About

Design & Construction leads a comprehensive and cooperative approach to design and construction excellence in creating a campus that is consistent with the University of Iowa’s status as one of the nation’s leading academic/research institutions.  We support the University’s mission to educate, provide community service and encourage environmental sustainability.

Design & Construction takes an integrated and sustainable approach to the long-term planning and management of the University of Iowa’s land, buildings, and historic resources.  We facilitate and support decision making processes of Senior Administration and the Board of Regents in these areas.

DC Org Chart

What We Do

As professionals, we provide the University of Iowa community with state of the art expertise in the following areas:

  • Architectural and Interior Design
  • Construction Management
  • Historic and Environmental Preservation
  • Project Management
  • Sustainable Buildings

For Campus Master Planning, Campus Development Plan, and Planning Committee information visit the Campus Planning and Development website.

D&C Tool Box

Check out webcams for current projects, alerts, and more!

Department Goals

Design and Construction strives to integrate and encompass the following bullet points in all of the work that we do.

  • Innovation in the form of strategic thinking and creative practice to improve the results of the capital development processes
  • Creation of effective communication networks with various constituents, both internal and external, as the University of Iowa’s responsible liaison in physical design and construction
  • Dedication to meeting project schedules and project budgets
  • Continuous commitment to advance and maintain an institutional stewardship role
Pharmacy Construction

Featured Projects and Initiatives

10-year Facilities Master Plan

Stanley Museum of Art

Wrestling Training Facility

Contact Us

Michael Kearns

Director, Design and Construction

michael-kearns@uiowa.edu

(319) 384-2696

David DeGroot

Associate Director, Design and Construction

david-degroot@uiowa.edu

(319) 467-1016

Jake Humphreys

Associate Director, Design and Construction

jake-humphreys@uiowa.edu

(319) 335-6282

Design and Construction News

In the News

Hydroscience testing equipment in operation at the University of Iowa wave basin pool

UI seeks permission to plan new hydroscience research building to grow program

Monday, April 15, 2024
The University of Iowa College of Engineering’s IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering is a world-renowned program, and a proposed facility expansion would keep Iowa at the forefront of fluids-related research. The UI is seeking approval from the Iowa Board of Regents at its April 24-25 meeting to proceed with planning the construction of a new building on the Oakdale campus for future growth and development of the IIHR hydroscience program.
New road 1

New road will connect Newton Road to UI Hospitals & Clinics

Friday, November 10, 2023
For the first time in more than a decade, there are plans for a new road on campus. The project will connect Newton Road to the fountain entrance of the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, which will make way for construction of the hospital's new inpatient tower.
Ground Breaking

University of Iowa breaks ground on new multi-disciplinary health sciences building

Wednesday, November 1, 2023
The University of Iowa celebrated a groundbreaking for a new six-floor building that will be home to three of the school's top programs: communication sciences and disorders, health and human physiology and physical therapy and rehab services.