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Genus Landscape Architects

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Des Moines, IA
Genus Landscape Architects

Genus is a Des Moines-based landscape architecture + urban design firm founded in 2005. WWW.GENUS-LA

03/20/2026

It was inspiring to watch Iowa-based artist in action, guiding Ottumwa community members through a hands-on clay tile workshop. These pieces will adorn the sensory wall at the future All Abilities Play Space along Ottumwa’s riverfront—featuring rich textures, colors, and tactile components designed to engage the senses and aid in sensory regulation, fine motor skills and therapeutic support.

03/11/2026

Construction is going vertical at Ottumwa’s Market Street Landing All Abilities Play Space. Over the past few weeks, crews have made progress on the accessible restroom building and custom form-liner walls. Exciting to see the space taking shape!

Project Partners:
Ottumwa Legacy Foundation
City of Ottumwa
Ottumwa First Resources Corp
Tenco Foundation, Inc.
Garden & Associates
Christner Contracting
Cremer Concrete

02/20/2026

Over the course of 5 months, students in the ACE Mentorship program collaborate with industry professionals on a hypothetical project—gaining hands-on experience and insight into the design, engineering and construction process. As an ACE mentor, Genus team member Luke Aunan has guided students through charrettes and sketching exercises to reimagine Water Works Park in Des Moines, IA. From food truck plazas and ice skating ribbons to native prairies and bioretention strategies, students are bringing creative and bold ideas!

02/12/2026

We’re accepting applications for Summer 2026 interns! We’re seeking talented and motivated design interns to join our Des Moines studio this summer. As an intern, you’ll be immersed in our collaborative workflow with opportunities to gain experience working on a variety of project types and scales + gain valuable hands-on field experience. To apply and learn more, please visit our website.

01/29/2026

We are excited to announce two new promotions at Genus!

Emily Siler - Associate
Since joining Genus in 2023, Emily has brought creativity, attention to detail, and passion to every collaboration. With a recent focus on play environments, environmental branding and cultural landscapes, her quiet leadership has become a source of stability and inspiration for both our studio and clients.

Dylan Jones - Senior Associate
A pivotal contributor to Genus work for nearly 12 years, Dylan’s focus on constructability and design excellence has shaped numerous impactful projects across Iowa. Moving forward, we are excited about his commitment to mentor our young talent and expand his leadership in landscape architecture.

Please join us in congratulating Emily and Dylan. We are proud of their many contributions to Genus and look forward to their continued leadership and creation of enduring landscapes across the Midwest!

Cover Photo Credit: Corey Gaffer Photography

12/24/2025

Wrapping up the year with gratitude for the many meaningful collaborations, partnerships, and projects that have made this year special. Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season and looking ahead to the year to come!

12/23/2025

Stopped by the shop to see progress on The Hull — a sculptural ecology viewing pod inspired by a +100 year-old walnut windbreak in Eddy Woods . Over 30,000 lbs of raw steel shape the vertical shell and integrated steel + wood bench. We reviewed weld mock-ups and seat details — continually impressed and appreciative of Ironklad Art’s craftsmanship, artistry, and care in every detail to bring this vision to life.

11/26/2025

Earlier this month, Genus team member Dylan Jones attended the USGBC Iowa annual meeting in Iowa City. This year’s theme – Building Resilience: Strategies for a Stronger Iowa – set the stage for conversations around green building strategies and resilience planning initiatives. The event included a tour of the Voxman Music Building, a LEED-Gold certified project on the University of Iowa campus, and showcased several other LEED certified projects across the state including two projects that Genus was involved with: the Des Moines Federal Courthouse and the Des Moines Greenhouse Facility, which both received LEED-Gold certification this year for LEED BD+C: New Construction (LEED v4).

Thank you to Neumann Monson Architects for hosting and providing the opportunity to gather with a diverse group of like-minded professionals committed to healthy, resilient, and sustainable design and thank you to our many collaborators and partners who helped realize these meaningful projects!

Des Moines Federal Courthouse Partners: , Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects, , .inc, LT Leon, , , USGSA,

Des Moines Greenhouse Facility Partners: , LT Leon, C-Wise Design & Consulting, ,

greenbuilding

11/20/2025

Genus recently joined the City of West Des Moines Engineering, and WHKS Engineering at the second community open house to present the final design for the 12th & Vine Regional Stormwater Detention Project.

Community feedback played a meaningful role in shaping the design, which includes two stormwater basins engineered to fill during heavy rain and release water gradually through a stepped rock channel –naturally filtering out sediments and pollutants before they move downstream. Together, the basins can hold the equivalent of eight Olympic-sized swimming pools of water. Additional design elements include the reuse of on-site salvaged boulders, amended soils, and enhanced habitat for native bird species.

We’re grateful for the collaboration that made this work possible and excited to help advance resilient stormwater solutions for the city.

10/24/2025

It’s not every week you get to celebrate two ribbon cuttings! Waukee’s newest parks, Spring Crest and Painted Woods West, are officially open. Watching these spaces come to life with kids playing and communities coming together is what it’s all about!

A special thank you to our incredible partners for their creativity, collaboration, and commitment to investing in unique and meaningful parks.

Concrete Connections, LLC

10/10/2025

Located within the serene and secluded Eddy Woods at the Brenton Arboretum, The Hull is a sculptural ecology viewing pod that offers visitors a unique opportunity to connect with both nature and history. Its weathering steel shell and undulating form evokes imagery of a walnut, paying homage to a 170-year-old walnut windbreak planted by the Brenton Family near their original homestead, settled in 1853. Perched on the hillside, The Hull invites visitors to immerse themselves in the arboretum’s rich history while providing a unique vantage point for observing the flora and fauna of the surrounding riparian woodlands and upland prairie.

We’re honored that The Hull received an IA ASLA Honor Award in the Design–Unbuilt category! Huge thanks to our collaborators , the Eddy Family, and for their support in shaping this vision. This project reflects the enduring legacy of the Brenton Arboretum – a legacy of environmental stewardship and planting seeds for the future. We’re excited to carry that vision forward and can’t wait to see The Hull come to life.

Address

520 42nd Street, Suite 400
Des Moines, IA
50312

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Website

http://www.genus-la.com/

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