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When it comes to industrial projects, true success lies in more than just design. It’s about building lasting partnerships that achieve your long-term goals. For decades, we’ve worked alongside industry leaders to deliver functional and functional industrial developments tailored to each client’s specific needs.
Our approach prioritizes collaboration, ensuring that every project reflects shared goals, careful planning, and enduring quality. In this article, we explore how we approach each industrial development from a client-centered perspective, focusing on the process of partnership, vision casting, and delivering results that stand the test of time.
“We build lasting relationships by consistently exceeding expectations. Our clients return to O’Brien for our thoughtful, efficient, and vision-aligned service. We pride ourselves on offering innovative ideas and collaborative design solutions, backed by a friendly, experienced team that makes the process enjoyable.”
Lorelei Mewhirter, Industrial Studio Leader at O’Brien Architects
Client-Centered Approach to Industrial Projects
Our approach to industrial projects begins with understanding the client’s unique needs and fostering a collaborative relationship. We believe that successful industrial developments are born from strong partnerships, where both the client and our team work closely together to shape a vision that aligns with the client’s long-term goals.
For clients like Billingsley Company, it’s about uncovering what’s most important to them. Through open communication and early visioning sessions, we work to understand each project’s functional, aesthetic, and operational priorities. Whether a client comes with a well-defined idea or is looking for guidance, our role is to listen, ask the right questions, and help bring their vision to life to reflect their brand and future ambitions.
Our partnership-driven process allows us to align our designs with the client’s business strategy, ensuring that every project is tailored to their specific requirements. This approach means that whether the client is looking for something highly customized or more streamlined, we’re there every step to ensure the result is efficient and unique to their needs. We view each project as an opportunity to co-create with our clients, developing spaces that meet immediate and long-term demands.
“From the initial consultation to the final walk-through, we prioritize clear communication, collaborative problem-solving, and meticulous attention to detail.”
Lorelei Mewhirter, Industrial Studio Leader at O’Brien Architects
Balancing Creativity and Practicality
Our ability to deliver on various industrial project needs is central to our approach. Whether the project calls for high-end design or a more economical solution, we meet our clients where they are. Our experience spans from creating large, utilitarian tilt-wall boxes to designing unique and visually appealing structures. This flexibility allows us to tailor our services to each client’s specific goals, delivering precisely what they need.
For clients who require industrial buildings that are both functional and visually distinct, our ability to combine creativity with practicality sets us apart. We understand that every project has its own set of demands, and we want to deliver designs that reflect the client’s vision, whether a simple, cost-effective structure or a design that stands out for its high level of detail and aesthetic appeal.
Streamlining the Process
Streamlining the design and development process has become a hallmark of O’Brien Architects’ industrial projects. Under the leadership of our Industrial Studio Leader, Lorelei Mewhirter, we ensure a smooth, consistent approach from start to finish. Having a single point of contact involved in every phase, from site planning to construction, has been instrumental in maintaining clarity and direction throughout each project. Lorelei’s oversight ensures that all teams, from design to production, are aligned with the client’s goals and vision.
Our success also stems from the expertise and dedication of our team members, who bring years of real-world experience and practical knowledge to every project. They are thoughtful, solution-oriented, efficient, and responsive, working collaboratively to address challenges and deliver exceptional results. We prioritize keeping a consistent team throughout the project’s life cycle to ensure nothing gets overlooked and to maintain seamless communication. As we grow and welcome new members, we actively pass down knowledge and lessons learned, continually improving our processes to avoid repeating mistakes.
Over the years, we’ve also built strong relationships with consultants and contractors, treating them as an integral part of our team. This collaboration enhances our ability to deliver comprehensive solutions tailored to each client’s needs. With extensive experience across the DFW area, we’ve developed a deep understanding of navigating diverse jurisdictional requirements, ensuring that every project moves forward efficiently and successfully.
Visioning and Collaboration
We believe that the best designs come from collaboration. When starting a new industrial project, our initial conversations with clients are about casting a shared vision. We must understand their specific needs, values, and goals. This is why we start each project with a visioning session—an opportunity to uncover what the client wants to achieve with their development.
Whether a client has a straightforward design in mind or is looking for guidance, our role is to help refine their vision. We don’t impose our ideas but work as partners to lead and guide the process. By exploring options and providing input through design charrettes, we ensure that each project reflects the client’s aspirations while incorporating our expertise. This collaborative approach allows us to shape functional designs that align with the client’s brand and identity.
A Legacy of Collaboration
Our long-standing relationship with clients like Billingsley Company is a testament to O’Brien Architects’ commitment to partnership and collaboration. We’ve worked on multiple industrial projects together, such as Austin Ranch, Austin Ranch West, and Denton Industrial, each development has brought a shared vision to life.
Every project is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the client’s evolving needs. With Billingsley, we’ve built a partnership that allows us to anticipate what they’re looking for in a project, from site planning to design elements that align with their overall portfolio. For example, our current work at Windhaven and Trinity reflects a continuation of this collaborative spirit, ensuring that we’re always in step with Billingsley’s expectations and long-term goals.
What makes these projects successful is the trust we’ve built over time. Our role extends beyond just delivering drawings; it’s about being a consistent, reliable partner who understands the nuances of each development. This relationship allows us to maintain a seamless workflow, ensuring that each project reflects and highlights our flexibility and adaptability in the industrial space.
