DES Architects + Engineers

Our firm has a culture of professional training, health awareness, and community involvement. We foster this culture within our firm by supporting the staff’s spirit and interests while involving the firm with the organizations within our community.

INVESTING in Professional Development
Our approach to support the growth of the next generation of architects includes a $65,000 per year career development program, biweekly lunch n’ learn seminars, and an annual, seven-week peer-to-peer educational lecture series. The educational lecture series, called High Tea Talks, is an opportunity to casually gather together and for one employee to share an interest with colleagues. The wide-variety of subject matters produce thought and dialogue outside normal architectural discussions ranging from how a biodynamic vineyard operates to the intricacies of Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong. To support the growth of our employees, we have invested into multi-day seminars to improve verbal communication, presentation delivery, and effective client care. Within the last three years, our firm has spent over 8,200 hours and $408,500 towards in-house and outside training. Our company collaboration goes beyond working to solve design challenges, but ultimately forming a distinct culture of constant growth.

SUPPORTING Youth Education and Community Health
Extending a culture of lifelong learning and stewardship, the firm promotes and champions education as a critical element to community growth and betterment. To support this, DES regularly host school tours for K-12 classes, this often includes an interactive seminar about the architectural profession, and then, a tour of the office to meet the various different teams. Participation in on-campus mentorship classes has also been an important part of the firm’s efforts.
In addition to youth education, DES shares the company’s passion for wellness with the broader community. The bi-annual health fair is a cornerstone program of these efforts. DES encourages the local community to attend and hosts a large group of wellness-related vendors to provide resources to encourage a proactive approach to healthy lifestyles. This year, a Stanford-sponsored blood drive and Sutter Health’s blood pressure booth were popular attractions. Ongoing firm participation with health-related organizations is also of importance. Firm leaders are involved in associations such as the Pacific Stroke Association and Sequoia Hospital Foundation. DES annually sends multiple teams to the local American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, raising money and spreading awareness for heart-related diseases.

Contributing to the Architectural Community
Our firm has been committed to the architectural community for over 25 years. DES’ Principals are long-time leaders in the community serving on city architecture review boards, University advisory boards, and the AIA California Architectural Foundation board. In addition, firm leaders have been past president’s of AIA Chapters and have been recognized as citizen architects for contributing to their community. To influence the architectural community, we understand we have to go beyond architecture. As a result, within the last three years we have volunteered 1,500 hours towards professional architectural and engineering associations.