Architectural Arts Inc., a custom mill working firm that has built or renovated the interiors of some of Central Iowa’s most important structures, is experiencing dramatic expansion as the local construction industry continues to grow.

Two years ago, the East Des Moines-based company’s 24,000 square foot shop held 40 workers. Today, Architectural Arts employs 60 workers in 40,000 square feet and has no plans to stop its growth. It has recently added a $140,000 machine that’s capable of carving wood, plastic or other materials into just about any shape that can be designed on a computer.

Though the closely held company doesn’t release financial figures, Ted Stuart, Architectural Arts’ president and chief executive, said revenue has doubled over the past two years and he expects growth to continue.

“The construction industry seems to have weathered the recent economic storm fairly well,” Stuart said. “We’ve had a pretty stable workload over the past four years.”

The growth comes as Central Iowa continues to experience a spurt of construction-related growth. Though demand for commercial office space has slowed, other large projects, including the Des Moines Public Library, the Science Center of Iowa, the John and Mary Pappajohn Center for Higher Education, the Iowa Events Center, continue.

The firm was founded in 1998 by Stuart and three former employees at Woodcraft Architectural Millwork, a unit of general contractor Taylor Ball, Jeff Stange, David Lueck and Jim Broich. At Architectural Arts, Stange serves as vice president of project management; Lueck is vice president of production; and Broich works as vice president of estimation.

Architectural Arts handled all of the custom woodwork involved with Valley West Mall’s recent $10 million interior renovation. As part of the project, the mall’s first since its 1975 opening, Valley West is trying to smarten its image as it prepares for its first true competitor in its lifetime: Jordan Creek Town Center.

Architectural Arts is also handling the interior woodwork at the new Scheels All Sports store at Jordan Creek, as well as other projects at the mall, which is scheduled to open in August.   As part of a partnership with HyVee Weitz Construction, the joint venture between the grocery store and pharmacy owner and the general contractor, Architectural Arts is handling new construction and renovation projects at dozens of grocery stores throughout the Midwest. Stuart said HyVee plans to open 10 new stores this year, and Architectural Arts is doing work in all of them.

Despite its schedule in Central Iowa, Architectural Arts is expanding beyond the state’s borders as customers take on projects outside of Iowa. For example, the company is helping build the interiors of a retirement community in Florida for Weitz. Co.

At the State Capitol Building, the company has moved beyond a project to refinish each of the legislator’s desks to working at replacing the wood in other public parts of the building. This includes “matching old thick doors and a lot of work with butternut and other unusual woods,” Stuart said.

Architectural Arts has also won a contract to produce displays for Maytag that will feature the Newton manufacturer’s washing machines and dryers in more than 1,000 outlets for Home Depot Inc. and Lowe’s Cos.  Other projects include Wells Fargo Financial’s downtown complex, the Pella Library, the Great American Building in Cedar Rapids, Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc.’s Carver building in Johnston, Color Converting LLC’s building and a renovation of the carriage house at Terrace Hill, the governor’s mansion. Architectural Arts is also working on the Omaha Convention Center Hotel and the Art Building at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

About 95 percent of Architectural Arts’ work is related to commercial projects, however the company does do some high-end woodwork in residential homes. It purchased a company called Dimensional Arts, which specializes in creating displays for museums and trade shows.

The purchase also helps extend Architectural Arts’ capabilities beyond wood to glass and metal. With it, Stuart said Architectural Arts would be better able to win business directly from customers, instead of relying on relationships with contractors.

“I am attempting to diversify the company, in case we ever do have a downturn,” Stuart said.