Architect - Justice+Civic

Conran and Partners acquired by US design firm DLR Group. 24 September 2026 Luxury interiors and architecture practice to become 'boutique design brand' within wider employee-owned group Conran and Partners has joined US-headquartered multi-disciplinary firm DLR Group as its first studio in Europe. The London and Hong Kong-based architecture and interiors firm will continue to operate as Conran and Partners and will be positioned as a luxury, boutique design brand within DLR Group. Only logged in subscribers have access to it. A subscription to Building Design will provide: * Unlimited architecture news from around the UK * Reviews of the latest buildings from all corners of the world * Full access to all its online archives * PLUS you will receive a digital copy of WA100 worth over £45.

Everett council approves purchase of $3.5M property for stadium. Published 10:30 am Thursday, September 3, 2026 EVERETT - The Everett City Council gave the go-ahead Wednesday to purchase another piece of property for a proposed stadium in the city's downtown, the sixth piece of property the city has bought for the project thus far. The council paid for the $3.5 million plot of land at 2303 Pacific Ave. via an interfund loan - also approved Wednesday - that borrowed from the city's general fund. So far, the city has spent about $18.1 million to buy six pieces of property where the proposed stadium, known as the Outdoor Event Center, would be built - if it is eventually approved by the city council. Everett has a budget of $35 million for the property acquisitions and plans to eventually acquire 17 parcels if the project goes forward. Everett has now allocated about $23.2 million to the proposed stadium project, including approximately $7.2 million in capital dollars and $16 million in loans from its general fund. That money has gone toward consultant fees, site studies, design of the stadium and initial property purchases. The city plans to pay eventually back its general fund loans by approving a bond measure, backed by the stadium's future revenue, to pay for a large portion of the stadium's construction costs. The City Council still hasn't given final approval to build the project. That would only come after the city creates a financial plan on how to fund it, which isn't yet complete. A funding plan is expected to be announced publicly by the end of September, city projects manager Scott Pattison said at an Aug. 19 council meeting. It's unlikely, however, that the council would turn back on the project now, as the city could see a significant hit to its general fund if it fails to repay the loans it has issued to pay for the project. The council voted 4-1 to approve the loan and the property purchase on Wednesday. Two council members, Luis Burbano and Don Schwab, were absent. Council member Judy Tuohy voted against, stating that she wasn't comfortable using loans from the general fund without a full financial plan for the stadium project in place. "It's my understanding that we are expecting a full financial report of the project hopefully by the end of the month, and I know staff is working hard on it, but they still have a lot of things that need to fall into place," Tuohy said. Pattison said he brought forward the measure to purchase this property before Everett has released its financial plan because the owner of the parcel gave the city a good price, he said, but the deal was contingent on a quick closing. If built, the stadium is expected to host the minor league Everett AquaSox, along with men's and women's United Soccer League teams. Everett has been working on the stadium project since 2022 after Major League Baseball announced new regulations for minor league stadiums that the AquaSox's current home, Funko Field, didn't meet. It settled on the possibility of building a new stadium in the city's downtown to allow enough room for a soccer field, a proposal that officials said would bring in more revenue because two new soccer teams could occupy the stadium. The city has estimated the cost of the stadium at about $120 million. Along with the funding from the bond package, Everett also plans to get money for the project from the AquaSox and soccer league - about $17 million in upfront capital contributions - as well as funding committed by the state and Snohomish County. The baseball team and soccer league have committed to financial terms of a lease, staff working on the project have previously said, that would see them contribute about $100 million in lease payments over the next 30 years. The United Soccer League still needs to find an ownership group to purchase the expansion teams, which come with multi-million-dollar price tags. The league has hired a consultant to do so, Pattison said on Aug. 21. Everett also plans to announce two other funding partners later this month that are set to contribute to the project, Pattison has said. According to Pattison, the contractors that Everett selected to design the project - Bayley and DLR Group - were expected to bring a proposed guaranteed maximum price for the stadium to the mayor's office by Monday. The city is using a "progressive design-build" process for the project, meaning designers and contractors are working in tandem before construction begins to reduce costs. Everett currently has two eminent domain lawsuits ongoing in Snohomish County Superior Court against the owners of three properties at 3001 Smith Ave., 3001 Broadway and 3011 Broadway. On Monday, a court commissioner, Solomon Kim, ruled in one of the cases that the proposed stadium met the requirements for acquiring property through eminent domain, as the stadium would be a public use, the ruling read. The council plans to vote next week on an ordinance allowing the city to go forward with another condemnation lawsuit against the owners of 2931 McDougall Ave., though that would not guarantee another lawsuit would be filed. If built, the stadium would seat 5,000 people, situated between Pacific Avenue and Hewitt Avenue along Broadway, just east of the Angel of the Winds Arena. Officials are hoping to open the stadium quickly, with a goal of completing it by the end of 2027.

