Elevated Through Design: SHYFT Joins SSOE Group to Better Serve Greater Des Moines
As someone who’s spent more than three decades designing spaces for the people and organizations of Iowa, I’m honored to share a new chapter in our journey — a chapter that promises to bring even greater value, innovation and service to Greater Des Moines (DSM).
On Oct. 10, 2025, the SHYFT architecture and design team officially joined SSOE Group, an internationally ranked architecture and engineering firm. This partnership is more than a business transaction; it’s a strategic alignment that elevates our ability to serve clients, strengthens our role in the DSM community and expands what’s possible for the built environment.
What This Means for Des Moines
For our clients and partners in Des Moines, this transition means increased resources, continuity and growth. You’ll continue working with the same trusted team — local architects and designers who know the region, understand its needs and are invested in its future. Now, we’re backed by SSOE’s national resources, integrated engineering support and a portfolio that spans every size and complexity of project.
Our aim remains unchanged: to provide “A Better Way to a Better Space.” But now, we’re equipped to do so with even greater efficiency, quality and innovation. Together, SHYFT and SSOE deliver a seamless project experience, reducing handoffs and streamlining communication from concept through completion.
SHYFT’s Legacy in Des Moines
Our team in Des Moines prides itself on being the area’s consumer-facing architecture specialist, recognized for our collaborative approach and impactful design. Our portfolio in Des Moines includes projects that touch every aspect of community life, from higher education and healthcare to workplace and multi-family housing.
Some of our recent work includes the Forest Avenue Rowhomes, a project designed to address the “Missing Middle” in Des Moines housing gaps through strategic infill development. Located in the Drake University neighborhood, these rowhomes offer an alternative to traditional apartments and single-family homes, providing modern, affordable options for residents. The project was supported by local city officials and development partners, including DEV Partners and SHYFT Construction, reflecting our commitment to creating more livable communities and thoughtful urban transitions.
Our team looks forward to continuing our valued collaboration with DEV Partners and SHYFT Construction, building on shared successes like Forest Avenue Rowhomes and The Concord — a transformative redevelopment of a historic parking garage into modern office space in Sherman Hills neighborhood, where we will continue to share office space with DEV Partners and SHYFT Construction. And while we’re proud of the work we’ve accomplished together, we also welcome opportunities to collaborate with other economic developers, general contractors and partners who share our vision for impactful, community-centered design.
We also contributed to the Park Indy Rowhomes near Indianola Avenue, designed to bridge the gap between industrial city spaces and surrounding neighborhoods. These projects are more than buildings — they’re part of a vision to make Des Moines a place where everyone can find a home that fits their needs and aspirations.
Our design philosophy is simple: good design is good for all. We believe that spaces should embody who you are while enhancing user experience, form and function. This belief has shaped our collaborations with respected organizations such as Nationwide Insurance, F&G, Security Benefit, EveryStep, Central Bank, Iowa Association of Realtors, MercyOne, Central Bank, Central Iowa Shelter & Services — relationships that continue to inspire us, regardless of when they began.
Now, with SHYFT’s architecture and design team fully integrated into SSOE, we’re excited to reintroduce our expanded scope offerings and increased design support as we reconnect with partners and meet new, exploring what’s possible together here in DSM.
Elevated Through Design: The SSOE Advantage
SSOE brings a new dimension to our practice. With over 20 offices worldwide, the more than 1,400-person firm ranks among the Top 100 Design Firms by ENR and consistently achieves client satisfaction ratings over 95%. SSOE leads the industry in manufacturing facility and process design and allows us to serve an expanded client base in industrial markets such as specialty chemicals — including Iowa’s robust agrichemicals market — semiconductor and food and beverage sectors. Prior to aligning with SHYFT, SSOE completed more than 70 projects in Iowa over the past 10 years.
What does this mean for Des Moines? It means access to a full range of architecture and engineering services, single sourced. It means the ability to execute larger scopes and more complex projects. It means leveraging computational and AI-powered tools to create more informed, efficient designs.
SSOE’s expertise in higher education and healthcare aligns perfectly with SHYFT’s portfolio. Together, we bring deep experience to institutions such as The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Georgia Institute of Technology and ProMedica Health System. For Des Moines, this translates to smarter, more resilient spaces for learning, healing, working and living.
With over $2 billion in client savings tracked since 2009, SSOE continues to set the standard for innovation and value. The firm was recently recognized with the AI Impact Award at Great Lakes AI Week in Ohio, celebrating its leadership in scaling AI-driven solutions at an enterprise level. For our team and clients, this means even greater bottom-line savings and business efficiency — benefits we’re excited to deliver through SSOE’s forward-thinking approach. With the SHYFT architecture and design team’s integration with the firm, the Des Moines area gains the horsepower of a national leader, paired with the personal touch of a local partner.
Efficiency and Collaboration for Local Clients
One of the most exciting aspects of this partnership is the promise of greater efficiency and collaboration. By integrating design and engineering, we reduce the number of hand-offs, minimize delays and improve quality at every stage. Clients benefit from a single point of contact, clear communication and a unified team that’s invested in their success.
Community Commitment and Future Vision
Our roots in Des Moines run deep. As a team, we’re involved in local organizations, support community initiatives and strive to make a positive impact through our work. The acquisition by SSOE doesn’t change our commitment, it strengthens it.
We’re focused on addressing the region’s most pressing needs, from affordable housing to modern workplaces and state-of-the-art healthcare facilities. Our goal is to help Des Moines grow sustainably, inclusively and creatively.
Looking ahead, we see tremendous opportunity. The Des Moines region is one of the fastest growing in the Midwest, and the demand for innovative, equitable spaces has never been higher. With SSOE’s support, a firm headquartered in the Midwest for 77 years, we’re ready to meet that demand and help shape the future of our city.
Looking Ahead, Together
The trust, support and collaboration of our clients, partners and community members has made our work meaningful and impactful. As SHYFT’s architecture and design team embarks on this new chapter with SSOE, we invite you to connect with us, share your ideas and explore how we can build something greater together.
Together, we believe design is more than aesthetics. It’s about creating spaces that empower people, strengthen communities and inspire progress. We’re excited to continue our journey in Des Moines, advancing the mission and vision of SHYFT Collective Design while elevating every project through thoughtful, innovative design.
If you have questions about our expanded services, want to discuss a project or simply want to learn more about our vision for Des Moines, please reach out. We look forward to collaborating with you and making a lasting impact in the region.
Greater Des Moines (DSM) has one of the best business climates in the country. The region is nationally recognized for having a talented and educated workforce, a cost of doing business 13% below the national average, a low cost of living and an exceptional quality of life. In 2024, Business Facilities Magazine named it a top metro for best business climate.