O'Brien Newsletter -1st Quarter 2016

O’BR I EN NEW S L ET T ER 1S T QUA R T ER // 2016

28 04 12 19 ISSUE 02 EVOLO SKYEVERYTHING CHANGE WE’RE EMPLOYEE COM- IS IN GROWING: SPOTLIGHT: HIGH- CRAPER PETITION CHANGE TECHNOLOGY MEET OUR RICHARD NEW FACES! NORDYKE LIGHTS: TEASER!

NEXT ISSUE SEE OUR FIRST EVOLO SUBMISSION! A team of designers at O’Brien entered the Evolo Skyscraper competition, an open competition for all architects to design a 21st century skyscraper.

See the final submission in our next issue!

02 SUMMER TEASER!

ARTICLES THIS ISSUE MEET THE TEAM

PATRA PHI L I PS EDITOR/ CONTRIBUTOR

A N DR EW F I N N EY ART EDITOR/ CONTRIBUTOR

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EVERYTHING IS CHANGE

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CHANGE IN TECHNOLOGY

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BARK AND BUILD

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ARE SUCCESS TEAMS

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NEW EMPLOYEES

J O URDAN N EUSTADT PRODUCTION ASSISTANT/ CONTRIBUTOR

THE COMMONS GUE S T C ON TR I B U TO R S RYAN GATHMANN MARK GUEST LORELEI MEWHIRTER

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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COMIC STRIP

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THE GRAND COOKIE CAPER

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: RICHARD NORDYKE

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UPCOMING EVENTS - STAY ACTIVE!

ABOUT 03

“It’s time to evolve a little bit…”

4 EVERYTHING IS CHANGE

EVERYTHING IS CHANGE

by Andrew Finney

With new leadership in 2014, even more change came to O’Brien Architects in 2015. With a new brand identity, website, and the most significant remodel of our office in a couple decades, our corporate culture adapted to a new season of leadership and growth.

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6 EVERYTHING IS CHANGE

FROM BRAND AMBASSADOR TO CORPORATE CULTURE

Jack O’Brien, our founder and namesake, has long been the brand ambassador at O’Brien. Just over 40 years ago with a typewriter and drafting board, Jack started his own practice. In the first eight years he built a solid portfolio of warehouses, retail, and office buildings. By the mid 80’s Jack had upwards of 85 people working for him; and even when the savings and loan crash dwindled that number to single digits he was able to jump in his car and geographically outrun the recession. Thanks to Jack’s car we survived that recession and recovered to our previous size by the middle of the next decade.

Today we’ve come out of another recession and we’re growing at a frequency we haven’t in almost a decade . While we’ve been lucky to recruit some with mid to high levels of experience, we also have so many young employees that they’ve established their own happy hour.

Currently we are two years into a 5 year buyout. That means in 3 years Jack O’Brien will mostly be retired. 2015 was our second full year under new leadership, since David Culbertson replaced Jack as acting president. While we are still accustomed to seeing him a couple days a week, it is no longer Jack’s role to win new projects or save the company. Nor is it solely the role of our executive team. “This is your company,” says David Culbertson at our company address.

Being in this state of transition, our new logo and name serves a similar purpose. Our name isn’t that different, in fact we’ve been called O’Brien Architects before. Our logo still has the same mark, with a timeless but more modern sans-serif, Gotham, bearing our name. As our experienced employees gripe about Revit, our twenty-somethings can’t believe they had to work in AutoCAD this week. With such a diversity in skillsets and job experience, how do we collectively move forward as a company? Better yet, how does Jack’s expertise live on after he’s gone?

EVERYTHING IS CHANGE

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8 EVERYTHING IS CHANGE

• CULTURE IS EVERYTHING Our corporate culture is everything. During the latter half of the remodel twelve of us shared a large desk space in a conference room and the culture significantly shifted. It was as if this “inconvenience” was designed as an incubator for a new corporate culture at O’Brien. The close proximity of my project team challenged us to collaboratively problem-solve without being a nuisance. We took personality tests, shared the results so we could best interact with each other, and every Friday shared a potluck breakfast.

Corporate culture consists of physical and digital space. The new physical space may not foster (or force) the same level of camaraderie as shoving twelve people into a conference room, but removing the physical barriers between production and design has made both divisions more accessible to each other and to our clients.