Designing what's next: three leaders join DLR Group to shape the future of campus life. (Denver, Sept. 3, 2026) - The next generation of learners deserve campuses designed for the future of education. It's a belief that drives DLR Group's Higher Education Sector, and it's shared by three new accomplished designers joining the firm. DLR Group recently welcomed Mary Gallagher, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C; Susan Morgan, AIA, LEED AP BD+C; and Whitney Pearce, AIA, LEED AP. The three bring more than 55 years of combined experience to DLR Group, where they will help plan and design the sustainable, human-centered academic environments of the future. The hires are another move to align DLR Group's regional efforts with a broader global vision to grow its higher education campus design work. With increasing enrollment numbers and a diverse array of public and private institutions, both California and the Northeast represent important regions in higher education today and looking toward the future. Mary, Susan, and Whitney each bring their own unique experience to their respective roles at DLR Group while sharing a passion for fostering student success and supporting institutional goals through design excellence. By bringing their expertise to these two important regions, the three will deliver campus environments that achieve just that, moving the needle for institutions to make a real impact on their communities." Principal and senior interior designer Mary Gallagher, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C. Over her 25 years of experience in the Higher Education Sector, Gallagher has created and led interior design strategies for complex academic, research, healthcare, and life sciences projects. Her portfolio centers on projects in highly technical learning and research environments that incorporate sustainability, innovation, and user experience into their interior designs. At DLR Group, Gallagher will design academic spaces that meet the needs of the students and communities they serve while furthering broader institutional goals. She's passionate about interior design that promotes wellness, neurodiversity, and student success. "My motivation and foundational goal is always to support institutions as they evolve, building on the ways their success impacts the community's growth and vitality," Gallagher said. "Investing in innovative Higher Ed design raises expectations everywhere and advances the standards for quality education across the board." Gallagher's past work includes projects for leading higher education and healthcare institutions across the United States like Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Harvard University, Princeton University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Penn State Health. She has served as lead interior designer on projects recognized with multiple International Interior Design Association awards, including a national IIDA interior design award. Principal and Higher Education Leader Susan Morgan, AIA, LEED AP BD+C. Through more than 20 years of design leadership experience, Morgan's portfolio includes renovation, adaptive reuse, and the creation of resilient, forward-thinking campus environments. Stepping into her role at DLR Group, Morgan will use this experience to foster strong relationships with higher education clients across the Northeast. Morgan's experience in higher education means she herself is an active participant in the campus environment, giving her a unique perspective as she works on academic projects. "As a former researcher, current teacher, and lifelong participant in the design of spaces of learning, I'm so energized by the work DLR Group is doing and I'm inspired to work alongside our teams and clients to create learning environments that make a lasting difference," Morgan said. Morgan is engaged in the architecture community both nationally and in Boston, serving as vice chair of the American Institute of Architects Committee on Architecture for Education and as co-chair of the Boston Society for Architecture's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Network. Principal and Higher Education client Leader Whitney Pearce, AIA, LEED AP. Over her decade-plus career, Pearce has combined collaborative leadership with the kind of design rigor that DLR Group's California clients need as they pursue ambitious campus projects. Her past work includes complex, nationally recognized projects using design-build and progressive design-build delivery methods. Pearce will strengthen the firm's ability to partner with California's vast network of colleges and universities - including both public and private institutions - to align campus development strategies with institutional priorities. "I believe great design is measured by the impact it has on the people and communities it serves - and by the care and craftsmanship that bring it to life," Pearce said. "I'm passionate about using storytelling to connect people to a project's vision, helping diverse stakeholders find common ground and see how design can support the institution's mission." Pearce also contributes to industry leadership in the region through roles with the City of San Diego's Climate Advisory Board, the San Diego Green Building Council, and the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation. By bringing on this new talent into its Higher Education practice, DLR Group is reinforcing its commitment to designing campus environments that promote success for students, institutions, and broader communities. For media queries, please contact: Marguerite Munoz, Media Relations Leader Firm news.