DLR Group

What's your environmental *legacy? A simple question with profound significance. One we're eager for you to answer.

Over the next week, share your thoughts in a post by following these steps:
✏️ In three sentences or less, describe how you will contribute to the betterment of our natural and built environment.
📷 Add an image that represents your legacy.
🌍 Use the hashtag in your post so we can celebrate your efforts.

*Your legacy encompasses your experiences, values, traditions, and beliefs that you will pass down to future generations. Whether big or small, intentional or unintentional, we all contribute to shaping our planet, climate, and communities.

Creating an inclusive and safe workplace for all is a responsibility we embrace. During , both LGBTQ+ teammates and allies shared stories, participated in community events, and learned from one another. Why? Because through education, commitment, and action comes change.

Here's a peek at some of these actions:

● We walked in Pride parades around the country. In Los Angeles, for example, we walked with Build Out Alliance, an organization promoting and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community in the building design and construction industry. They have other offices in Washington, D.C., New York, and San Francisco, and host events throughout the country.

● Hosted a resource drive to support one of our clients, The Greater Whittier LGBTQ Community Resource Center, which provides all sorts of services to underserved communities and individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.

● Played Pride trivia with facts including history, important figures and symbols, and much more. Here's one resource from The Library of Congress to learn more: https://www.loc.gov/ghe/cascade/index.html?appid=90dcc35abb714a24914c68c9654adb67

● Catered in coffee and breakfast from a locally operated, queer-owned business in Austin, Texas, Patika Coffee.

● Played "Drag Bingo" in offices including Minneapolis and Washington, D.C., the latter raised money to support these local non-profits: WHITMAN-WALKER CLINIC 1525, GLSEN, and The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center.

● Learned about suppliers and partners that are LGBTBE Certified from National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). Here's what that means: https://nglcc.org/lgbtbe-certification/

"[We were] engaged in learning about the diversity of our communities and the history of resilience and perseverance that allows us to celebrate today. It was about recognizing the progress we’ve made and acknowledging the work that still needs to be done. It served as a powerful reminder of the importance of freedom, resilience, and unity," says Designer Jazzmin Reid, Assoc. AIA, NOMA. Happy Pride, all ❤️

Today marks the official end of slavery in the United States.
With educational events happening across our communities, we encourage you to take a look at what's in your area. Here are a few hosted by our clients:
🟥 Community celebration by the Museum of Science & History, Jacksonville, FL: https://bit.ly/3xe7n0x
🟩 Know Before You Go at Cleveland Museum of Natural History: https://bit.ly/4bbB5ku
🟨 Juneteenth Celebration: Family Fun Day at Murphy Arts District in El Dorado, AR: https://bit.ly/4esVYus

The Gulf Shores City Schools district in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is making waves to revitalize and community bonds. With an academically diverse student body, we partnered with district leaders, teachers, students, and locals to envision an inclusive future. Drawing inspiration from the Gulf's beauty, our design for this new high school is poised to be a beacon of community pride. Here's the story: https://bit.ly/3wYuvA6

Did you know that, according to the American Council on Education, 70% of university presidents say student wellness is their most pressing issue? To address this, we developed the Evolution of Campus research study. Representing over 6.5 million students across 240 institutions, it focuses on student engagement, , and valuable information to help institutions reexamine and improve their student support approaches. Download your free digital copy here:

DLR Group Unveils Evolution of Campus 4.0 Research Study Outcomes Download a free digital copy of DLR Group’s Evolution of Campus 4.0 research study outcomes, which identifies key struggles and solutions for varying types of higher education institutions to address wellbeing.

Like stories, some places are lost to time … or never even shared. Across the United States, landmarks that chronicle the experiences and history of our + community are slowly being put on the National Register of Historic Places. Here's a small sampling of such places so they may not be forgotten.

What's a place and story that you know of?

National Trust for Historic Preservation

This week we broke ground on a new educational facility in Cairo, Egypt. AUC The American University in Cairo is embarking on an exciting expansion of its campus.

We've been tapped to assist in initiatives across its 65-acre area, including new student housing and a hub for extended learning and education. These developments focuses on meeting both student and staff practical, visual, and community needs - fostering an inviting environment that supports and student wellness.

: Welcome to AUC’s groundbreaking ceremony of AUC's Campus 2026!

Today, we celebrate an ambitious expansion of the New Cairo campus buildings designed to enhance our facilities and better serve the community!

