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The success of any museum, government building, academic institution or public plaza relies on sensitive design and the balancing of security and free access, timeless beauty and functionality.

At DSA, we deliver program-driven, life-cycle solutions that reflect constant collaboration with our clients. Our projects foster fluid, seamless operations that result from our own interwoven planning, technology and architecture services.

Whether we are defining the guidelines that will move forward the vision of a cities "Aerotropolis" or designing for the public school system, preserving a historic building or designing new, state-of-the-art facilities, our civic and public teams deliver sustainable environments that serve their users, their communities and their nations, today and well into the future.

Innovative thinking drives enduring value, because public buildings are built with taxpayers’ money, it is imperative that they be of both immediate and enduring value. At DSA, we work with our clients in the public sector to develop public institutions that seamlessly blend the essential elements of value, security and integrity with advanced technology and compelling design. The result is a building that reverberates strongly with both those who use and those who visit it, for years to come.

In today’s world of public projects, design is the differentiator. Good design solutions are increasingly recognized as a powerful force in building opinions and solving complex problems. Today’s most remembered, most celebrated places are positioned above the fray, not only for their exceptional functionality, but for what they say—about the environments they inhabit, the people they serve and the eras in which they exist. Great yet efficient architecture is becoming a large part of the draw. Great design not only serves a building’s aesthetic, it also engenders everyday function.

 There's no question that retail has changed dramatically. No longer driven by convenience, accessibility and the sovereignty of the automobile, today's shopping centers celebrate the new retail aspirations of consumers: social interaction, traditional Main Streets and an extension of regular daily activities.

DSA emphasizes the importance of brand, loyalty to lifestyle and the value of purchasing patterns. We create civic hubs—often around transit—that engender placemaking and give rise to community. We build on the synergy of retail developments, ultimately, our projects celebrate differences in culture and the diversity of the human experience.

Choreographing the experience is a critical step in DSA's process and is based on numerous interactive work sessions with the development team on issues such as leasing, merchandising, budget and overall theme. Our expert services contribute to an intensive exploration of development and leasing approaches, circulation, tenant identity, theme and placemaking.

Retail design is all about the consumer. With the transformation of the traditional mall and the emergence of a more lifestyle-oriented shopping environment, demographics have remained integral. Lately, however, psychographics have grown in importance, creating a greater need for the retail industry to pay attention to shopper preferences. A shopper’s attitudes, values and lifestyles must all be integrated into the retail design creating a place that not only sells but reflects a certain culture.

DSA designs retail spaces that are logical extensions of the consumer's everyday lives; places that make connections with how they live, work and play; and places that offer them a more meaningful experience than simply shopping.

 Mixed-use developments are driving the shift toward pedestrian-friendly, urban-style living. A synergistic combination of residences, shops, offices, hotels or entertainment venues, these 24- hour live/work/play environments offer a variety of options to a multitude of users at different times of the day.

DSA's diverse experience with a range of building types gives us a unique appreciation for the needs of various tenants. We help our clients shape sustainable neighborhoods that serve both residents and businesses, while planning for lower levels of automobile utilization, employing shared parking arrangements and offering traffic management programs. We assist in creating economically viable components that strengthen and solidify the successes of the other uses. Our mixed-use projects result from a sophisticated blend of planning and urban design, architecture, and environmental graphic design.

By now, we’ve all seen the evidence of mixed-use development and its boundless benefits. Fed up with long commute times and urban sprawl, people are taking back their cities, favoring the convenience and vibrancy of urban life. The suburbs are being reinvented with smart growth and city-style connections to transit and other uses.

"DSA Can Design A Tangible Mixed-Use Opportunity Because We Have A Greater Understanding Of The Intricacies And Complexities Of Creating Viable Town Centers."

The opportunities for fulfilling the promise of mixed-use development are better than ever. The stronger and more comprehensive the interaction of the parts throughout the delivery process, the better equipped the development and the city is to receive returns on the investment — returns like improved infrastructure, better density, greater quality of life, reduced sprawl, lower pollution levels, and a broader spectrum of housing and jobs. In turn, these civic benefits amount to economic benefits. Our design go beyond the individual uses to unearth what makes great places, and convey vibrant, dynamic urban-style centers that deliver on the promise.