But our digital environment has had to adapt as well. Utilizing tools like Slack channels as virtual offices is one example of how our new physical space has caused us to re-think how we communicate and collaborate digitally. The most visited page on our new website is the Team page, where you’ll find a profile for every employee with a bio describing his or her credentials. Each person’s profile is tied to our blog, giving them an opportunity to share their expertise and contribute content. These profiles allow employees to take more ownership in the company and leverage more control over their career.

• MORE COLLABORATION One of the main goals of the new space is to foster collaboration.

Last February when I arrived at O’Brien I was led to a cubicle in what appeared to be the back corner of our office. I soon learned that the shower curtain surrounding half my cubicle loosely defined what was once several walls and offices dividing our production teams from design. This construction barrier was like an art installation paying homage to an era soon to pass.

Debates about cubicle heights and the visibility of wall colors from opposite ends of the space fueled an atmosphere of excitement about this wide-open space that would now be our office. And now that it’s done, I must say that I’m proud to have advocated to cut our cubicles down three feet (even though I lost).

EVERYTHING IS CHANGE 9

10 EVERYTHING IS CHANGE

But our open concept office and new huddle tables cannot facilitate healthy collaboration alone. After a trial run with our designers, introducing Slack to the entire office has offered a solution to the endless distractions that come with an open office. Slack channels become virtual offices where information can be exchanged and questions can be answered without adding more noise to our physical space. Checking in with a teammate is as simple as sending a direct message, all of which can be easily tracked as our channels become more granular and organized.

• FEWER WORKER BEES We did not spend $100k on our new website. Given our modest budget we knew that the process of building a new website would be a collaboration. Squires & Company was the perfect partner because they allowed us to leverage the strengths of our most important asset: our people. Amador Saucedo and Gary Angle are not just talented designers, they are skilled photographers that collaborate well. As we self-performed most of the video and photography, Squires integrated our work into a website that authentically expresses our corporate culture.

Amador and Gary are just two examples of O’Brien employees that have a versatile skill set that allows them to fill different roles on different project types. Moving forward our leadership envisions the roles of each employee at O’Brien less defined by “design” or “production.” We’ve already started placing some of our newest faces on projects in both design and production, causing them to think conceptually and visually on one end of a project, while learning how to manage and implement a set of construction documents at the other end. Future leaders at O’Brien will have versatile skillsets that allow them to tackle a project at various stages…less worker bees, more highperformance problem solvers.

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12 CHANGE IN TECHNOLOGY

Change in Technology

by Ryan Gathmann

While AEC industries have traditionally been slow to adopt new technology, we don’t have to remain static.

Technology is changing the world around us at an ever increasing pace but architecture, construction and real estate industries have failed to keep up. Evidence of the rapidly rising tides of technology can be seen in industries all around us. Since the Great Recession corporate investment in technology and automation is growing at a record pace, decreasing the demand for jobs and driving corporate profits to record highs. Super retailers like Amazon are building intelligent automated warehouses and soon to come drone based delivery systems to make online shopping cheaper and more accessible than ever. Autodesk along with aerospace and automotive designers is developing generative design tools to design and 3D print stronger and lighter parts for airplanes and cars. While AEC industries have traditionally been slow to adopt new technology, the velocity at which we adopt BIM modeling, building simulations, and digital fabrication is accelerating.

THE WORLD AROUND US: AUTOMATION VS. AUGMENTATION

While many industries are being revolutionized through automation, the AEC industry is being revolutionized through augmentation.

Augmentation uses the computation to analyze large amounts of data and quick provide critical insight on performance or find an optimal solution to a complex problem. At O’Brien Architects, the first step to building a more intelligent process was the adoption of building information model, otherwise known as BIM. BIM is a process rather than a tool. BIM supports decision making by embedding project intelligence direction into a digital construction model. It is this combination of data and model that provides us with a platform for augmentation. During design, BIM allows us to quickly iterate through a cycle of modeling, simulation and analysis. This rapid feedback loop allows us to make near realtime decisions that can improve building performance, energy efficiency or even occupant satisfaction. During production and construction, BIM improves communication and allows for the integration of new manufacturing methods.

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A PIECE OF O’BRIEN’S FIRST PHYSICAL MODEL TO INCOPORATE BOTH TRADITION MODEL-MAKING METHODS AND 3D PRINTING

14 CHANGE IN TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY AT O’BRIEN

2016 is a huge step forward for O’Brien Architects. In addition to fully implementing Autodesk Revit, a BIM platform, we feel it is critical to ask tough questions and search for better answers.

