We were lucky to catch up with DOUGLAS FREDRIKSON recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, DOUGLAS thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

The buildings that i have designed will be the legacy that i will leave behind.

DOUGLAS, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I moved to Phoenix after receiving my undergraduate work in Architecture at Georgia Tech and Kansas State University. ASU had just started a Masters of Solar Architecture and the world was just becoming aware of energy being a critical factor in our lives. I wanted to be on the forefront of understanding this new potential as it related to designing buildings. Architecture historically has always been a response to the local climate in its embodiment and i wanted to see where design and technology could make a difference. All of my design work is rooted in understanding the site and it’s climatic influences….it creates unique responses, and my work is a reflection of that.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I started my journey in the 809’s in an up-and-coming small architectural firm, Cornoyer-Hedrick, focused on Developer work, mostly Commercial Offices and retail. My success and opportunities grew as a result of the firm’s success and a number of successful and award-winning projects i led the design on. This success led to my opportunity to design my first House, First Hotel (The Buttes in Tempe), First Golf Clubhouse (Troon Country Club in Scottsdale), First Restaurant (Top of The Rock). These were lifestyle projects and the benchmark for my practice today.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for me is twofold. First, I run a very personal business where i am involved in not only just the design but follow through entirely with my clients. When you hire me, you get me and not layers of people who manage different aspects of the project. Secondly, i have had the opportunity to work on some very notable projects that people stayed at, played at, drank at, celebrated at, lived at, etc. My body of work is memorable places where memories are made and remembered.

Contact Info:

• Website: dfarchitects.com
• Instagram: @dfarch
• Facebook: Douglas Fredrikson Architects
• Linkedin: Douglas Fredrikson, AIA, NCARB