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.

Happy 30th Anniversary, Lynn Neal! Join us in congratulating Lynn on reaching this incredible milestone! We're so lucky to have you, Lynn!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #itstartshere

Happy 15th Anniversary, Eric Helminiak! We're so lucky to have you on our #origincrew! Join us in congratulating Eric on reaching this incredible milestone!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #itstartshere


We're excited to welcome Kelly Jo Fassbinder to Origin Design! As our new Marketing Manager, we can't wait to see all that she will achieve in this role!

Welcome to the #origincrew, Kelly Jo!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #yourfuturestartshere

#WorkingOnTomorrow

Origin Design has teamed up with the City of Davenport to enhance three of its parks! Our civil engineers collaborated with the City to create multi-sports courts at Cork Hill Park, Herington Park, and Van Buren Park!

Discover more about the project here: https://origindesign.com/projects/davenport-multi-sports-courts

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #parksandrecreation


#WorkingOnTomorrow

Looking for a great spot to enjoy the outdoors this summer? Check out our project, Off Shore Hotel & Resort , located in Bellevue, IA! Our team has helped the resort expand its campground by adding 114 new sites along with essential utilities and connecting roadways!

Find out more about this exciting project here: https://origindesign.com/projects/off-shore-resort

#CreatingABetterTomorrow #OriginDesign #LandDevelopment #Municipal #LandSurvey


#workingontommorow

Check out the results from our collaboration with the City of Dyersville and Dyersville Economic Development Corporation on the expansion of the Dyersville 20 West Industrial Center! This extension created four new lots zoned for both commercial and industrial use!

Learn more about the project here: https://origindesign.com/projects/dyersville-20-west-industrial-center-phase-3

#creatingabettertommorrow #origindesign #landdevelopment #municipal #transportation #waterresources


Welcome our Summer 2025 Interns!

Luke Althaus, Ryan Ruppel and Connor Richmond recently joined our #origincrew!

We are excited to have these three talented interns joining us this summer! Working across three departments, these interns are sure to make an impact!

#creatingabettertomorrow #yourfuturestartshere #internships #origindesign!


#workingontomorrow

Last week some of our engineers attended the Dubuque Gate & Pump Station Flood Mitigation Project Kick-Off! We're excited to be partnering with the City of Dubuque, Iowa, Portzen Construction and more on this phase of the Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project.

The new facility will include a new flood gate, four new 100,000 gallon per minute pumps (double the capacity of the existing facility), new electrical service, and the installation of back-up generators.

#creatingabettertomorrow #origindesign #beebranch

Join us in welcoming Amelia Retzlaff to Origin Design! Amelia recently joined our Architectural Team & we're so excited to see what she accomplishes in this role!

Welcome to the #origincrew, Amelia!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #yourfuturestartshere

#workingontomorrow

Check out these completed photos of this bridge replacement project on Cosgrove Road over N. Branch Old Man's Creek in Johnson County, Iowa.

Learn more about the project and see more photos here: https://origindesign.com/projects/cosgrove-road-over-n-branch-old-mans-creek

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #transportation #bridges

Join us in welcoming Sophia Adams, EIT to Origin Design! Sophia recently joined our Dubuque Office as a Structural Engineering Designer!

Welcome to the #origincrew, Sophia! We're excited to see what you accomplish in your new role!

#creatingabettertomorrow #origindesign #yourfuturestartshere

We're excited to share that Nathaniel Nelson is officially part of our Quad Cities office as an Architectural Associate! After his internship this Spring, he's now a full-time team member.

Welcome to the #origincrew, Nate!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #yourfuturestartshere

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