This visionary development project is dedicated to student-centered excellence and sustainability, featuring cutting-edge technology, accessible facilities, and eco-friendly structures.

Principal and Global Design Leader Vanessa Kassabian, AIA, speaks on our recent initiatives at AUC The American University in Cairo’s new developments, focusing on meeting both student and staff practical, visual, and community needs.

: Join us for a conversation on how Campus 2026 changes the region’s higher ed landscape, provides transformative student experiences and prepares future-ready leaders.

The panel discussion features President Ahmad Dallal, Victor Legorreta, partner and design director at LEGORRETA; Vanessa Kassabian, global design leader at DLR Group; and is moderated by Magda Mostafa, professor of design, Department of Architecture.

“Our priority is to put ourselves in the place of patients, caregivers, providers, and administrators to understand how the space will impact experience. Empathy is our greatest design tool," says Senior Principal and Senior Healthcare Planner Philip LiBassi, AIA.

In behavioral health environments, intentional design is a powerful ally for rejuvenation and . For , we highlight the importance of creating stress-reducing spaces for occupants and staff. By improving access to behavioral health treatment, incorporating natural light, and providing relaxation areas, we can support mental health and .

Explore more of our evidence-based design solutions, including insights from Senior Principal and Global Justice+Civic Leader Darrell Stelling, AIA: https://www.dlrgroup.com/idea/health-wellbeing-justice-facilities/

, the nation’s largest copper statue right after Lady Liberty, remains unscathed after nearly 40 years after arriving at the Portland Building. During the reconstruction of the Portland Building, it was critical for our design team to work with the city to keep this monument safe and preserved. As a tribute to the this Preservation Month, watch the full three-minute episode from the Portland Building docuseries here: https://youtu.be/mauJQU--ZbE?si=991GpcZen08IwNZ0

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Protecting Portlandia: Preserving the Symbol of the City Though the design and appearance of the Portland Building continues to drive debate, Portlanders seem to like their Portlandia. Special attention was paid to...

This , we remember all those who have served and sacrificed for our country. The courage and dedication of our service members should be reflected in the spaces dedicated to them – for this reason, our design concept for the National Museum of the U.S. Navy competition proudly honors the storied history and traditions of our U.S. military.

You can read more about the here: https://www.dlrgroup.com/work/national-museum-us-navy/

Growing the profession is an ongoing, ceaseless endeavor. DLR Group designers worldwide demonstrate their commitment through actions that make this profession more accessible and attainable. Our recent audit of activities includes guest lectures, critiques, university charrettes, resume writing, portfolio reviews, career fairs, job shadows, tours, mentorship programs, industry events, volunteering, and much more. So, if you are interested in or know someone who might be interested in a career as an interior designer, share this with them: https://www.dlrgroup.com/idea/intern-experience-faq/

The need for career and technical education has never been greater. But how do we prepare and plan for the world of work when we live in an ever-evolving society and industry that's changing?

Last fall, we sparked these conversations with educators at the ’s CTE Symposium. Get the summary from Senior Principal and K-12 Education Leader Pamela Loeffelman, AIA, here: https://bit.ly/4cWdw1w

Design Focused: Leading the Conversation on CTE As leaders in career and technical education design, we constantly look for opportunities to advance the conversation. In fall 2023, we brought together some of the most influential voices in career and technical education for the Association for Learning Environments’ CTE Symposium.

"Saying that I am privileged to teach at Summit Technology Academy is an understatement. The programs offered to students from numerous high schools, along with the building, create an environment that one dreams of working in," says Allied Health Instructor and HOSA Advisor Kristen Pierson, RHIA, CPC, at the Missouri Innovation Campus' Summit Technology Academy.

Results like this are why we do what we do: designing environments where teachers feel as much inspired and safe as students. Thank you to all the teachers out there empowering our students.