Internally, better answers can be found through a cultural commitment to research as we focus on technologies that optimize building performance through simulation and analysis.

Externally, our passion for research has lead us to collaborate with local universities on computational and material science research to improve the performance and efficiency of building systems such as tilt wall. We hope to build strategic partnerships with our clients, consultants and contractors that will create a critical mass of knowledge and resources that can fuel meaningful advancement of technology throughout the industry.

For the past 40 years, O’Brien Architects has worked tirelessly alongside our consultants and contractors to bring unsurpassed value and design to our client’s projects. Today, O’Brien Architects is more dedicated than ever to asking the right questions and pursuing answers the challenging problems. While architecture has traditionally been slow to adopt new technologies, we don’t have to remain static. We are excited to start a meaningful dialog about how technologies impact an architect.

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THE DESIGN

THE FINISHED PRODUCT

16 BARK + BUILD

Sean O’Brien, Steffen Staiger, Lorelei Mewhirter, Jourdan Neustadt, Amador Saucedo, & Chris Smithhart

by Lorelei Mewhirter

BARK + BUILD Bark + Build is a doghouse design/build competition presented

by AIA Dallas and TEXO Association. This first annual competition paired 18 teams of architects and contractors who designed and built one of kind luxury dog houses that were displayed at North Park Center from Nov. 16th through Dec. 7th.

Raffle tickets were sold to the public raising over $44,000 for the SPCA of Texas. 100% of the proceeds will go to their mission to rescue, heal, and find loving homes for pets in need.

O’Brien Architects was excited to pair with EMJ Construction for the event. Sean O’Brien, Steffen Staiger, Lorelei Mewhirter, Jourdan Neustadt, and Amador Saucedo came together to form the O’Brien team, and developed a design called “The Lookout”.

THE LOOKOUT

THE LOOKOUT is for the curious dog that always needs to know the origin of every sound. With the ability to instantly view out from the house, “Lookity” will be able to protect the yard from trespassers on his master’s turf. Constructed of veneer plywood painted with a super glossy orange and white finish, this doggy abode will be low maintenance and able to withstand the elements.

The minimalistic open air design responds to the regional climate, but at the same time offers a shelter from inclement weather.

Integrated dog bowls will keep food and water at a paw’s reach.

Our space makes for a lively, independent and clever little dog.

THE WINNERS

A panel of judges selected 6 winners: • Enviro Dog Award: Malone Maxwell Borson Architects and Manhattan Construction Group for the Canine Eco-Cabin.

• Teacup Pup Award: BOKA Powell and T&G Constructors for the Midcentury K9 House.

• Big Dog Award: BRW and Sedalco Construction Services for the Canine Cabana.

• Most Innovative Award: OMNIPLAN and Abstract Construction for the Wilson Mansion.

• Hot Dog Award (runner up): The Beck Group and Alliance Glazing Technologies for the Pup Pavilion.

• Best in Show (1st place): GFF and Ridgemont Commercial Construction for Benchy Bungalow.

• The People’s Choice: award is given to the dog house that received the most raffle tickets. Mohment Architecture and Rogers O’Brien Construction took home that award with their design The Pad.

BARK + BUILD 17

ARE Success Teams with AIA

by Patra Phillips

The AIA is offering reduced fees for study material and will organize study teams to help get you through the ARE. While anyone who hasn’t received their eligibility to test from NCARB can’t make this go-round, please submit your name to the email below to be eligible for the next.

WHAT IS A SUCCESS TEAM? • Enrollment in this program will provide access to the materials needed to study for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) at a reduced price.

• All participants are organized into study teams, wherein you can benefit from the support and resources of other interns who are also in the process of taking the ARE. • Through participation in this accelerated study arrangement, all participants should take all seven sections of the ARE within a one-year period.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN A SUCCESS TEAM? • Any and all interns who are ready to take the ARE and have filled out the online application at www.ncarb.org. NCARB will send you an email notification when you are made eligible to take the ARE. • If you are not yet eligible to test please submit your name to AIADallasAssociates@gmail.com and indicate your interest in joining a future group. We will keep you on our e-mail list and notify you when the next round of groups will be formed.

WHY SHOULD YOU PARTICIPATE IN A SUCCESS TEAM? • Many interns have difficulties taking the ARE because they feel isolated and unsupported. The Success Teams offer an opportunity for interns to have support, share successes (and failures) and get questions answered.

