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Higher Education

We fully embrace our responsibility to society by designing spaces that emphasize academic learning and social development.

  • California State University, Long Beach 2035 Campus Master Plan

Extensive Engagement Results in Student-Centered Campus Vision

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courtyard with wooden planters and seats, soft seating, and colorful metal seats and umbrellas. surrounded by buildings.
A map image of a California State University Long Beach campus building with throughways highlighted in red and purple.

Student Ready Campus: The master plan update brings services to the students, both in a central hub and distributed across campus. Wellness programs support physical, mental, and emotional health.

aerial view of illustrated map with yellow building forms and green lawns. neighborhoods are identified with gray outlines.

Night Walks: These overlay primary pedestrian pathways to connect campus districts after dark. The night walk encourages users to use safe, convenient, and intuitive paths, and less isolated circulation.

Gray low fidelity aerial map with a rectilinear campus section highlighted in green, purple, yellow, orange, maroon, and blue
13

Explore Our Work

Exterior view of the University of Nevada, Reno University Arts Building lit in the evening
  • University of Nevada, Reno University Arts Building

Varied Arts Spaces Support a Vibrant Arts Community

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Rendering of exterior view of 3 buildings for the Shenzhen Institute of Design and Innovation
  • Shenzhen Institute of Design and Innovation

Campus Gracefully Blends Technology and Environment

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Exterior view of The University of Florida Institute of Black Culture and Institute of Hispanic-Latino Cultures
  • University of Florida Institute of Black Culture and Institute of Hispanic-Latino Cultures

Design Foundations in Cultural Identities

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Pima Community College Center of Excellence for Applied Technology building exterior with angled outcrops and glass façade
  • Pima Community College Center of Excellence for Applied Technology

New CTE Building Pride of the Community

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Swarthmore College Dining and Community Commons front entry illuminated from within in the evening
  • Swarthmore College Dining and Community Commons

First Net-Zero Dining Facility in the Country

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Los Rios Community College District Elk Grove Center exterior with large white roof and overhang wrapping 2 story windows
  • Los Rios Community College District-CRC Elk Grove Center Phase Two

Transparent, Engaging Science Building

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White atrium in 4 story Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion Health Education Campus. White bannisters and walkways come to center
  • Cleveland Clinic Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion

Next Gen Education: Teamwork

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Ideas

Evolution of Campus

DLR Group Senior Associate Rita Carter
press

Priorities Shift

DLR Group Senior Associate Rita Saikali Carter joins TRXL podcast to talk about the issue of loyalty to an architecture firm versus the stigma of moving to different firms, and the reasons she's moved firms in the past.

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DLR Group Senior Associate and Campus Planner linsey graff, Assoc. AIA
press

Campus Design for Engagement and Equity

In this week’s Design is Everywhere podcast episode, we learn how institutions are designing equity into their decision-making process with DLR Group Senior Associate Linsey Graff.

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Learning staircase made from wood with ample lighting and learning pods on the side, dining area at the bottom at TCALC
idea

COVID-19, E-Learning, and the Collegiate Pedagogy Model

Out of necessity came change, then widespread innovation in interactions between teachers, students, and the learning environment.

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Hallway left of yellow wall to entry. White room towards the door behind recessed dark wood counter with muraled backsplash
idea

Instituting a “Door is Always Open” Approach to Academic Offices

While the recent shift to virtual office hours was done out of necessity, the concept has significant potential to become a long-term solution on higher education campuses nationwide.

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Tucked-in booths for collaboration with wood benches and dark red accents at the University of Minnesota cultural center
idea

Pulling Back the Curtain on Higher Education Vulnerabilities

How are colleges and universities bringing students back to school, if not back to campus?

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idea

Planning for a Resilient Future in Higher Education

Effective, engaged, and integrated planning doesn't propose to guess the future; it empowers colleges and universities to be adaptable and resilient during uncertain times.

