Martin Gardner Architecture traces our roots back to 1985, when Dave Martin, who had previously graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 1974, sought to create an architecture firm with his colleague Chuck Bruggeman.

Two years later, however, Dave and Chuck decided to part ways with Martin and Bruggeman. Still inspired to continue his work in the field of architecture, Dave went on to create Martin Design Consultants, which operated out of a small brick building next to the current day Tomaso's Pizza in Uptown Marion, Iowa. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the firm slowly built up its client base and started to create its own identity. A majority of the early work that took place at Martin Design Consultants included a lot of private work with some public and volunteer work, but not to the extent that we see with the firm today.

Historic Downtown Marion, Iowa

As work continued throughout the early 1990s, Dave Martin realized that a new, larger space was needed to help hold the growing firm. In 1992, Dave saw an opportunity and with the help of some of his collegues, they purchased the historic First National Bank building located a couple blocks down the road from their current location in Uptown Marion. The firm still currently resides in the upper level of the building today. After the official move, Martin Design Consultants officially changed its name to Martin Design P.C.

Strawberry Point Office - The Barn

Throughout the latter half of 1990s, Martin Design P.C. continued its work and finding its own identity in the center of the growing Uptown Marion. In 2006, Dave's son, Kyle, officially joined the staff at Martin Design after interning the two previous summers. Kyle followed in his father's footsteps and had graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor's in architecture the same year.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Martin Design worked closely with another firm, Gardner Architecture P.L.C, located in Strawberry Point, Iowa. Owned by Tom Gardner, an old classmate of Dave's from ISU, and founded in 1983. The two firms assisted each other on a variety of design project over the year. Gardner Architecture, a small firm, originally operated out of an old grain storage building on an acarage in Strawberry point before later relocating to a refurbished barn owned by Gardner.

Sadly, in 2009, Tom Gardner passed away due to a sudden illness. In 2010, Martin Design acquired all assets and employees from Gardner Architecture and initial co-branding was created.

Martin Design and Gardner Architecture Co-Branding

Martin Gardner Architecture 2013 Logo

It wasn't until 2013 until Martin Design and Gardner Architecture truly became one company with the official name change to Martin Gardner Architecture. The 2013 logo (seen right) was also adopted at this time. With the new name and logo adopted, work continued for MGA throughout the mid-2010s with the main headquarters in Marion and the barn office in Strawberry Point continuing to operate.

Three years later, in 2016, MGA adopted its first official mission statement since the merger that solidified our place as community architects.

"We are community members who love problem solving through great design."

This mission statement along with our three core values of Trust, Courage, and Do Important Things helped set the foundation of MGA's work as community builders and leaders.

Martin Gardner Architecture - Oelwein Office located in the Historic Mealy Hotel

After over 40 years in the architecture field and working for communities throughout Iowa, Dave Martin retired and sold the company to his son Kyle in 2017 who then became the President and Principal Architect of the firm.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Martin Gardner Architecture then began the process of moving out of the Strawberry Point location and landed a new secondary home in a business suite located on the lower level of the historic Mealy hotel in Oelwein, Iowa.

MGA 2026 Streetscape Logo in White

As Martin Gardner Architecture grew over the years and continued to work as community focused architects the need for updating branding as well as a new mission statement started to arise. In 2024, the MGA leadership team at the time worked together to create a new mission statement that better reflected where MGA had come and where MGA planned to go in the future with the following mission statement being adopted.

"Through great design, we help your community re-imagine what's possible!"

Throughout 2025 with this new mission statement in mind, the MGA team started to work on refreshing the logo that had been in place since 2013. With the community focused themes present in both the mission statement and our core values, the MGA team moved forward with the reveal of the new Streetscape logo design in April of 2026. To view the full background of the Streetscape logo click here.

Today the MGA team continues to focus itself on transforming and uplifting communities through the vast variety of work we tackle. Whether it's renovating a worship space or designing a brand-new elementary school, MGA is focused on re-imaging communities!