• The Success Teams program’s structure stimulates interns to stick to a schedule & not delay testing/studying.

• The program provides access to study materials in cost of registration. *Pre-registration is required as program space is limited www.aiadallas.org

• Cost to participate is $250 for members and $325 for non-members • The deadline to register is January 20, 2016 • Success Teams Kick-Off Night is January 26, 2016 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

18 ARE SUCCESS TEAM

“I decided to pursue architecture because I saw firsthand the positive impact it had on these kids and the community.�

-Vania Franco Our company is growing! From experienced wisdom to ripe young talent, all of our new faces bring a fresh perspective and diverse experience to the table.

NEW EMPLOYEES 19

Meet Our New Employees!

by Lorelei Mewhirter, Patra Phillips, and Andrew Finney

daniel hernandez was born and

raised in Dallas, Texas. It was by taking Architecture classes in High School where he discovered architecture was the perfect mix of the things he likes the most: the Arts and the Sciences.

Daniel graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington and enjoys designing as well as getting into the nuts and bolts of construction documents.

He really enjoys seeing how everything actually comes together.

billy batac is from Denton, Texas.

Billy is a returning O’Brien employee.

His last employer was Peterbilt Motors Company where he worked as a

20 NEW EMPLOYEES

Release Engineer, drafting production drawings and facilitated the selection of bills of materials for medium duty and Class 8 trucks. He has experience in both Production & Design. Not only is he proficient in AutoCAD, but he is also well-verse in 3-D modeling, Photoshop & Illustrator. He is very excited to learn Revit.

gi-hyong kim is from Seoul, South

Korea. He moved to Oklahoma to attend the University of Oklahoma where he received both his Bachelor and Master of Architecture. His architectural experience in Texas spans more than 10 years and he has done projects all around the world, including projects

Texas Tech University, and has worked at SHW, GDA Architects, and O’Brien.

She has a lot of experience with code reviews, putting together CDs and jobsite visits.

JOSHUA HALLETT is from Colleyville,

Texas. He attended The University of Texas at Arlington for both his Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree in Architecture. His primary studio focus at the graduate level involved a high degree of exploration into parametric, algorithmic based design strategies.

“While my design ethos and tastes tend to be more traditional, I am thoroughly interested in leveraging code to automate and streamline repetitious or tedious tasks. “

phillip caekaert is from the Casa in Asia, USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Prior to working at O’Brien Architects, Gi-Hyong worked for FAB Studio, Three Architecture, and Forrest Perkins here in Dallas. His specialties include hospitality, luxury residential, and senior living project types as well as technical documentation. He speaks fluent Korean.

Holly Sumruld

is a returning employee to O’Brien. Holly grew up in Mexia, Texas and got into architecture because she loves creating tangible things and working through complex issues.

Holly got her degree from

View area of East Dallas. He attended Texas Tech University for his Bachelor of Science degree.

Phillip got into Architecture circuitously through Engineering. He attended an Engineering Magnet School in South Dallas and found a divergent path to Architecture. “These people thought about things only I wondered about, and talked about them in a way that only I did. Until that point - no one had been speaking my language - Architecture.”

ryan gathmann was born in Oma-

ha but spent most of his life in Kingwood, Texas,receiving undergrad and graduate degrees from Texas Tech.

Architecture and engineering were always of interest to Ryan. “Traveling to places like New York, London and Paris in middle and high school I think really opened my eyes to the world of architecture.” Ryan previously worked for HKS where he helped found an advanced technologies group called HKS LINE where he lead the computational and coordination efforts for the facades of two NFL stadiums.Ryan’s area of expertise is in practice technology and design. He is most interested in the ways technology can shape our industry.

vania franco was born and raised

in El Paso, Texas. She attended architecture school at Texas Tech where she also earned her MBA. Vania’s design experience dates to her senior year in high school, where she was able to design an addition for the El Paso Child Crisis Center. which was approved by the City and funded with a grant. “I decided to pursue architecture because I saw firsthand the positive impact it had on these kids and the community.”

Prior to moving to Dallas to work with OBA, she worked with Guillermo Barajas in El Paso on a research project focusing on border conditions along the Rio Grande between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez proposing habitable bridge strategies for the area.

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THE CO M M ONS

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O’BRIEN’S FIRST CROSSWORD PUZZLE!

