GFF

One Community Church - Plano Campus // GFF’s Faith & Community Studio transformed One Community Church’s 8,000 sq ft building in Plano, TX, into a vibrant space for youth ministry. The new 27,500 sq ft addition includes dynamic worship areas, gaming lounges, and a half-court basketball area, fostering an engaging environment for Sunday worship and weekly activities.

SMU Cox School of Business // In partnership with Robert A.M. Stern Architects, our team was selected to study the feasibility of upgrading SMU’s Cox School of Business. Our plan reconfigures the existing three buildings’ 165,000 GSF and adds 65,000 GSF, seamlessly integrating with SMU’s Georgian campus. The new multi-story commons will be the heart of this innovative space.







Rogers-O'Brien Construction

Calling all deigns students! GFF is hosting it’s second annual FREE Portfolio Workshop to assist students in navigating the conceptual and practical aspects of portfolio design and assembly. The workshop will expose students to a range of strategies for portfolio organization, content preparation, and page layout. The virtual workshop will take place on May 31, 2024 followed by an in-person workshop on June 7, 2024 in our Dallas office. These events will have games, tips and tricks, and small groups for students to have an interactive experience.
 
Spots are limited, so if you would like to participate, please fill out the contact form using the “Sign Up!” link below to reserve your spot. Feel free to share information about this event with other students! More information to come later this year.
 
https://gff.com/portfolio-workshop/
 
Virtual Workshop
May 31, 2024
2-4 PM CST
Teams
 
In-Person Workshop
June 7, 2024
2-4 PM CST
Dallas, Texas

Two Arts Plaza — Dallas, Texas

Two Arts Plaza is the second phase of a three-phase, multi-use development located at the terminus of Flora Street, the central axis of the Dallas Arts District. The sixteen-story, 250,000 square foot building was designed to be a cousin to the existing one arts plaza; related, but different enough to stand alone and add to the “campus” feel.

To enhance the proportions of this mid-rise tower, the plan was split along its length and the resulting volumes were shifted slightly apart, creating more vertical proportions on the ends of the building. The main entry and lobby face Routh Street adjacent to the existing St. Paul United Methodist Church, a quirky and eclectic brick structure which is the home to the oldest African-American Methodist congregation in Dallas and carries historic landmark designations from both City of Dallas and State of Texas. The main entry and tower location were positioned to respect the church and not overpower the much smaller building. The church also naturally became part of the central green space, acting as a bookend to the west side of the open space.

The tower skin is comprised of precast panels of varying sizes. The varying sizes create the appearance of different volumetric forms, playing off of the parti of One Arts Plaza and the intersecting volumes apparent within that building. Where the volumes in One Arts read as solid with punched openings, the volumes in Two Arts are framelike and transparent. One of the main feature elements of One Arts is the square recess at the top of the building, and similar gestures on the facades of Two Arts create outdoor balcony spaces while also establishing a contextual connection to One Arts.

John Bunker Sands Wetlands Center — Seagoville, Texas

The John Bunker Sands Wetlands Center serves as the hub of environmental education and study for the 3,100 acres of reclaimed wetlands habitat on the Rosewood Seagoville Ranch property southeast of Dallas. The Center provides opportunities for research, instruction, wildlife observation, and community gathering, along with overnight quarters for student researchers. The 5,400 SF interpretive center includes a staging and exhibit hall for interactive exhibits, a fully equipped research lab for the study of wetland plants and animals, a classroom for hands-on educational and research use, an on-site manager office and an observation platform. The elongated one-room-deep plan is placed strategically on the sloping site, positioned just below the crest of the hill. This orientation provides panoramic views of the wetlands as well as opening the building to the predominant southern breeze by operable windows on the north and south walls. By following the natural contours, the slightly elevated structure and permeable parking area rest lightly on the land, minimizing grassland disturbance and erosion.

The modest building uses homebuilder technology to achieve a limited budget, and its simple agrarian vernacular forms, regional materials and standing-seam metal roof reflect the existing ranch structures which share the site. Architectural elements such as boardwalks and observation towers similarly reflect typical wetlands structures. The building is anchored by a limestone wall extending out into the landscape, suggesting a remnant foundation wall. A long running porch and overhangs on the south elevation moderate the sun and create outdoor space to gather and appreciate the beauty of the wetlands.

Sustainable features include locally sourced materials, permeable paving, captured rainwater for site irrigation, natural ventilation, maximized daylight and views, native plants, and a wetland meadow for on-site wastewater treatment.

As the highly anticipated 23Springs is unfolding, we’re excited to watch the diagonal columns take shape, a very meaningful feature in the design of this project.

Creating memorable places, one detail at a time.

In the heart of Dallas, our story began in 1982, with our first office a mere block away from this project.

Fort Worth North Patrol Division — Fort Worth, Texas

Grand Opening ceremonies were held on April 3, 2018 for Fort Worth’s new North Patrol Division Police Substation in the rapidly growing Alliance/Heritage residential neighborhood. GFF provided architectural and landscape design services for the 23,000 SF station, as part of an unusual single source approach chosen by the City for this project. GFF assembled the entire delivery team including Roth Shepherd Architects for programming, Westbrook Companies for land search and acquisition services and FPI Builders as the General Contractor.

