CORY W. SHARP

Cory is a sketch artist, a dog lover, an advocate for young professionals, a community high-fiver, and, if you think he can’t get any cooler… he’s also a drummer in a local band. Cory always brings an energetic and creative perspective to the design process and passion for his work and the community he gets to work in.

How did you decide on your career path?

Having a dad who’s an architect certainly helped shape my path to becoming one myself. But it was my interest in art and my love for drawing that made it easy for me to see myself as an architect and eventually turn that passion into a career.

What is your favorite part of the design process?

Collaborating with our clients at the beginning of the process to problem solve and ideate potential design solutions is my favorite part. Big, sweeping concepts that solve complicated problems at a basic level drives my passion for design.

How are you creating vibrant communities through design?

I enjoy engaging with the community in all aspects of my professional and personal life. I’m proud to be a leader in our office when it comes to design solutions, and that also drives my passion for working with community non-profits, boards and committees in my free time, as well. The best days of my career are when these two major parts of my life intersect.

What makes Des Moines a great place to live?

I chose Des Moines because of the high quality-of-life it provides, as well as the numerous opportunities available to me to be involved in the community outside of work. Becoming a leader in Des Moines and making a positive impact on the place I grew up was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

cory w. sharp named principal

February 2021: The board of directors of FEH Design promoted Cory W. Sharp, AIA from associate to principal.

Sharp, who joined FEH in 2012, is a licensed architect in the firm’s Des Moines office. As principal, Sharp’s role will expand to include leadership in business actions. He will continue to be a principal designer for the firm’s municipal and corporate work.

Sharp graduated from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa where he received a Bachelor of Architecture degree and Minor in Entrepreneurial Studies in 2012. After college, he was excited to join FEH Design immediately.

Sharp has been involved in many impactful projects in the Des Moines area including the design and construction of the Grand View University Student Center, Kemin Industries Worldwide Headquarters, Urbandale Fire Station No. 43, West Des Moines Public Services Center, and Pleasant Hill Public Safety Facilities.

Sharp has been a great supporter of young professionals in the region and he is a passionate community advocate for multi-modal transportation and outdoor recreational activities. He serves on several boards include the Great Outdoors Foundation and Emerging Leaders Collaborative, in addition to being enrolled in the Class of 2020-21 Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Community Leadership Program. He was voted to the Des Moines Business Record’s 2020 Class of Forty Under 40.

“There are people at FEH that have known me since I was born, so the office is like family to me,” said Sharp. “FEH provides an environment for young architects to thrive. 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.”

He is currently working on design projects for the Marshalltown Fisher Community Center, City of Pleasant Hill, South Des Moines Veterinary Center, and the City of Creston.

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