Skip Main Links
Design

Defining Design Excellence

Design Tenets

Over 60 years, we have evolved a living definition of design excellence, crystallized in ten tenets. These tenets codify the collective design culture that connects us, drives us forward, and readies us to elevate the human experience through design.



01

Spirit of Place

Engage with the site’s historical, cultural, or personal memories. Acknowledge context and create outdoor spaces that restore ecology and build community.

Cozy hotel lounge with a large double-sided fireplace, wooden ceiling beams and columns, and elegant seating arrangements throughout; dlr group design
02

Beauty & Delight

Elicit a strong emotional response through harmonious and poetic interplay of light, shadow, color, texture, line, scale, rhythm, and proportion.

Infinite Shade art installation, colorful array of lights and metal pieces create a shading structure for passive cooling; dlr group design
03

Clarity of Concept, Form, & Organization

Use design elements, massing, and spatial sequences purposefully to clearly support the concept.

aerial view of building entryway, showcasing form and function; landscape architecture; dlr group design
04

Resilient & Adaptable

Mitigate effects of climate change with long-term strategies that respond, absorb, and adapt to disruptions, challenges, or environmental changes.

view from the lawn of a sustainable, mass timber building on a university campus, Swarthmore University
05

Elegant Detail & Craft

Celebrate the art of building. Use materials responsibly, consider how they meet, and develop sophisticated detailing.

wood grid sections curve into a rotunda with view of sky above at Pueblo County Judicial Center
06

Environmental Stewardship

Commit to carbon reduction, energy use reduction, water conservation, and healthy communities by maximizing value and minimizing waste.

interior design of a mass timber building in toronto; two people working at a high top table with a large mural wall in the back; dlr group design
07

Integration & Innovation

Engineer comprehensive and interconnected building systems with innovative advancements born from integrated design.

Partially covered walkway between buildings, building at left has first floor window walls below wood panels; dlr group design
08

Community & Culture

Demonstrate appreciation, understanding, and authentic reflection of users’ diverse cultural identity. Ignite positive change by addressing community needs and creating inclusive experiences.

community and culture at dine college library, desert structure with an iconic design. Curved structure overlays itself and lit up from within with warm lights; dlr group design
09

Health & Wellbeing

Support mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Be a catalyst for users’ health, cognitive function, physical performance, and personal goals.

people reading on a brown circular bench with a brown column and green ceiling fixtures in hallway lined with forest graphics; dlr group design
10

Elevated Value

Create lasting value to society. Meet project budget goals and align with program requirements.

Full stadium of fans in red during dusk football game at the LA Memorial Coliseum
Peter Rutti
Connect with me to start a conversation ➔ Peter Rutti, Chief Design Officer
Ideas

What We're Saying

Every project and client solution starts with a spark of an idea. Design thinking and problem solving are some of the ways we start to engage a design challenge.

Infinite Wave shade at the Chandler Art Museum illuminated in multicolor array at night
Leadership

Meet our People

Our sector, discipline, and executive leaders are dispersed to mentor the next generation of employee-owners, counsel clients, and share their design voice in their local communities.

Black curved wall section with rounded dip in ceiling leading to dining. Left, translucent purple wall room below white wall

Contact Us

Contact Us

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.