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Yellow seating area off entry with large U shaped sectional and coffee table. Recessed counter in center of wall with tiles
idea

The Evolution of Campus: A New Normal for Higher Education

A second phase of ongoing research across colleges and universities focused on long-term thinking that addresses vulnerabilities and potential benefits for students, faculties, and communities.

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13
Focus

Science + Technology

Inside view of room with 6 hospital beds with 2 circular lights hung above, tables next to the bed and red O on floor
idea

Priorities for Laboratory Environments: Resiliency

After conversations with stakeholders, priorities for the future of laboratory planning are established, and the place of resiliency.

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People work at Motor Control Systems in glass walled lab with exterior windows, left. Exposed ducts and hanging lights
idea

Priorities for Laboratory Environments: Flexibility

Easily adaptable lab environments bring new possibilities to ever-changing research requirements, elevating the case for flexible design.

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Double height atrium with wood panel drop ceiling detail over white arm chairs. Right, interior windows look into labs
idea

Priorities for Laboratory Environments: Location

Employing a data-driven planning approach to site selection positions institutions for greater growth scenarios.

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Double height white cement block lab with exposed ducts above lab equipment. View, left, through windows to green space
idea

10 Ways to Address Energy Use in Science+Technology Facilities

There are several high-impact strategies to reduce a building’s carbon footprint and improve operational expenses – without large-scale upgrades.

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a glass room off a white hallway contains multilevel workspace and tubes connecting to wall. A man works with equipment
idea

Nine Laboratory Must-Dos

Consider these important issues before planning your laboratory project to maximize resilience, efficiency, safety, and more.

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DLR Group Principal Chris Ertl, AIA, LEED AP
firm news

DLR Group Grows Science + Technology Practice

Chris Ertl, AIA, LEED AP, joins DLR Group to elevate the firm’s global science and technology practice.

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13

Work Continued

Swarthmore College Dining and Community Commons front entry illuminated from within in the evening
  • Swarthmore College Dining and Community Commons

First Net-Zero Dining Facility in the Country

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The Case Western Reserve Dental Clinic viewed from the corner illuminated from within at evening, with window walls at front
  • Case Western Reserve Dental Clinic

Crossing the Line: Community Integrated Care

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Room in the Jameson Crane Surgical Skills Lab with beds with circular lights suspended above, a large red O on floor center
  • Jameson Crane Surgical Skills Lab

Practice Makes Perfect

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Stone building at the Poinciana Campus of Valencia College with large roof overhang and geometric design wrapping building
  • Valencia College, Poinciana Campus

Campus and Community Weave History Together

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Arapahoe Community College, Sturm Collaboration Campus building with angular overhangs above illuminated glass façade
  • Arapahoe Community College, Sturm Collaboration Campus

Collaborative Community Education

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Colorado State University Pueblo Campus Center of Integrated Health and Human Inquiry building exterior viewed from corner
  • Colorado State University-Pueblo, Center for Integrated Health and Human Inquiry

Building Transformed for Modern Learning

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Vanderbilt University rendering of aerial view of site with multiple buildings interconnected by crossing paths
  • Vanderbilt University

Trans-Institutional Plan Sets New Campus Standards

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California Polytechnic State University's Vista Grande Dining Facility from across the street. 3 stories with outdoor seating
  • California Polytechnic State University, Vista Grande Dining Facility

Dining Pavilion Embodies Home Away from Home

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Mt. San Jacinto College of Math and Science Building rendering exterior view of entry with intersecting walkway at corner
  • Mt. San Jacinto College Math and Science Building

Dynamic New Building Enriches Students

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Events+Firm News

In the Media

Lowrise beige building at Chaffey College. Rolling grass hill with large letters reading Cucamonga in front of entry
firm news

Chaffey College Taps DLR Group for Planning and Design Services

A new library and learning commons will enhance student access to resources, and a new campus master plan will accommodate future growth.

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Menafee Hall at Voorhees College, an HBCU. A white 2 story building with central square turret and lookout over blue door
firm news

Voorhees College Granted Funds for Campus-Wide Preservation Plan

DLR Group partners with Voorhees College to secure funding reserved for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

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DLR Group Senior Associate Woody Giles
firm news

Senior Planner Woody Giles Joins DLR Group

His inclusive approach to campus and community planning positions institutions for resilient and sustainable futures.