Sketching up new ideas this Spring

Factory Six03 Interiors — Dallas, Texas

One of the most recognizable forms on the Dallas skyline, the 603 Munger complex with its three 20-foot tall roof-top water tanks has anchored the West End for over 100 years. Granite Properties recognized the potential for this landmark structure to attract a new breed of creative office tenants and restaurants, and purchased the complex in late 2015. Built in three phases from 1903 to 1922, the complex originally housed the Brown Cracker and Candy Company, which employed 1,000 workers and was the largest cracker factory in the country at the time. The building occupies a uniquely shaped site which was created by the influences of the many rail lines in the warehouse district, and the confluence of the two original City of Dallas survey grids. The resulting outdoor urban space is one of a very few of its kind and scale that remains as the city has grown.

GFF teamed with ArchiTexas to design the rehabilitation of 603 Munger. The masonry exterior was cleaned and reconstructed. New, historically accurate windows are installed throughout.

Unsympathetic interior modifications have been reversed and corrected, and the iconic water tanks have been replaced to match original. Modern additions include new plaza landscaping and primary building entry, updated interior atrium and skylight, and new lease space and amenity areas created on the roofs of both the 4- and 7-story buildings. The 215,000 SF project has been branded by Granite as Factory Six03, and began occupancy in 2017.

Park Place Mercedes — Arlington, Texas

Luxury car dealer Park Place Motorcars built a Mercedes-Benz dealership along Interstate 20 in east Arlington.

This location features a showroom that can accommodate up to 16 vehicles and the new car delivery area is outfitted to handle four vehicles at a time. The shop has 35 service bays and 10 make-ready bays. The facility also handles sales and service for Sprinter vans, a light commercial series. This is a LEED Certified Project.

MedAssets — Plano, Texas

GFF was hired for architectural and interior design services for the new MedAssets corporate headquarters located in Plano. The design intent for this four-story, tilt wall, 230,000 SF building was to create a clean and modern shell building with a two-story lobby that offers views to both the east and the west. The fourth floor continuous window wall looks out onto the various campus amenities including a reflecting pool, jogging trail, sand volleyball court, half basketball court and outdoor dining. A fitness and wellness center are also included. The campus also includes surface parking for more than 1,100 cars and a pedestrian connection to Legacy Town Center. The site plan was designed to accommodate a future wing that could add another 120,000 SF as well as a parking garage.





**MedAssets is no longer the occupant of this building**

Weir’s Plaza — Dallas, Texas

GFF was hired to help the Weir’s family and their development partner, Four Rivers Capital, to redevelop the Knox Street property that Weir’s Furniture has occupied for 70 years. At the prominent Knox and Travis corner, the goal was to create a new office-oriented mixed-use development, preserve the existing façade of the cherished Highland Park Soda Fountain building and appropriately integrate the two.

The new project will be home to Weir’s Furniture as well as other ground level retail/restaurant spaces, totaling 43,000 SF. Located above is a 250,000 SF, 12-story office tower capturing excellent views of downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods. An 800-space, 6-level below-grade parking structure will be shared by the mixed-use functions.

The street level of the building is intended to be clean and modern, with a hint of urban grit, while also enhancing the walkability of the existing pedestrian-scale neighborhood. The Class ‘A’ office tower is a series of shifted volumes that allow the building to present a slender profile, while the building skin is articulated with rich masonry and steel detailing.

Design minded and rooted in collaboration.

Attentive to every design detail.

First United Methodist Church of Richardson — Richardson, Texas

First United Methodist Church of Richardson outgrew their existing facilities on Belt Line Road. They purchased 22 acres on Central Expressway, four blocks north of the existing location to expand their outreach, mission and campus. The new site with great visibility to 250,000 cars daily provided the expansion, space and location to dramatically increase the church’s presence in Richardson and all of north Dallas.

Working with Frank Welch and Associates, GFF created a new campus of a proposed 200,000 SF. The first phase of 126,000 SF included a new 43,000 SF sanctuary seating 1,300 in a traditional, yet modern form, a 47,000 SF building for nursery through adults, and a multipurpose family life center of 36,000 SF. The wood interior of the sanctuary recalls classic, wooden churches of early Texas, yet in a modern expression bathed in natural light. Stained glass windows depicting the Creation story animate and enliven the spacious volume. An eighth window illuminating the narthex represents eternity.

Market Ross Place — Dallas, Texas

Located in the West End Historic District, Market Ross Place consists of three eclectic brick and timber buildings connected by a dynamic multi-story atrium. GFF was brought in to design a welcoming lobby and public areas, as well as the addition of a vibrant tenant lounge to serve the 108,000 SF of office space and attract future tenants.

Renovations feature an architectural contrast between the raw, original building and new modern additions. Moments of color and craftsmanship add life back into the early 1900’s structure.

