Mike Bechtel

Partner, Architect
  Studio
Tel: 515.657.4712
Contact Mike
Architecture is a practice with fundamental risks which requires great responsibility to provide meaningful and progressive environments in which our communities can thrive. I believe successful design is the physical manifestation of ephemeral ideas, hopes, and dreams while simultaneously addressing fears and concerns. Building on this belief, my superpower is the relentless pursuit of singular design solutions that resolve a multitude of issues. My greatest pleasure in the realization of our built environment is creating the physical form for our clients to be inspired, do their business, inhabit, and enjoy life.
Credentials
  • American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Expertise
Giving Back
  • Iowa Architect Magazine
  • The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society “Light The Night”
  • Children’s Garden Parental Cooperative
Interests
  • Furniture design and fabrication
  • Logging and milling
  • Soccer
Fun Fact
  • I have a profound fascination with designing and fabricating small tables.
Project Portfolio
Kinship Brewing Company
Waukee, IA
With a strong desire to create a community hub, Zach and Ann Dobeck reached out to INVISION to collaborate on their goal. Early in design, it became clear that this new construction brewery would achieve multiple ​“firsts.” …
City Square Lofts & Staybridge Suites Hotel
Des Moines, IA
In Des Moines‘ historic East Village, the owners of both City Square Lofts and Staybridge Suites Hotel wanted a mixed-use residential building that could increase living options in this unique and popular neighborhood. …
St. Paul Hyatt Place Custom House
St. Paul, MN
INVISION collaborated with local firm BKV Architecture on this downtown St. Paul development, which marked several firsts for the Hyatt brand. It was one of the first Hyatts in a historic building and one of the first to …
Des Moines Area Community College Student Services
Ankeny, IA
To enhance the identity of their student services on campus and provide an improved experience for recruiting and registering students, the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) project included 26,400sf of interior …
Private Residence
Whitefish, MT
INVISION worked with a dynamic and active Iowa family to develop the concept and design for their future home in Montana. The clients’ goal was a ​“mountain modern” residence that broke the mold of the rustic mountain homes …
Hotel Fort Des Moines
Des Moines, IA
Hawkeye Hotels sought INVISION’s expertise to renovate the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines into a full-service Curio Collection by Hilton boutique hotel. The original hotel, which opened to the public in 1919 as the largest …
Insights Portfolio
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Why not tear it down and build new?
The artform of Conceptual Design
INVISION Expands Leadership by Announcing New Partners
INVISION promotes two new partners in an expansion of the firm’s leadership team.
The next generation of residential housing: Bringing new ideas to life
The next generation of housing: Makerspace communities
The next generation of housing: Cross-generational
The changing workplace