Alpha West Interior Terrace - O'Brien Architects - Masterplanning Studio

Master Planning

Create Spaces

with Heart.

Establish a Vision With Collaboration.

Your vision is the starting point.

Our master planning services are designed to help you see the full potential of your site and bring it to life with purpose and clarity. We don’t just map out buildings and streets, we're in charge of the development of a long-term plan that connects every element of your project, such as architecture, landscape, infrastructure, and amenities into one cohesive story.

Our Master Planning Process

Strategic
Visioning

Aligning big-picture goals with real-world context to create a clear, actionable framework for long-term growth.

Stakeholder
Engagement

Bringing voices together early such as clients, communities, and collaborators, to build shared understanding and lasting support.

Sustainable and Resilient Planning

Designing of adaptable frameworks that prioritize environmental responsibility, long-term value, and community wellbeing.

Phased Development & Implementation

Structuring growth in thoughtful stages, allowing each phase to support the next while staying true to the overall vision.

Master Planning Strategic Services.

Placemaking & Amenities

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Feasibility Study

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Environmental Design

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Placemaking & Amenities.

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Enhance Community
and Pride.

The most successful developments aren’t just well planned, they’re loved by the people who live, work, and gather there. 
As part of our master planning services, placemaking and amenities help shape the identity of a development and ensures it serves the people who use it every day.
Through thoughtful layout, materials, and programming, we design public spaces that are intuitive, safe, and engaging, not just for today, but for the future of your site.

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Master Planning Expertise.

Architectural master planning lays the foundation for long-term, meaningful development. It brings together land use, infrastructure, architecture, and open space into a unified vision. It balances ambition with feasibility and provides a structure for phased development that evolves with market demands, institutional goals, or city needs.
The Addison Cotton Belt - Project by O'Brien Architects-

Urban and Regional Planning.

Aligning big-picture goals with real-world context to create a clear, actionable framework for long-term growth.
Real Salt Lake Master Plan - Project by O'Brien Architects

Campus & Institutional Planning.

Academic and institutional environments should be intuitive and inspiring.
We craft plans that support evolving programs while reinforcing identity, accessibility, and a strong sense of place.
Presidium Valley View - Project by O'Brien Architects

Mixed Use & Community Development.

Community-focused planning brings together housing, commerce, and public space in ways that feel connected and intuitive.
We design flexible development frameworks that balance density, access, and amenities, helping shape environments people want to be part of.
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Land Use & Site Analysis.

Successful development starts with a clear understanding of the land itself, its potential, its limits, and its context.
By conducting detailed site analyses, we can inform smarter decisions, guiding the placement of buildings, circulation, and open space from the very beginning.

Feasibility Study.

For Confident, Informed Development Decisions.

NTPGA Frisco Headquarters - Project by O'Brien Architects

What is a Feasibility Study?

Feasibility studies are foundational tools that help developers, planners, and stakeholders assess whether a site is suitable for development. Our team brings together expertise across architecture, planning, zoning, and infrastructure, allowing us to see the full picture and anticipate what others might miss. 
Every site is unique. Our evaluations are tailored, but key areas in our Feasibility Study typically includes:

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Our Feasibility Process.

Discovery
and Alignment

We define the vision and understanding the site, identifying key constraints, and understanding the project’s context.

Research and Data Collection.

Gathering the facts that shape the foundation with planning documents, zoning codes, environmental data, utility maps, and market research.

Site and Regulatory Analysis.

We will uncover the limits and opportunities of your site by evaluating entitlements, site conditions and overlays.

Feasibility
Modeling.

Testing ideas against reality with massing studies, yield scenarios, and infrastructure alignment.

Reporting and Visual Summaries

We deliver our findings into a clear, visual format complete with maps, diagrams, and recommendations you can share with stakeholders or investors

    Enviromental Design.

    A way of thinking, building, and belonging... for future generations.

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    Sustainability, to us,
    isn’t a checklist.
    It’s a mindset.

    And environmental design is how we bring that mindset to life through architecture that is responsive, resilient, and rooted in place. 
    Before lines are drawn or materials are chosen, we consider what the site is already saying, how water moves, where the sun falls, what systems are in place, and how people might truly experience the space.
    We’ve helped clients shape environments that connect people to place while meeting technical and operational goals, seen in projects like Village 121, Verily’s Irving campus and 3401 Olympus.

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    Design for Nature.

    Our approach to biophilic design isn’t decorative: it’s foundational. We understand the systems such as LEED, FITWELL, WELL, and can guide you through certification with efficiency and clarity.
    These choices support wellness, boost performance, and create deeper emotional connections between people and place.

    Site
    Responsiveness.

    We position buildings based on solar orientation, grading, and natural water flow to reduce impact and enhance comfort.

    Natural System Integration.

    Preserving of vegetation, use of buffers, and protecting open space to strengthen ecosystems and support biodiversity.

    Energy & Resource Efficiency.

    Use of passive systems and high-performance envelopes that reduce energy use and improve long-term building performance.

    Water Management & Resilience.

    Integration of green infrastructure and permeable materials to manage stormwater and adapt to climate challenges.

    Health
    & Wellness

    Natural light, fresh air, and warm materials create environments that support well-being and human connection.

      Client Testimonials.

      Charlotte Jones Anderson

      Dallas Cowboys
      "O'Brien is about incredible architecture. They are an amazing team who works tirelessly, who burn the midnight oil. You talk about people with passion, they are a passionate team. O'Brien has lead us on an epic path of greatness. We are excited to continue with our partnership with Sean and his team."

      Shawn Fulham

      Lincoln Property Company
      "O'Brien has been a truly invaluable partner for Lincoln Property Company over the last 30 years. They have a comprehensive understanding of master planning, mixed use, and all the individual uses and components that make complex projects successful from both a design and financial standpoint. They have a long history of success, and always continue to stay on the cutting edge of design and development."

      Lucy Billingsley

      Billingsley Company
      "Sean O’Brien and team have the creativity, alacrity and flexibility to be great design partners. They listen closely and then bring all the historical architectural smarts and a fresh eye to creating places where you’d like to be. They first think through making the public realm inviting and then enrich that with great architecture."

      Kyle Nix

      Pritchard Associates, Inc.
      "I always enjoy working with the O’Brien team. They are very responsive and efficient, and work well with ownership to help keep projects on time and on budget."

      John Griggs

      Presidium Group, LLC
      "O’Brien, some of the most skilled in the country and truly design iconic structures. The team works hard and commits to every detail. You can expect them to drop everything, meet deadlines, work with the budget. They are just the best."

      Josh Eames

      Presidium Group, LLC
      "O’Brien is one of our most trusted partners. O’Brien team, Your efforts are always top notch and you nail every project out of the park. You are key partner for us."
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      Ready To Cast a Vision?

      Partner with an architectural master planning firm that brings vision and performance together.

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