The Langford — Dallas, Texas

West Commerce Gateway is located at the entry to West Dallas from the Commerce Street Bridge, connecting directly to the heart of Downtown Dallas at the corner of West Commerce and Beckley Avenue.

The architecture and material palette are reminiscent of West Dallas’ industrial history, but the implementation is done with a modern approach. Brick detailing, alternating window patterns, and facade indentations provide the modern building with rich architectural texture while meeting the stringent zoning requirements of the site. The roof forms of the restaurant and retail buildings draw inspiration from historic structures in the surrounding area.

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Avondale Premier Collection Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Pininfarnia, Bentley, Mclaren, Maserati, Koenigsegg — Dallas, Texas

(Formally known as Park Place Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Bentley and McLaren)

An efficient narrow rectangular building maximizes a tiny site while a simple design produces an understated “boutique” for three elite brands: Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Maserati. Showrooms are carefully linked through a unique design maintaining the stringent corporate identity requirements of each brand. The dealership is located at Lemmon and Hudnall, the premier luxury auto destination in the DFW Metroplex, and stands out through its original design and ability to showcase the automobiles. The interior is designed to feature the cars as objects of art in a museum.

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Pegasus Park — Dallas, Texas

The Pegasus Park Tower is an icon on Dallas’ suburban skyline. This future-focused office campus has been renamed Pegasus Park. Situated on 23-acres in the heart of the Stemmons Freeway corridor, the campus is designed to encourage innovation and collaboration among the Bioscience commercial tenants, non-profits and incubators.

Campus landscaping and site improvements provide tenants access to a more natural environment as a beneficial retreat from the office, as well as access to much-needed natural light and fresh air.

Market Ross Place — Dallas, Texas

Located in the West End Historic District, Market Ross Place consists of three eclectic brick and timber buildings connected by a dynamic multi-story atrium. GFF was brought in to design a welcoming lobby and public areas, as well as the addition of a vibrant tenant lounge to serve the 108,000 SF of office space and attract future tenants.

Renovations feature an architectural contrast between the raw, original building and new modern additions. Moments of color and craftsmanship add life back into the early 1900’s structure.

Roanoke Police Department and Municipality Court Facility— Roanoke, Texas

The future Roanoke Police Department and Municipal Court facility. The new plaza creates a gracious civic space for public events. A welcoming façade makes wayfinding for visitors clear. A tailored material palette reflects the dignity inherent in our law enforcement and judicial systems. Designed in collaboration with

Magnolia Heights — San Antonio, Texas

GFF served as the Architect-of-Record for this Spanish-California style residential project designed by local San Antonio architects, Overland Partners, Bay windows and soaring ceiling heights that provide a residential experience that compliment the beautiful aesthetics of the project.

Roanoke Police Department and Municipality Court — Roanoke, Texas

We are so proud of our GFF civic team, including Jason Cave, Garrett Barker, and Heather Abaya, for breaking ground on the new Roanoke Police Department and Municipal Court facility.

Speakers at the event included Ross Perot Jr., Mayor Scooter Gierisch, and Police Chief Jeriahme Miller. Along with our teammates at , we are grateful to be able to serve those who serve us including the City of Roanoke and owner’s rep 720 Design.

North Dallas Office Tower — Dallas, Texas

This project strives to create a sense of destination and place in an immediate area devoid of either. By establishing an “oasis” amid all the current hard surfaces, we propose to provide a counterpoint to the endless non-descript adjacent suburban sprawl.

A series of outdoor amenity spaces, including a large, covered entry/motor court, an outdoor amenity deck adjacent to the sky lobby above, rooftop amenity spaces with downtown views, and small outdoor garden patios adjacent to private lease space all offer opportunities to connect with the outdoors and provide well-being benefits.

GFF New Headquarters — Dallas, TX

In our new office space, each GFF practice group seamlessly blends into the next, serving as a constant reminder to our guests, clients, and staff of the distinctive integrated expertise we strive for. A wide variety of space types is positioned around the office to accommodate our diverse staff, encompassing differing work styles and personality types. Open, closed, quiet, social, scheduled, or impromptu—the varied workspace options enable us to choose the best fit for each task, maintaining flexibility that keeps us nimble and on-point. Our commitment to an elevated and integrated presence underscores our dedication to daily inspiration, enhancing the experiences of both clients and the members of our firm.

GFF New Headquarters — Dallas, TX

Guests visiting our new office arrive on the same floor as our employees. Immediately visible is a central grand staircase, leading to an upper-floor suite filled with presentation and meeting spaces, wrapped with a lounge providing visibility to our collaborative practice at work. A surrounding plinth of walnut millwork contains a biophilic indoor landscape, offering an alternative environment for those seeking respite.

GFF design headquarters —Dallas, TX

We are excited to start 2024 with new headquarters in the heart of the vibrant Victory Park neighborhood of Dallas. This transition is more than just a change of logo and address; it is an improved reflection of who we are and where we want to go as an industry-leading, design-focused firm.