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event

Improving Public Health Outcomes in Tennessee

We are presenting at the Association of American Medical Colleges' Group on Business Affairs and Group on Institutional Planning's 2022 Joint Spring Meeting.

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event

Equitable Sustainability Planning Across Three Campuses

DLR Group Senior Associate Linsey Graff, Assoc. AIA, will discuss sustainability efforts across campuses at the 2022 SCUP Annual Conference.

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Seating area with tables and chairs next to fire place in room with wood panel ceiling with recessed lines of light
firm news

Calvin T. Ryan Library to be Renovated and Renewed

DLR Group’s design will transform the 60-year-old facility to meet modern-day needs of students, faculty, and staff at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

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historic row houses in Washington DC, the leftmost being a warm orange revival brick façade. Turret on far right building
firm news

Historic Properties to be Converted to Intern Housing

DLR Group’s design will create a permanent residence facility in Washington, D.C. to serve interns in the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute program.

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three axonometric transparent views of a single level views with details highlighted in red and gray
firm news

New Laboratory Design Coming to Nashville Facility

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is adding a new off-campus clinical and pathology laboratory building north of downtown.

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event

Lab Sustainability: 10 Things You Can Do Now for Big Impact

DLR Group Principal Chris Ertl, AIA, LEED AP, and Associate Carl Ciacci will present at the 2022 TAPPA Educational Conference and Business Partner Fair. This session will uncover strategies to decrease costs and increase lab sustainability.

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DLR Group Principal Emily Winters
firm news

Higher Education Leader Joins the Firm in Texas

Emily Winters will collaborate with design teams locally and nationally to grow the firm’s Higher Education practice statewide.

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Leadership

Connect With Our Team

If you haven't met them on campus yet, you can find their contact info here.

Stuart Rothenberger

Global Higher Education Leader Senior Principal

Stuart Rothenberger

AIA, LEED AP
Global Higher Education Leader Senior Principal
Stu collaborates with design and planning experts to set the strategic direction and grow the firm’s higher education sector. He has served higher education clients almost exclusively throughout his career. As university campuses evolve, he is collaborating with design teams and clients to explore how space and design can positively elevate learning.

Premnath Sundharam

Applied Research Leader Senior Principal

Premnath Sundharam

AIA, WELL AP
Applied Research Leader Senior Principal
Prem is a recognized thought leader on sustainability and research informed design. He is a leader of our firm’s Research & Development studio. As Applied Research Leader, he drives innovation through our firm by collaborating with design teams to advance technical design and practice while leveraging data to evaluate the impact of design on users and the environment.

Linsey Graff

Campus Planner Principal

Linsey Graff

Assoc. AIA
Campus Planner Principal
Linsey is a campus planner who works with colleges and universities nation-wide to envision a physical campus environment that reflects the values and mission of each unique institution. She is experienced in developing whole campus plans, sustainability plans, and strategic visions for her clients. Her work in facilitating user groups, and campus and community engagement defines goals and objectives, prioritizes planning solutions, and encourages participatory decision-making.

Explore Related Sectors

Atrium seen from ground level. Long tables with chairs on either side of tree lined walkway. White angular staircases at back
Sector

Healthcare

At the center of our practice is an individual – be it a patient, caregiver, instructor, or student. Our design extends beyond the building to consider the emotional, mental, and social wellbeing of its inhabitants. We leverage our experience and knowledge to deliver evidence-based design solutions while rooting our practice in empathy.

Interior view of a gallery hallway, white striped dimensional ceiling design curves with room and provides recessed lighting
Sector

Cultural+Performing Arts

Behind every performance, museum exhibition, or cultural event is an interwoven backdrop of complex issues that design thinking can resolve. Whether designing a new venue or reimagining an existing one, we promise to create spaces that enrich the community, empower creative expression, and set the stage for cultural and economic vitality.

Contact Us

Contact Us

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