Located in Cedar Rapids, IA, started shaping communities in 2019.
Mission
DESIGN FOR MORE
We design for more solutions that improve the fabric of the cities and communities we live and work in. For more time to develop relationships built on love and care, connecting people. For more spaces and environments that support the “what if” memories rather than the “we wish we had” times. For more conversations that ask the tough questions, address critical issues, and find lasting creative solutions. We design for more people to believe, regardless of the project, allowance, or location, that they deserve excellence.
Vision
ELEVATE THE EVERYDAY
Through our skill set of architecture and design, we have been called to design solutions that enhance the human spirit and life, daily; fostering people to feel more alive and elevated within
the spaces we have designed through everyday interaction and movement through architecture and design.
Values
Authentic Relationships
Creating lasting relationships through love and care, with people we are blessed to work with, inside + outside of our Studio.
Meaningful Involvement
Intentionally serving our communities and neighbors through our teams personal passions and interests beyond architecture and design. We firmly believe that it is our responsibility to contribute to the growth of our communities with our time, talent, and treasure.
Growth in our Craft
Deliberate focus in our studio’s processes and systems to further our opportunities for progressive solutions. Continuous learning and research allows for us to deliver elevated architecture and design.
OUR TEAM
Cheri P - Integrator
Key Data:
Top Ice Cream Flavor:
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Top Reads:
Five Love Languages + Bridgerton Series
Top 5 Strengths:
Empathy
Achiever
Responsibility
Harmony
Discipline
Born and raised in Illinois (Freeport Pretzel – alum!) – Cheri graduated from Valparaiso University with a Degree in Accounting. Since graduation – Cheri has spent her working career in the public & private accounting sector as an auditor, consultant and most recently a finance manager at a non-profit before Form Function. Cheri is married to her husband Scott and has three daughters and two dogs. In her free time Cheri loves to spend time with her family at her children’s activities, Iowa women’s basketball games, decorating + shopping.
Cheri’s favorite part of Form Function is it value to form meaningful relationships not only within the studio team but also with all of our clients. She appreciates its purpose and commitment to give back to the community through involvement of our time, talent, and treasure within our favorite missions.
Fun fact about Cheri: She has moved 5 times during her marriage and all three of her children have been born in different states.
Kelsi P - Studio Manager + Solutions Designer II
Key Data:
Top Ice Cream Flavor:
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
Tops Reads:
Verity + Then She Was Gone + How to Know a Person
Top 5 Strengths:
Empathy
Discipline
Developer
Responsibility
Consistency
Kelsi’s roots began in small town Bennett, IA where she would spend hours drawing or rearranging her room. She quickly fell in love with design and graduated with her AAS in Interior Design from Kirkwood Community College in May 2020. Kelsi has a passion to create designs that are functional and beautiful for people from all walks of life. She loves to spend her free time with her family, husband, Matt, and two dogs, Phoebe + Posie!
Kelsi loves that Form Function provides a family based atmosphere where everyone on the team works diligently towards one goal; creating quality design.
Fun fact about Kelsi: She’s a 40s, 50s + 60s music feen; in reality Etta James takes the cake in any genre. She is an old soul in a young body.
Kristian I - Solutions Designer
Key Data:
Top Ice Cream Flavor:
Mint Chocolate Chip
Top Reads:
The Giver + 1984 + Frankenstein
Top 5 Strengths:
Relator
Context
Learner
Empathy
Developer
Born in Manchester, England, Kristian moved and grew-up in a small town in Indiana at 5 years old. Whether it be through drawing, assembling Legos, or playing design-related games, he unknowingly was creating through the lens of architecture. Kristian graduated from Ball State University in 2024 with a bachelor’s in architecture and a minor in Social and Environmental Justice. Accessibility is at the core of Kristian’s design philosophy, having been born with Dwarfism, a physical disability that has allowed him to engage with the built environment in unique ways and experience the importance of accessibility first-hand!
