Design+Dialogue

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 […]

  While attending the recent Bisnow even, Seattle: Retail and Mixed-Use Breakdown, Maria Barrientos (co-owner of Barrientos RYAN, www.mbarrientos.com) was speaking about retail projects in her mixed-use projects around Seattle. *A bit about Maria.  Her firm has been developing residential, mixed-use projects in the various Seattle neighborhoods for 15 years.  […]

What is the home of the future in San Francisco?  Is it a Victorian era beauty?  A gleaming high-rise? Or has the home of the future yet to truly be defined?  If you believe that the true home of the future is yet to be defined this Senior Project Manager […]

I have always been attracted to simple, functional design.  Living in Seattle, in a 1926 bungalow, space must be maximized, utility harnessed, and aesthetics never compromised.  The Twofold, by Studio Micheal Hilgers, it all of these things. Enjoy!    

DBI is hiring a Project Director of Recruiting for Seattle.  At DBI we truly embrace the firm within a firm approach to growth.  If you are a self-driven, creative entrepreneur with the desire to truly build your own book of business but have not been able to generate start-up capital, […]

As we start 2018 DBI wants to start sharing back with the larger design community we support.  Through our relationship, interactions, training, and speaking we learn a great deal about architect and interior design.  This effort will be the action behind our pillar of being a Strategic Resource. We hope […]

Collaboration.  Encouraging.  Entrepreneurial.  These are the words used to describe our client in Boston.  This client has a remarkable team with leadership that is open, accessible, and fun.  This firm has a passion for team members, friends, family, and the community.  They blend all of these in a collaborative work […]

I have seen this around my feeds for a week or so and I have stoped to watch it each time I see it!  It is fascinating.  I first noticed it on Geekwire. In 2015, a 360 degree camera was placed on the Space Needle.  The purpose, to capture Seattle’s […]

DBI is working with an exciting, growing firm in Seattle. The need is for a very self-directed and self-aware Project Architect. The right candidate will have experience with mixed-use housing project in the Seattle area. They will need to bring a blend of technical and design skill to the role […]

DBI is working with an established and growing architecture firm in the heart of Seattle. Our client is a horizontally structured firm. All employees are licensed architects and shareholders! This structure drives the core value of our client, collaboration. It also works to build strong client relationships. The large scale, […]