DLR Group opens first location in Texas

05/17/2016 | DLR Group

DLR Group opens first location in Texas

Global integrated design firm DLR Group has been eyeing the Lone Star state for over a decade. With active projects in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, San Antonio, and Tyler, the firm officially opened the doors to its first permanent Texas office on May 10, 2016. The location on the ground floor corner of 919 Milam in downtown Houston strategically supports two initiatives – to showcase the firm’s initiatives in workplace design, and serve as a community design hub for the creative industry. Houston architect Filo Castore, AIA, LEED AP, will lead operations in the office and oversee project delivery and business development.

DLR Group is celebrating its 50-year anniversary in 2016. The firm has 750 employee-owners in 21 U.S. offices and three international locations – Shanghai, Dubai, and Nairobi. 2015 revenue was $158 million, up 19% from 2014. World Architecture magazine ranks DLR Group #35 among all firms worldwide and Building Design + Construction ranks the firm #10 overall and #1 in K-12 school design. Core markets DLR Group will pursue in Texas include civic, education, hospitality, and workplace. The firm has already completed the TDECU Stadium and Guy V. Lewis Development Facility at the University of Houston and installed a renewable energy system at NRG Park, among other local projects. Other work underway includes HISD’s new North Forest High School, Austin Doubletree for Sage Hospitality, interior renovations for CA Technologies, and a new office for a confidential Fortune 500 financial services company.

“DLR Group has a strong roster of active clients across Texas and our integrated design teams are currently working with a variety of private and public sector clients,” said DLR Group CEO Griff Davenport, AIA. “We are excited to be on the ground and part of downtown Houston. Filo Castore is recognized as a sustainable design leader in the market and he is the right leader to launch DLR Group operations in Texas.”

The Houston office location in the LEED Gold 919 Milam building has storefront window walls on two sides, with a clear view to the surrounding sidewalks and Central Business District. Commissioned works by Houston graffiti artist Gonzo247 line the windows; work from new artists will be rotated quarterly. The open office has a community co-working space and fully stocked amenity lounge to encourage interaction with other creative professionals.

The vision DLR Group founders Irv Dana, Bill Larson, and Jim Roubal had for the firm in 1966 is carried through the practice today – design quality, fairness, opportunity for professional growth, and ownership. ARCHITECT magazine recognized the firm’s commitment to design excellence when it named DLR Group the #1 firm on its 2012 Top 50 Ranking of U.S. firms. DLR Group was also an initial signatory of the AIA 2030 Commitment, and in 2015 helped drive the development and signing of the China Accord. DLR Group is a 100 percent employee-owned firm with a commitment to share profits and deepen employee leadership at all levels.

About DLR Group
Founded as an architecture and engineering firm, DLR Group celebrates 50 years in 2016. DLR Group serves clients through integrated delivery of planning, architecture, engineering, interiors, and building optimization for new construction, renovation, and adaptive reuse. Core areas of design expertise include Civic, Courts, Detention, Energy Services, Higher Education, Healthcare, Hospitality, K-12 Education, Retail, Sports, and Workplace. Our promise is to elevate the human experience through design. This promise inspires sustainable design for a diverse group of public and private sector clients; local communities; and our planet. DLR Group fully supports the initiatives and goals of the 2030 Challenge, and is an initial signatory to the China Accord and the AIA 2030 Commitment. Visit dlrgroup.com and follow us at Twitter and LinkedIn.