Marion Architecture Firm Gets New Name and Adds 2 Licensed Architects

One is working on plans for houses in a Cedar Rapids flood zone. The other knew she wanted to be an architect in sixth grade. Both recently became licensed architects in the State of Iowa, practicing in Marion.

The former, Kyle Martin, and the latter, Sarah Coleman, work at Martin Gardner Architecture, a firm that just underwent a name change. The locations previously known as Martin Design P.C. and Gardner Architecture combined to reflect a merger of the two firms, which happened three years ago. The “Gardner” location of the firm is located in Strawberry Point, IA.

Kyle Martin, 29, and Coleman, 35, gathered with their co-workers at an event open to the public at Dublin City Pub last week to celebrate the name change and the new licenses. Cake, beer, and dinner were served.

Dave Martin, president of Martin Gardner Architecture and father of Kyle Martin, said he hopes the name change will clarify and reflect the fact that both locations are part of one firm.

Coleman, a Cedar Rapids native who started at Martin Architecture in 1998, was eager to earn her license. She studied architecture at Iowa State University before beginning an internship with the firm.

Once an architect is licensed, he or she is able to approve building designs, she said. That person is responsible for whether the plans are safe and up to industry standards. For this reason, Coleman wanted to make sure she was ready to take seven exams required to earn the license.

“These exams are just gut-wrenching things,” she said.

But her competitive spirit came out when her co-worker, Kyle Martin, decided to take his exams.

Kyle Martin said he approached the long journey to becoming an architect one step at a time.

“It’s all about biting it off as you go,” he said.

Initially, Martin wasn’t interested in following in his father’s footsteps and pursuing an architecture career. But he changed his mind when he realized his love for art and talent in math and science blended well in architecture.

In addition to his work in the flood plain, Martin recently played a key role in designing a maintenance facility for Thomas Park. As a Marion resident and native who graduated from Marion High School, Martin said he lives near the facility he designed.

Martin Gardner Architecture also designed First Presbyterian Church of Marion and the Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative, David Martin said.