John P. Gabrielson

Regional Studio Director – Iowa City

Lifelong Iowan and Iowa State University grad John Gabrielson, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP leads Legat’s Iowa City studio. His portfolio includes corporate, mixed-use, preK-12, and higher education facilities. Specific projects range from roofing repairs and space needs studies to a 25-story mixed-use facility and a 142,000-square-foot university building.

Whether the design process is something the client does regularly or it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, John makes the experience productive, stimulating, and fun. Building owners have repeatedly called on John to create spacious, light-filled settings that attract clientele and boost user performance.

John also helps clients explore recycled materials and energy- and water-efficient strategies—before joining Legat, he played a key role in the first LEED Platinum-certified facility on University of Iowa’s main campus.

Among the nonprofits that John has volunteered for and donated to are Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (youth mentorship program), and the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition. John, his wife, and their five children have also volunteered for their local animal shelter by fostering kittens until they can be placed in forever homes.