OUR HISTORY

Building on our past. Shaping tomorrow together.

Since 1982, Origin Design (formerly IIW) has built a reputation of delivering impactful, sustainable solutions. Our team has helped the clients and communities we work with thrive and grow. That won’t ever change.

On February 1, 1982, Denny Waugh and Carl Schoenhard, Jr. founded Origin Design, then known as IIW Associates P.C., a five-person land survey and civil/structural engineering consulting firm.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the company saw tremendous growth with a focus on expanding staff and the services offered to our clients, including the addition of municipal engineering, transportation, water resources, land development, architecture and field services.

Other milestones

  • 1999 Schoenhard retired and sold his controlling interest in the company to the employees.
  • 2010 A branch office in Davenport opened to better serve clients in the Quad Cities area.
  • 2018 Waugh retired, but serves as Technical Advisor on projects.
  • 2019 The company became 100% employee-owned.
  • 2021 IIW rebranded and changed its name to Origin Design and relocated its corporate headquarters to downtown Dubuque.

  • 2022 Origin Design marks its 40th year in business.

Today, Origin Design is a 100% employee-owned, full-service professional design firm with more than 75 employees.

We began with the idea that we could do things differently. Together.

Dennis Waugh
“I have a great deal of confidence in this next generation of employee owners, and I’m very enthused about their capabilities and dedication to the same mission as its founders. We do not want that to change.”

Dennis Waugh Co-Founder

Pat Ready
“The rebrand and change to Origin Design brings a fresh perspective and story that we can tell our friends, family and clients. I'm excited to share this story and weave it into the future success of our company.”

Pat Ready President & CEO

Follow our journey.

#workingontomorrow

Our structural engineers recently assisted JLG Architects with this middle school addition in Alexandria, MN. Learn more about the project here.

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow


Chris Huseman is celebrating 30 years at Origin Design! We're so lucky to have you on our #origincrew! Happy Anniversary, Chris!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #itstartshere

#workingontomorrow

We partnered with Logistics Park on the design and construction of a new tower at their East Dubuque operations. 3D scanning was utilized to create a point cloud model of the existing tower. 

Check out these completed photos of the project & learn more here: https://origindesign.com/.../logistics-park-conveyor...

Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

Today (& everyday), we celebrate the administrative professionals who keep Origin Design running smoothly. Your hard work and dedication are appreciated! We truly couldn't do what we do without you!

#AdministrativeProfessionalsDay #origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow

#workingontomorrow

Ever wondered what a storm water pumping station looks like while under construction? Check out these photos from the Maquoketa Storm Water System Improvements project.

Origin Design partnered with the City of Maquoketa and East Central Intergovernmental Association [ECIA] on this project which received funding from Public Assistance Grants from the US Economic Development Administration.

Learn more about the project here.

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow

Meet our Architecture team!

At Origin Design, we believe architecture and creative design extend beyond the building to capture the spirit of its surroundings, personality of its users and the needs of our clients.

Our architects work directly with our clients to design spaces that are visually exciting and creative, secure, efficient and innovative.

We're lucky to have this talented group of individuals on our #origincrew!

#architectureweek #creatingabettertomorrow #origindesign #itstartshere

#workingontomorrow

Check out these photos of the Smith Street Bridge over Bear Creek in Shellsburg, Iowa!

Our transportation team worked with the City of Shellsburg to help determine the best outcome for this historic bridge. The result being the addition of a new vehicular bridge downstream, while the existing bridge was rehabilitated into a pedestrian bridge.

Learn more about the project here.

#creatingabettertomorrow #origindesign #itstartshere

Happy 5th Anniversary, Mike McNeil! We're so lucky to have you on our #origincrew! Join us in congratulating Mike on reaching this milestone!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #itstartshere

#workingontomorrow

Check out these finished photos of the Business 151 project we completed in Platteville, Wisconsin. This 2.1-mile-long project was funded with HSIP funds to create a safer corridor of Business 151 from Staley Avenue to Insight Drive including the signalized intersection of Business 151 with State Highway 80/81.

Learn more about the project here.

#creatingabettertomorrow #origindesign #itstartshere

Happy Land Surveyors Week!

Our team of Professional Land Surveyors and Surveying Technical Specialist round out our Land Survey Team!

Land surveyors ensure precise property boundaries, prevent legal disputes, and provide critical data for safe, compliant construction. They navigate zoning laws, use advanced tech like GPS and drones for accuracy, and help promote sustainable development. Surveyors are essential to every successful project!

#LandSurveying #Surveyorsweek

#workingontomorrow

Origin Design's Land Survey team recently assisted with The Key Hotel site. We presented various options for modifying the parking lot, ultimately reconfiguring it for better flow in and out of the project site. An interim design was also created to support operations until full funding is secured for complete reconstruction.

Learn more about the project here. 

#creatingabettertomorrow #origindesign #surveyorsweek

Meet our Land Surveying Technicians: Jeff Winter, Chris Huseman, and Mark Nickolas! 

With over 90 years of combined experience, they help collect data for locating land, infrastructure, and property boundaries. They take measurements, record notes, and assist with marking land for construction using tools like GPS and total stations. The job also involves drafting maps, researching legal documents, laser scanning structures, and handling equipment while working outdoors in various weather conditions. They ensure accurate measurements for projects and support engineers and builders with reliable data.

#surveyorsweek #origindesign #workingontomorrow

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