Title: Founder & CEO
Certifications: LEED AP, CGR
Summary: Entrepreneur, artist, educator, community leader, environmental and sustainability advocate Chaden Halfhill is owner and chief visionary of Silent Rivers Design+Build. Chaden has grown Silent Rivers over the past 25 years to reflect a passion for conscientious design, building excellence and healthy relationships with the natural environment as well as our local community. Always motivated by opportunity to make things better creatively, Chaden is first a fine artist and sculptor.
Affiliations:- Wesleyan University, art degree in sculpture
- Columbia University, architecture studies
- Center on Sustainable Communities (COSC); Co-Founder, past Board President, Instructor
- Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines, Board of Directors
- Des Moines Remodeler’s Council, Executive Committee, Former Chair
- Iowa Arts Council; Artist, Educator
- Metro Arts Alliance; Artist, Educator, Board Member, Current Chairperson
- pArtners Unlimited; Artist, Educator, Board President
- Clive's Public Art Commission, Founding Member
- Indigo Dawn LLC, Founder & President
- Green & Main, Founder
- Verified Green; Associate
Experience: After completing his formal art education, Chaden built a nationally-recognized portfolio of works in sculpture, design and photography that explored the conflict between structural design and the natural environment. Using that foundation, he engaged design+build as an informed way to develop vibrant and balanced living environments. In 1993, he founded Silent Rivers Design+Build. Chaden’s vision inspires the Silent Rivers Design+Build team to incorporate these ideals into every project. Focused on the power of collaboration, Chaden encourages Silent Rivers to be an authentic cooperative experience for his team and his clients. The Silent Rivers team upholds a quality and level of continuing education that surpasses industry standards and is known for quality craftsmanship and providing artistic solutions for every client.
In 2017, Chaden was awarded the G. David Hurd Innovator of the Arts award by the Des Moines Arts Festival. He is shown here with Trudy Holman Hurd, wife of the late G. David Hurd.
If you have the desire to do something great, that’s what will come out of it. The people who have joined Silent Rivers joined me because they want to put their heart and soul into creating unique and beautiful spaces and improving our client’s lives. That's why we are here.”
More About Chaden Halfhill: As a community leader, educator, and entrepreneur, Chaden is committed to sustainability in the built environment. He co-founded the Center on Sustainable Communities and helped guide its growth into a trusted educational resource that supports statewide promotional and networking regarding sustainable building practices. Chaden also established Indigo Dawn LLC, a green development firm dedicated to urban infill and rehabilitation of existing buildings. Chaden continues to enjoy creating art and working with design+build clients while engaging in broad policy discussions and community engagement.