Blog

All of us here at DBI want to send Tyler a huge congratulations.  The September issue of 425 Magazine named Tyler as one of their 30 under 30.  We can attest to how great Tyler is and if he can be this outstanding in less than 30 years we cannot […]

Portfolios are how an architect or a designer shows the world who they are.  Even with such an important job to do the portfolio gets little attention.  Here at DBI we want to change that.  To help understand the does and don’t of developing and sharing a portfolio I am […]

Tyler and I had a quick business trip to Fort Worth last week.  The potential client was great and we got to play tourist.

Cities are getting taller with tall building design taking the lead.  As more and more people leave the suburbs to live, work, and play downtown, the only way is up! Seattle is leading this drive to reach the sky.  With more cranes active in Seattle than anywhere else on the […]

You already know your next leaders, they work for you.   The success of any organization is largely reliant on the strength of the leadership; conveying a vision, formulating strategy, and ultimately driving the direction of a company is no small task. Thus, having a sustained and committed leadership development program […]

Are you interested in the balance between connection and density in our cities that Tall Buildings create? Do you like the challenge of creating and designing high-rise structure that are both aspirational and relatable? Are you interested in working on globally diverse projects? We would like to connect with you. […]

Hospitality Senior Designers are in great demand right now.  DBI has four open roles to fill in the next month!  While the jobs are different in many ways, the core of each job is the same, aspirational design.  Each needs a talented designer or architect who is comfortable outside the […]

DBI has new videos for clients and candidates.  At DBI we have four truths that guide our every day.  We strive to be trusted partners, passionate advocates, strategic resources, and enthusiastically curious. We work to infuse these guiding principles into everything we do, each decision we make, and every relationship […]

If you will, think back to when you were a kid.  It is Easter and you and you brother and sister are hunting for eggs in the backyard.  It is sunny, almost hot (I was in Texas).  As you sit on the patio furniture you scan the backyard for eggs.  […]

Interior Design is emotional design.  It interacts with people in very personal ways.  It can create a feeling of warm and cozy safety, soaring and open grandeur, or even influence what we purchase.  Interior Design has power. DBI’s long time client in Seattle knows the power of Interior Design.  They […]

As the news of the unemployment rate in the United States is at 3.9%, a rare low, my first thought was “What a great opportunity to change jobs.”  I know this seems a bit counterintuitive to what one might think with a low unemployment number.  The standard thinking is that […]

  What drives a Project Architect?   Some would say sustainability. Some find passion around pushing the design envelop forward.  Others find joy in bringing old designs new life.  But what is at the core of all of this?  What is the true passion of the Project Architect? It is the […]

As designers we have a unique opportunity to give to the places we love.  We are able to give back in big ways, and in small ways.  It is these small ways that often make the biggest impact.  These personal spaces impact people each and every day. Our new San […]

A recent article penned for Inc by Suzanne Lucas made the bold statement: “Dear Hiring Manager, Perhaps You Should Write the Thank You Note.” She continues: “The traditional thank you note is from candidate to hiring manager, and that is wrong.” It is an interesting shift…that happened years ago. Any […]

A few weeks ago I hopped the pond for a few days in one of my favorite cities, London.  Below are a few pictures that show off one of my favorite aspects of the London of today, the seamless mix of old and new architecture.  Enjoy. And finally, a video:

The question has power, the solution has impact. This is the way forward for DBI’s new client based in San Diego. Our client is hiring a Science and Technology Studio Lead. This candidate will be responsible for leading the Studio in all applicable aspects of the Firm’s Strategic Plan. The job […]

The best part of our job is seeing the amazing work our industry creates.  One of the best ways to do that is Instagram.  Here are five Architecture Instagram pages we are obsessed with right now. Architecture_minimal (https://www.instagram.com/architecture_minimal/) Why we love it!  Living the mantra that less is more.  We […]

As designers when you start a new job the real work starts day one.  Schedules are always tight.  Budgets are always razor thin and there is always something to do.   As owner of DBI, as well as my time at Callison and working to hire architects at Starbucks, I know […]

I am SO excited about this one!  Many of the MadMen props are up for auction.  From Christmas tree skirts to Don’s 1964 Chrysler Imperial.  It can be yours if the price is right!  But act fast, the auction ends on April 6th! https://auction.screenbid.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/93  

Countless books and articles exist discussing the qualities of leaders and what make a good leader that build effective teams and how they differ from those who are not as successful.  In this article we will discuss how success as a leader is defined in the thousands of daily interactions […]