“We make moments for our clients. That’s the most important part of what we do as architects. It’s like going to a doctor—you don’t just tell them what you think you have, and they write a prescription. It’s a process of understanding, asking the right questions, and drawing out the best solution.”
Sean O’Brien, CEO at O’Brien Architects
A Partnership Built on Trust
The ongoing partnership between O’Brien Architects and Billingsley Company is rooted in mutual trust and a shared commitment to excellence. Over the years, Billingsley has continuously turned to us for their industrial projects, not just because of the results we deliver but because of the strength of our working relationship. It’s a partnership where both sides know what to expect—reliable outcomes, open communication, and a deep understanding of project goals.
This long-term collaboration speaks to the heart of how we approach client relationships. For us, it’s not just about delivering a building; it’s about creating a predictable and seamless experience that reflects the client’s vision. With Billingsley, this means understanding their priorities and tailoring each project to meet their specific needs while maintaining a strong focus on efficiency and design quality.
Our long-standing partnership with Billingsley showcases our expertise and adaptability in the industrial space. It’s a testament to our ability to align creative vision with the practical demands of industrial development, fostering a collaborative relationship that integrates seamlessly with the client’s team and goals.
“We don’t do any cookie-cutter design unless you ask us to. Some clients have a project where they want to repeat the same building on multiple sites, and we can do that just as easily. But every design that we do is unique. We don’t put our own stamp on it. We design it to the client’s vision and suggest improvements.”
Lorelei Mewhirter, Industrial Studio Leader at O’Brien Architects
Moving Beyond ‘Your Vision’ to a Partnership in Design
We believe extraordinary design is born from collaboration, not simply executing a client’s vision. While it’s essential to understand what the client wants, we view our role as much more than a drafting service. Our approach is centered around creating a collaborative vision, where both the client’s input and our expertise merge to shape something genuinely unique.
This philosophy allows us to build long-term partnerships with clients like Billingsley Company. We focus on understanding what they want to achieve, but we also enhance and elevate that vision by offering guidance, suggestions, and innovative ideas. The process is more than just delivering a design; it’s about creating moments throughout the project that reflect our commitment to service and excellence.
For us, it’s not about imposing our style but helping clients make informed decisions that align with their goals. Whether a client is hands-on and involved in the design process or prefers to leave it in our hands, we welcome their input. However, our value lies in taking that input and refining it into something even better—ensuring that the result is not just a building but a well-crafted solution that stands the test of time.
Expanding Horizons: Evolving Our Role in Industrial Projects
We’ve long embraced the industrial sector as an integral part of our portfolio, even though we’re often associated with high-design, iconic projects. For many years, clients like Billingsley Company have relied on us for industrial developments, yet it’s common for others to be surprised by the breadth of our experience in this space.
While O’Brien may have started with a strong focus on retail, our capabilities have evolved over the decades to include many project types—from multifamily to mixed-use and, yes, industrial. The diversity of our work has allowed us to apply the creativity and design insight we’ve honed on landmark projects, like Twelve Cowboys Way and North Texas PGA, to the more functional world of industrial developments.
This evolution reflects how we approach every client relationship—with a commitment to understanding their needs and delivering tailored solutions, regardless of the project type. Developers familiar with our high-profile work may be surprised to find that we bring the same level of design excellence and strategic thinking to industrial projects, ensuring that each one is thoughtfully crafted to meet immediate operational goals and long-term vision.
Let’s Create OM’G Moments
Creating exceptional experiences starts with a trusted advisor who maximizes every opportunity to create memorable moments. Our team at O’Brien embraces an open, interactive, and imaginative collaborative design approach. To us, realizing your vision takes more than a process and result. It takes a team to guide the journey and form relationships along the way. Let’s build your brand together.
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About O’Brien Architects
At O’Brien Architects, founded by Jack O’Brien in 1974, we are dedicated to leading and guiding through integrity and respect that defines our corporate culture. Based in Dallas, Texas, we blend art with architecture to create unique designs that foster human connections. Our CEO, Sean O’Brien, along with our esteemed leadership team, including Josh Pollard, Kathy Filbert, Robert Evans, Mick Granlund, Ashley Acuff, Lorelei Mewhirter, and Amador Saucedo, lead our firm with a focus on collaboration and innovation. Our mission is to deliver bespoke architectural solutions that fit like a custom-tailored suit without imposing a signature style, ensuring that each project is uniquely yours.
Our work transcends physical spaces; it’s about the human interactions and connections formed along the way. We believe in the power of shared beliefs and values such as empathy, curiosity, and community. This ethos has helped us build lasting relationships with legacy clients like the Blue Star Land, Lincoln Property Company, and Billingsley Company. We approach each project with a spirit of relentless inquiry and constant evolution, ensuring that every design is thoughtful and innovative. Our collaborative, open, and imaginative design process values the journey as much as the destination, creating impactful projects that endure and enrich your brand’s identity and goals.
We are also deeply committed to enriching our community through active partnerships with charitable organizations such as amfAR, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the North Texas Food Bank, and the PGA Northern Texas Section Foundation. Our engagement extends to supporting architectural and housing initiatives through collaborations with the Dallas Architecture Forum, the Interfaith Housing Coalition, and the LeTot Center. Our purpose, vision, and shared beliefs drive us to foster positive change and build stronger, more resilient communities. By partnering with us, your project is realized and enriched through a relationship that values every aspect of your brand.