About us

FEH Design is a community of architects, engineers, interior and graphic designers with a passion to create. Every member brings unique talents to the table, and together we are creating vibrant communities through collaborative design. 

decades of service + experience

In 1898, Andrew H. Foss, a 22-year-old immigrant began designing and building railroad depots throughout southeastern Minnesota. From that start, FEH Design has grown into one of the region’s longest-operating architecture firms.

We thrive on the energy of the variety of projects and clients that we serve. Every project is an opportunity to learn more about an organization, a process, or a community… and each design is an opportunity to test ideas, expand our thinking, and positively impact that organization, process, or community. This is what continues to drive us.

Our Long History

  • 1898 Andrew H. Foss creates Foss Company and begins designing railroad depots.
  • 1908 Foss Company completes Glenwood Public Library, our first Carnegie Library!
  • 1910 Foss Company completes our first school designs in Wendell and Ada, Minnesota.
  • 1930'sDuring the Depression years, Foss Company completes many government projects for the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
  • 1942Firm leader Magnus O. Foss temporarily closes shop to serve as a World War II "Seabee" officer with the U.S. Navy construction battalion.
  • 1958 The firm expands into the Iowa market by opening the Sioux City Office.
  • 1960’s During the postwar baby boom, Foss Company becomes a pioneer in energy efficient designs and a leader in school planning with open classrooms.
  • 1974The Sioux City Office begins doing business independently as Foss, Engelstad & Heil, Inc. Primary work includes schools and National Guard projects.
  • 1982Foss, Engelstad & Heil, Inc. and Payne, Champion, Bernabe, Inc. merge to create FEH Associates Inc. The Des Moines Office opens.
  • 1994Long-time administrative assistant and cheerleader, Betty Van Nyhuis loses her battle with cancer. Our firm creates the Betty Award for outstanding employees in her honor.
  • 2001, 2003Construction concludes on the $10 million dollar historic Orpheum Theatre restoration and the $53 million dollar Tyson Events Center.
  • 2011FEH Associates Inc. opens offices in Dubuque, Iowa and our first Wisconsin office.
  • 2015FEH Associates Inc. rebrands as FEH Design as our team and services are growing.
  • In Recent Years Awards include: 2020: Excellence in Energy Efficient Design – Dubuque Co. Roads Shop, 2021: AIA Emerging Professional Friendly Firm, 2022: Learning by Design Outstanding Project – Okoboji Middle School. Our firm establishes the Ron Speckmann Memorial Scholarship at Iowa State University. 2023: Learning by Design Outstanding Project – Hunt Elementary School. We are proud of our dedicated team that continues to build our brand.

OUR CULTURE

Our long history shows that we have created a firm that employs and fosters exceptional talent. FEH has created an environment that allows professionals to grow fully and quickly, become leaders in the firm, and be promoted for their hard work.

Firm culture is a very important part of today’s workplaces. At FEH, Cruise Directors are appointed to facilitate company outings, in-office shenanigans, and to spearhead the overall office positivity and togetherness. Our teammates are also encouraged to become active members of professional and community organizations of their choice.

Think you are a good fit for our FEH culture? Check out our careers page and tell us why!

Milwaukee team collaborates
Teamwork high five
Hues and Clues Game
Arcade
Des Moines team collaborates
Sioux City office open house
Iowa Cubs game
Art Center Fundraiser
Meals from the Heartland
Construction Site
School Groundbreaking

Teammate Testimonials

  • FEH Design has really helped me become the designer I am today.  I have never been limited in what I wanted to learn or explore.  From the day I started, I have been involved in all aspects of the project.  I love meeting a client in schematics, helping them all the way through the drawings and construction, and finally seeing how much they love the project in the end.  FEH has given me so many new relationships with owners, product reps, suppliers, and contractors that I don’t think I would have gotten at other places.  FEH Design is a very welcoming community. 

    Brittney Ruba
    Brittney Ruba, AIA
    Principal, Architect
  • FEH is great at giving all their employees job site and hands-on experience from planning through construction. They also offer many fun activities that everyone can get involved in.  

    Brady-Daniel
    Brady Daniel, Assoc. AIA
    Intern Architect
  • At FEH, everyone strives to create meaningful spaces for their clients, and young professionals are involved throughout the whole process, providing us with plenty of hands-on experience. The fun office activities, flexibility, and opportunity for growth are icing on the cake.

    Lexa-Skov
    Lexa Almond, EIT
    Structural Designer
  • FEH provides an environment for not only teammates to thrive, but to also feel like family. They have created a sense of community in the office, one that supports both professional and personal growth and places company culture as one of its highest priorities – going as far to even hire an office Director of Goodness (D.O.G.).

    Cory-W-Sharp
    Cory Sharp, AIA
    Principal, Architect