institute of Architects on our Substack.

What do Octagons have to do with Architecture? Avec Design+Build | September 28, 2026

We previously talked about the benefits of utilizing an Architect from a Design + Build firm. Similarly, choosing a Builder who is part of an integrated Design + Build firm like Avec offers great advantages. Design decisions can be made with a better understanding of construction constraints when the Builder is able to weigh in on decisions along the way. Once construction begins, our team already knows the ins and outs of the project. Communication and decisions happen faster than traditional Architect-Builder relationships, which leads to quicker and more thorough problem solving, which ultimately saves time and money for our clients.

We found our place on the new mural map at Cynthia Duff Plaza. Have you found yours?

Join us in making the second annual Ames: A Glimpse Inside event a success! We enjoyed hosting tours in our building last year and are excited to see a new batch of buildings to tour. Sign up to volunteer and stay tuned for more info on the event.

Join us as a volunteer!

It’s Wellness Month! Plenty of us wish we could have a place to exercise and work out the stress at home. Take a look at this newly constructed private gym we designed and built.

According to the Aug 26th is Flashing Day! Here is one example of how we’ve used flashing in a project. This project was an extensive deck addition that incorporated a stone veneer for overhead arches and fireplaces. The flashing here was critical to keep the framing assembly from taking on water while still allowing the arches to read as robust stone accents. Coupled with deck framing tape to extend the life of the joists themselves, this deck will be around for as many seasons as the homeowner can throw at it. Check out more projects like this at: https://www.avecdesignbuild.com/ourwork/

Meeting building code gets you a permit, but thoughtful design gets you a space that works for everyone. When you’re planning your next commercial build or renovation, keeping these specific accessibility details in mind early on saves retrofitting headaches later:
Clearances & Heights: If you're doing a pull-under sink or side-approach counter, 34" is your max mounting height. (Side note: keep paper towels at a 48" max height and TP rolls at a 19" minimum).
Hardware choices: Swap round k***s for lever door handles and lever sink fixtures. They are significantly easier to open, pull, and turn.
Navigating elevations: If an internal ramp has a rise lower than 6", it can be navigated without a handrail. For stairs, double handrails provide much better balance and support.
Durability for mobility: Installing a steel collision plate at the bottom of a ramp protects your walls and assists wheeled mobility devices.
We mapped out 13 of these specific details in our own design + build office at Avec. Check out our Substack to learn more about each feature! What’s one accessibility feature you think gets overlooked the most in commercial design?

Let’s Talk About Accessibility... Avec Design+Build

Do you own a business or home in a local historic district? If so, you won’t want to miss out on this opportunity to hear from our Partner + Architect Jason, as well as Benjamin Campbell (City of Ames - City Government Planner) and Casie Vance (Executive Director, Ames History Museum), about the local and national programs and grants that may be available to help you finance improvements. Come to the Ames History Museum on Thursday, August 27th from 5:30-6:30pm for a presentation and quick tour of our historic building.