Dahlin Group Architecture Planning
Creating a Sense of Place
Dahlin Group Architecture Planning is a California-based, full- service architecture and planning firm created almost 30 years ago by architect and builder/craftsman Doug Dahlin. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley's College of Environmental Design, Dahlin started designing and building residences as an independent contractor in 1971. Within a decade, Dahlin Group had made a name for itself as the principal architect of the landmark Blackhawk Country Club, a 4,800-acre country club community in Danville that boasts seven distinct neighborhoods, two championship golf courses, a shopping village, medical and commercial offices and an automotive museum.
The Dahlin Group (Photo courtesy of Dahlin Group Architecture Planning)
While the Blackhawk brand helped launch Dahlin Group's reputation of elegant recreational facilities and luxurious residences, the company diversified its portfolio and design styles. Dahlin Group project types include land planning, urban design and redevelopment, master planned communities, recreational and commercial buildings, golf clubhouses, office buildings, single-family and multi-family residential architecture and custom homes. In addition to planning neighborhoods and communities, the firm creates everything from hotels to faith-based facilities and senior centers. The firm designed a prototype for Renaissance ClubSport, a new hospitality concept unveiled by Marriott Hotels a few years ago that merges a four-star hotel with a full-service fitness resort.
(Photo courtesy of Dahlin Group Architecture Planning)
Dahlin Group has established a new headquarters office in Pleasanton and has additional offices throughout California and one in Beijing, China. Dahlin Group has a staff of 200 full-time employees and is acknowledged as one of the largest architectural firms in Northern California with projects throughout the West Coast and Asia. The firm receives design awards every year and in 2005, Doug Dahlin was inducted into the California Building Industry Hall of Fame.
(Photo courtesy of Dahlin Group Architecture Planning)
(Photo courtesy of Dahlin Group Architecture Planning)
The company's principals utilize their diverse planning and design disciplines to create a "sense of place" for all their projects. "It's more than just a building," explains Bay Area native Karl Danielson, AIA, Dahlin Group's Commercial Group principal. Building architecture, site planning, interior design, hardscape amenities and landscaping are all vitally important pieces of their designs and together create a unified design statement. Dahlin Group architects and planners are sensitive to the concerns of client and end-user, minding the bottom line and striving to bring value to the table.
This philosophy is evident in their work. Everything within a Dahlin Group community plan reveals an underlying sensitivity to the needs of its residents as well as the surrounding environment, from major components like the placement of commercial and recreational areas, to details like gatehouses and entry walls. "We dovetail all these elements together into a cohesive design effort," Danielson adds. "That's what we think we're best at and that's what we enjoy doing."
(Photo courtesy of Dahlin Group Architecture Planning)
(Photo courtesy of Dahlin Group Architecture Planning)
Site design is of particular importance to Dahlin Group's methodology. They approach every site as a unique planning or building design opportunity; as a result, every design solution is an original.
The company is looking forward to a very productive future. Dahlin Group designed the 2006 House of Innovation for Sunset and Popular Science magazines. The commercial group is also currently working on designs for another half dozen Renaissance ClubSport sites nationwide. The company has doubled their staff in the last five years and constantly seeks to expand their already illustrious design work. Dahlin Group is currently establishing the visions and goals for the next 25 years.
Dahlin Group is located at 5865 Owens Drive in Pleasanton. Contact them at 925-251-7200, info@dahlingroup.com, or visit dahlingroup.com
September 2007 Commercial Edition Issue