MidAmerican recognizes two projects for excellence in energy-efficient design

Award-winning designs are expected to use at least 50% less energy than code-compliant baseline designs

DES MOINES, Iowa (Oct. 3, 2026) - A new Des Moines fire station and a mixed-use development in Cumming are showing how smart design can cut a building's energy use by more than half. MidAmerican Energy has named the two projects recipients of its 2026 Excellence in Energy Efficient Design Awards, which recognize exceptional energy-saving achievements in new construction and major renovations. Each award-winning design is expected to reduce annual energy use by at least 50% compared with a baseline design that meets applicable building codes:

• Des Moines Fire Station No. 4: The project, developed by the City of Des Moines with Substance Architecture and Design Engineers, is expected to use 53% less energy annually than the baseline design.
• Middlebrook Main Street Lofts, Cumming: The mixed-use development by Diligent Development, Simonson & Associates Architects and Brown Engineering is expected to use 51% less energy annually than the baseline design.

Projects considered for the 2026 awards were completed between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. MidAmerican annually selects two projects enrolled in the Commercial New Construction program that achieve the highest percentages of annual energy savings. The program provides commercial customers with free energy design assistance and financial incentives for new construction, additions and renovation projects that incorporate energy-efficient strategies. The Commercial New Construction program announced the recipients during the 2026 American Institute of Architects Iowa Convention held last week in Des Moines.