Top 50 U.S. Architecture Firms
ARCHITECT Magazine has released their fourth annual ranking of the most “powerful, philanthropic, talented and profitable” architecture firms in the United States. Don’t be fooled, this doesn’t necessarily mean the biggest firms, as the survey uses the broadest possible criteria to allow practices, both small and large, the opportunity to compete and be recognized.
Firms are ranked by profitability, sustainability and design quality. For the first time this year, the survey included pro bono work and water modeling in response to the challenging realities of the economy, natural disasters and drought.
Additionally, the survey revealed that 66% of the firms reported an increase in their net revenue from 2010 to 2011. No surprise there, when considering the slow, overall improvement of the ABI (check out the latest ABI report here).
And now, the Top 50 US Firms are…
Diné College Library / DLR Group
Architects: DLR Group
Location: Shiprock, New Mexico, USA
Project Area: 26,000 sqm
Project Year: 2010
Photographs: Courtesy of DLR Group
Panther Lake Elementary School / DLR Group
The design for Panther Lake Elementary School focuses on bringing together the school’s learning and common areas in order to enrich the students’ educational experiences. Long rows filled with formal learning spaces run parallel to each other, while a corridor containing the school’s major common areas runs through the rows at a diagonal, bisecting and connecting the separate learning areas. As a result, the various learning centers remain open to one another even though they appear to be separated by their different colors and structural elements.
Architect: DLR Group
Location: Federal Way, Washington, United States
Project Area: 45,000 sqf
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Chris J. Roberts
Marysville Getchell High School / DLR Group
Architect: DLR Group
Location: Marysville, Washington, USA
Project Year: 2010
Photographs: DLR Group
2011 CAE Educational Facility Design Awards
AIA recently made us aware of this year’s CAE Educational Facility Design Awards. The purpose of the design awards program is to identify trends and emerging ideas, honor excellence in planning and design, and disseminate knowledge about best practices in educational and community facilities. Check out the list of 13 after the break, including several of the firms we have previously featured.
Brokaw Early Learning Center / DLR Group
Oswego Community Unit School District 308 challenged DLR Group to design a new early learning center to meet the unique needs of children age three to five. The center is home to three programs: Tuition Pre-School, Preschool for All, and Special Education. DLR Group’s design solution resulted in a pinwheel layout, having four small houses around a central core of shared facilities, including administration, a multi-purpose gymnasium and a community/parent room.
Architect: DLR Group
Location: Oswego, Illinois, USA
Mechanical/Electrical Engineer: KJWW
Structural Engineer: TGRWA Engineering
Civil Engineer: Cowhey Gudmundson Leder, Ltd.
Site, Core and Shell Contractor: L.J. Dodd
Interior Fit-out Contractor: R.L. Sohol
Owner: Oswego Community Schools 308
Project Area: 39,800 sqf
Project Year: 2007
Photographs: James Steinkamp
Betty Fairfax High School / DLR Group
Architect: DLR Group
Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Owner: Phoenix Union High School District #210
Engineer: DLR Group
Contractor: Adolfson & Peterson Construction
Project Year: 2007
Area: 345,000 SF; 51 Acres
Photographs: Mark Boisclair
Metea Valley High School / DLR Group
Architects: DLR Group
Location: Aurora, IL, USA
Owner: Indian Prairie School District 204
Engineer: DLR Group; KJWW Engineering; Roake and Associates, Inc.
Contractor: Turner Construction
Opened: August 2009 – Phase I; February 2010 – Phase II
Project Area: 464,200 SF; 84.1 Acres
Photographs: James Steinkamp
