Avec Design+Build

Stop by for a sweet treat 10:00am - 1:00pm TODAY! See you soon!

As a proud part of our historic Downtown Ames community, we’re passionate about investing in the neighborhood we call home and helping our fellow local businesses thrive.
Want to refresh your storefront? The City of Ames - City Government Fall Downtown Façade Grants are now open, offering business owners up to $23,000 in matching funds plus $2,000 toward professional design fees. Having partnered with local businesses on grant-winning designs before, we're ready to help bring your vision to life.
Grant applications are due November 16th, so contact us today to collaborate on your design!

We’ve started a new project! We’re not ready to announce what it is quite yet (follow us to see when we do) but we want to show you what we've been working hard at!

Everyone likes progress… we are no exception. Take a look at our Farmhouse Kitchen and Bath remodel and how far we’ve come. Stay tuned for the finished project coming soon!

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.