Here's a look at the Missouri Innovation Campus – an innovative CTE school – where Kristen works: https://www.dlrgroup.com/work/missouri-innovation-campus/

Photo by Michael Robinson

In a unanimous decision, the University of Missouri-Columbia Board of Curators moved to select DLR Group as the architect for the Memorial Stadium Improvements Project. Our is rooted in the traditions of Mizzou athletics while offering a refreshed and elevated gameday experience for all. Get the full story here:
https://bit.ly/3w7JR4T

We're proud to share Pamela Touschner, FAIA, and Peter Rutti, AIA, have each been appointed a DLR Group Managing Principal. Both are members of our 15-person executive leadership team, collaboratively managing the operations for our 1,600 design professionals and 33 global locations. Their collaborative leadership is part of our planned transition. Read the news here:

DLR Group Appoints New Managing Principals Pamela Touschner, FAIA, and Peter Rutti, AIA, appointed managing principals as the 100% employee-owned integrated design firm implements planned leadership transition.

Some of our favorite moments of our planet. 🌍

Sustainability occurs at every scale. Take a moment this to hear from Chief Climate Officer Prem Sundharam, AIA, CEM, on how a hike through the desert in Phoenix inspired an award-winning, sustainable design: https://bit.ly/4aZeVSR

This , we are proud to showcase the impactful contributions of our employee-owners. With over 12,000 hours dedicated to volunteering in 2023, our team has passionately supported various causes that resonate with our core values including education, climate action, health, equity, and more. Here's a deeper look at our values: https://bit.ly/3WlM7jJ

If you didn't get a chance to attend an event for The American Institute of Architects' , there are still plenty of ways to get involved, like learning a thing or two about architecture with a few clicks. Our friends at Accidentally Wes Anderson updated two dozen design stories on their website with fun and interesting callouts that share more information on . Learn about Roman gardens, transom windows, famous architects in history, postmodernism, and so much more. Here's a sampling of our "Architectural Insights": https://bit.ly/3Jl6MfI

Happy learning!

You searched for architectural insights | Accidentally Wes Anderson With our friends at Switzerland Tourism, we encountered hidden gems and magical landscapes in the Land of Milk and Honey.

For the first time in history, CEOs from seven national associations will gather in Kansas City for the D7 Summit: a two-day exploration of interdisciplinary connections with collective action as the outcome. We are honored to present this summit hosted by Center for Architecture & Design Kansas City and KC Global Design. Here are the event details on this historic meeting of the minds happening on April 25: https://www.dlrgroup.com/event/d7-design-leaders-ceos/

The American Institute of Architects
AIGA | the professional association for design
American Planning Association
American Society of Landscape Architects
Industrial Designers Society of America - IDSA
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
SEGD - Society for Experiential Graphic Design

Presenting Seven Integrated Design Leaders in Historic D7 Gathering Join seven integrated design leaders in a conversation on collaborative solutions to design industry and societal challenges.

It's never too early to start thinking like an architect! The American Institute of Architects' kicks off today, and that means we have a week filled with activities around the United States to increase exposure to the design profession for K-12 students. Here's an interactive map to find an event near you: https://www.aia.org/architecture-week

Pictured is Senior Associate and Architect Kelli Stewart, AIA, LEED AP, reading her children's book, "Little Designers: Sea of Dreams," to a classroom. Using one of DLR Group’s Personal Development Grants, she wrote this children’s book to share the architectural design process and inspire more students to go into the profession.

We've moved! Our new office is off the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip on 3800 Howard Hughes Parkway. With hundreds of projects in the city and surrounding region, our growth continues with recent key architectural, interior design, planning, and lighting design hires. Read more on the news here: https://www.dlrgroup.com/firm-news/las-vegas-office-relocation/

Pictured is the MGM Resorts' Mandalay Bay Resort Conference and Convention Center where we provided electrical and structural design services for one of the first utility-scale rooftop arrays ever designed. Covering 11 acres of roof area and producing over 6,400 kW of clean energy, the array provides over 20 percent of the hotel and casino’s power.
Photo by Eric Melzer

Las Vegas DLR Group Office Relocates to Support Growing Business Global design firm’s new office in Las Vegas provides architecture, interior design, engineering, and specialty services.

In 2023, we proudly reported that 45 percent of our 1,500+ employee-owners identified as women. When we were founded nearly 58 years ago, we started with one female among 13 architects and engineers. Barbara Gaughan, DLR Group's first full-time female employee, reflects on her 40-year career with the firm, sharing what commitment to fairness, opportunity, and ownership looks like: https://www.dlrgroup.com/idea/first-female-employee/

DLR Group's First Female Employee DLR Group was shaped by our founders and those they hired who were committed to fairness, opportunity, and ownership. Barbara Gaughan, the firm's first full-time female employee, shares how that transpired over her 40-year career.