Kristian is thankful for Form Function’s values-based environment that encourages us to constantly develop our skills and celebrate each other’s accomplishments both in and outside of the studio!
Fun fact about Kristian: He is constantly growing his vinyl record collection with bands like Led Zeppelin, Journey, and Sammy Rae and The Friends!
Paul D, AIA, LEED AP BD+C - Vision + Design Director
Key Data:
Top Ice Cream Flavor:
Raspberry Rhapsody
Top Reads:
Book of Matthew + Start with Why + Grit
Top 5 Strengths:
Strategic
Futuristic
Belief
Competition
Learner
From the suburbs of Chicago, Paul was able to gain an early passion for architecture and design growing up in a construction family. Upon graduation, Paul went east to Ball State University where he was able to learn under the team at ONE 10 STUDIO for 3.5 years. In 2015, Paul headed west over to Iowa to continue his learning in Cedar Rapids at OPN Architects where his heart grew for the city and the opportunity one could have in Iowa. He immersed himself in architectural and design opportunities through his job, volunteer opportunities, and entrepreneurial opportunities in ownership of businesses like Gianna’s Italian Beef. Paul is a girls volleyball coach at Adrenaline Volleyball Academy and also serves on the Economic Alliance Events Committee board and Economic Development Council. The restoration of his faith has created an avenue in which he has chosen to live out fully.
Paul’s favorite thing about Form Function the diversity of projects to work on, the team, and its Vision, taking intentional strides to live out.
Fun facts about Paul: While in college he took two big trips. One to backpack 32 countries and another trip to visit four. He has been awarded a GOLD [Graduate of the Last Decade - ‘22] by his Alma Mater and was a recipient of the Corridor Business Journal 40 Under 40 [‘24]
Ryan A, LEED GA - Solutions Designer
Key Data:
Top Ice Cream Flavor:
Undecided! Too many to choose from :D
Top Reads:
Renegades + Trials of Apollo + All the Bright Places
Top 5 Strengths:
Deliberative
Analytical
Learner
Empathy
Responsibility
Born and raised in Cedar Rapids. She grew up loving to solve puzzles and spatial problems (Tetris fan) and this, paired with a love for buildings, led her to study interior architecture and design through Kirkwood Community College. While in school she had a high interest in building science and sustainable practices which lead to her earning her LEED Green Associate. Ryan Joined the FFS team as an intern while finishing school and joined the team post grad.
Favorite part of Form Function is the environment that fosters learning and growth which allows our projects and team to have continuous improvement and learning. Our focus on creating spaces for someone’s every day that are intentional and lasting.
Fun fact about Ryan: She spent 3 weeks studying abroad in Italy with a focus on architecture and design. They visited 19 cities and 3 countries while there!
Marlow D, - Director of First Impressions, Security
Key Data:
Top Ice Cream Flavor:
Organic Vanilla Bean + Cookie Dough
Top Reads:
Art of Racing in the Rain, The Back of Eyelids
Top 5 Strengths:
Woo
Communication
Positivity
Restorative
Achiever
Marlow has been a key contributor to our office first impression. She can often be found at the front door, contemplating all the wonderful solutions that Architecture + Design can bring. When she isn’t at the front door waiting to interact with Form Functions clients, vendors, or friends, you can find her “studying” in her bed, chasing after one of her many “stuffed” friends or balls, or sitting patiently in the kitchen for her morning, afternoon, well, really anytime is a great time, snack!
Favorite part of Form Function is the fact I get to come to work with my Dad and get pet by all the wonderful teammates we have. The work we do is fun, but I wish I could get a cool doghouse designed.
Fun facts about Marlow: She is a Pekingese Beagle Mix. I love welcoming all types of people into our studio. I have only sneezed on our clients’ feet, once, maybe twice, so far. I also love hanging out in our courtyard chasing after the birds + squirrels. I will eat any treat you give me, even if Dad says no!