Cedar Rapids Announces Winners of ADU Design Competition

Cedar Rapids Announces Winners of ADU Design Competition

by

Cedar Rapids has selected six winning designs for its Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design Competition to help address the housing needs of its aging population.

The winners were announced by the City of Cedar Rapids following a design showcase held on Tuesday, November 10, according to cedar-rapids.org. The competition, which was funded by an AARP Community Challenge grant, sought to identify detached ADU models that support “aging in place” for the city’s residents.

With an estimated 35% of the local population aged 50 or older, the initiative aims to create more inclusive, age-friendly housing options across various neighborhood types.

The selection process drew 19 submissions by the October 9 deadline. A panel of judges with specialized expertise in architecture, zoning, real estate, and downsizing evaluated the entries to identify designs suitable for different residential settings. While no student entries were submitted, the competition successfully engaged professional firms to propose functional living solutions.

The competition recognized excellence in two primary categories—Urban Context and Suburban Context—alongside a public favorite. Winners in the Urban and Suburban categories, as well as the People’s Choice winner, will each receive a $3,600 stipend, while Honorable Mention recipients will receive $1,500.

Award Category Design Name Firm/Agency Designer(s)
Urban Context The Floret Neumann Monson Architects Andy Youngstrom, Mircea Nastase, and Nick Lindsley
Urban Context Right Size the Downsize C-Wise Design and Consulting LLC Martha Norbeck
Suburban Context Square One ADU Ross Land Studio Natalie Ross
Suburban Context The Sidecar House Lloyd Design Group Maddy Reecy, Laura Devine, and Mark Masinelli
People’s Choice Modular Suburban ADU Lutz Rendering Service Anton Lutz
Honorable Mention Core ADU (Urban) Actual Architecture Company Jeffrey L. Day, Ashley Byars, Ethan Boerner, and Dennis Krymuza
Honorable Mention Garden Edge (Suburban) Lasting Ground Timothy Sullivan

Accessory Dwelling Units—which can be internal, attached, or detached structures like backyard cottages—have become a central focus for local and state policymakers. Cedar Rapids first permitted these units in 2019 to increase housing affordability and variety. Since then, the city has amended its requirements to allow for larger sizes, the ability to have two ADUs per lot, and the removal of the need for conditional use permits.

Iowa updated its stance on these residential structures in 2025. Under current Iowa law, homeowners are permitted by right to add ADUs to their properties without seeking special approval from local planning or zoning boards. Local governments are also prohibited from imposing requirements on ADUs that are stricter than those applied to the primary single-family residence on the same lot.

Critics of rapid ADU expansion often point to potential changes in neighborhood character or increased density as points of concern. However, the city’s strategy leans on the idea that these units can boost the local housing supply and support intergenerational living without fundamentally altering the existing aesthetic of established neighborhoods.

The City of Cedar Rapids intends to continue working with the winning designers to develop these concepts into versions suitable for permit review or licensing. This collaboration is intended to move the winning designs toward real-world implementation within the community.

The project was made possible through the 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant, a program designed to facilitate tangible improvements that foster long-term community change. More information regarding these housing options is available through the AARP Livable Communities initiative and the official City of Cedar Rapids webpage.

Keep reading

Read next