Combine thrives on complex problem-solving.
Combine’s lean format enables us to operate with more efficiency, practice with greater agility, and pursue more productive relationships. We loosen the distinction between client and collaborator. Our mission is to guide impactful design and realize each project’s potential. We listen closely, test vigorously, and boil decision-points down to clearly legible terms. Internal rigor smooths the process for the rest of the team. Discussions, workshops, and design reviews are accessible and productive. We find that cool heads, comfortable competence, and (appropriately dosed) humor foster a can-do attitude no matter how daunting the challenge.
Andrew Ballard
Principal | 2025 AIA Iowa Young Architect
I founded Combine in 2020 to focus on intensive, meaningful projects locally and nationally. I lead a team of impressive depth and shared purpose. It is a joy to apply my experience realizing high-end residences, crafting performance venues, developing food services, and planning flexible, landscape-oriented campus experiences. My education includes an A.B. in Architecture from Princeton University and an M.Arch from UC Berkeley. I am an Associate Professor of Practice at Iowa State. My career spans both coasts and extends across the pond. I grew up in North Carolina and feel quite at home now in the Midwest. Sure do like to travel, though.
Daniel Leira
Design, Workflow Integration
Daniel's family roots are in Spain, where he was born and to which he returned for summer apprenticeships during college. At Iowa State, Daniel guided fellow students as a peer mentor and contributed to pedagogical research and symposia. He studied abroad at the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands. To Daniel, powerful design responds concisely to complex conditions. He sees architecture’s highest value as enriching the public realm and enhancing community experiences. His professional-grade photography skills have proven to be a strong bonus. We feel a strong incentive to do good work so he can point his lens at it.
Huda Sait
Design, Material Systems
Huda brings a nimble intelligence to Studio Combine. She was born in New Jersey, moved to Iowa at four, shifted over to Charlotte, North Carolina at nine, relocated to Bangalore, India at fifteen; and then headed back to Iowa for college. At Iowa State, Huda received the Journey Award and the Flack Student Assistant Award while being involved in NOMAS, the University Print Society, and Iowa Women in Architecture.
Open Position
Design, BIM Management
Our team currently has an open full-time position. Combine is looking for designers with 10-15 years of experience. This position requires a balance of driven inquiry and disciplined execution. We need someone who can meet client expectations, integrate others' efforts, coordinate BIM, maintain standards, manage a drawing set, develop plan/section/elevation sheets, craft details, balance finish/door/window schedules, prepare and evaluate design options, identify and track project tasks, research assembly systems, query potential vendors/suppliers/reps, and bird-dog unresolved items. This is an opportunity to pursue agency bridging the gap between conceptual design and project realization. Please contact us through the 'Inquiries' tab and include 'Hiring' in the subject line. During the process we'll be interested to see a cover letter, resume, work samples, and references.
Inigo Montoya, AKC
Technical Support(?)
Inigo is an unpaid intern landshark and brings with him no experience whatsoever. His skillset is somewhat limited. He likes to go in-out-in-out-in-out and in his spare time is studying how not to bark at valued clients he has previously approved through treats. Leads the office in sitting, shaking, and high-fives. Customer service is second to none...unless those customers are cat people, which honestly can’t be helped. His zoomies are quite fast. He is quite cuddly. His favorite color is food. Sadie, who guards the bike shop across the lane, sometimes steals his bones...but she's cute and wiggly, so we let her. Sometimes.
H.A. White General Store and House
Headquarters
Our HQ graces the National Register of Historic Places. She deeply informs our thoughts on time, place, mutability, continuity, and shared context. The store’s central portion was completed in 1876. At least three additions were built in subsequent years to support North Liberty’s only commercial enterprise 1876-1889. H.A. White served as the local postmaster here 1877-1888 and Dr. James Polk Von Stein boarded and had his office 1879-1891. The City of North Liberty has expressed interest in restoring our neighborhood as a walkable, medium-density core. Studio Combine and our neighbors are very much in tune with this goal. Looking forward to what we can create together.