COOKING CLASS FOR ARCHITECTS

THE GREAT EMPLOYEE COOKIE CAPER SPOTLIGHT: RICHARD NORDYKE

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UPCOMING EVENTS

EXPLORE DALLAS WITH KWEST!

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O’BRIEN’S FIRST CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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BY DEREK DIZON

Across 3. The architect who designed Fountain Place, The Meyerson, Dallas City Hall, and One Dallas Center.

5. You shouldn’t come to work if you are running one.

8. The greatest Dallas Cowboys find themselves here.

12. Steel is a commonly used building material for covering long spans because it has this type of strength.

15. O’Brien’s newest building in Frisco Square.

16. What kind of engineer designs the building slab?

18. This is the acronym for our state’s umbrella occupational regulatory agency.

19. Abbreviation for a detail that is nearly identical to an existing detail.

20. The shorthand part of the design phase where permit drawings are produced.

Down 1. We trust this kind of designer with layouts, finishes, and furniture selections among many other things.

2. Jack champions this standard for designing the floor plans of retail buildings.

4. A solid support designed to sustain vertical pressure.

6. Nuala will hunt you down to fill this out 7. A ground sign generally having a low profile with little or no open space between the ground and a sign and having a structure constructed of masonry, wood, or materials similar in appearance as approved by the building official.

9. The State of Texas uses this standard for accessibility (acronym) 10. Company events and highlights can be found at this location on our website.

11. _______ Art Museum is by Louis Kahn had a relatively recent addition designed by Renzo Piano.

13. The shorthand name for the building phase where the architect oversees construction.

14. A great place to work!

24 THE COMMONS

THE COMMONS 25

pearance of each cookie varies by location, even if it has the same name!

“why is that?” you ask

The Great Cookie Caper

by Jourdan Neustadt

it’s that time of year It has come again…the time of year when your new year’s resolution to “eat healthier” goes out the window with the purchase of two (…or ten) brightly colored boxes.

It’s Girl Scout Cookie season.

Nowhere is a safe— grocery stores, Targets, even your office (thanks Alison & Ashley).

But when you open your favorite box of Girl Scout cookies this year, be prepared for a change. The flavor & ap-

26 THE COMMONS

It is because there are two licensed Girl Scout Cookie bakers, ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers. While ABC has baked cookies for the Girl Scouts since 1937, Little Brownie has only been making the always delicious cookies for just a few decades. Multiple bakers mean a variation in cookie content, appearance & sometimes even different names. For example, while ABC bakers make a cookie with coconut shavings and milk chocolate, known as “Caramel deLite,” Little Brown Bakers makes the more caramel-heavy, darker chocolate “Samoa.”

even more differences!?

The differences get even more significant from there.

Each baker puts their own spin to five of the other signature cookies, altering everything from texture and taste, to sugar and fat content. A more drastic example is what is traditionally known as a “Tagalong.” In certain parts of the country, this delectable cookie is known as a “Peanut Butter Patty” which, ironically, has less peanut

butter layers than the Tagalong.

Are they even the same Cookie?

The biggest variation is arguably between “Lemonades” and “Savannah Smiles.” While the latter is a powdered sugar confection, the former is a shortbread that costs more per unit & contains at least twice the amount of sugar per cookie. Even if you prefer one over the other, we can all agree that one is not a substitute for the other.

It’s great to be aware of the difference so when you open a box & think to yourself “these are different from last year right?” you won’t worry you’re going crazy. At the end of the day, they’re all delicious, mouth-watering cookies that are all ruining our diets. Don’t fret over the manufacturer, just enjoy.

Images & article sources: http://graphics.latimes.com/girlscout-cookies/ h t t p : // 4 l l a m a s . c o m / tech/2012/02/01/the-great-girlscout-cookie-baker-showdown/

Can you tell the difference?

Map of bakery distribution locations (taken from the LA times).

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from The University of Texas. He’s been married to his wife, Vicki, for 33 years, with furry and feathered family members including a snoodle, 3 cats, and a cockatoo.

This Texan counts cooking and hunting among his many talents.

Employee Spotlight: Richard Nordyke

by Lorelei Mewhirter With nearly 40 years of experience as an architect, owner’s representative, and construction manager, Richard brings multifaceted wisdom to our team. In fact, he is approaching the two decade mark as an invaluable asset at O’Brien Architects. Understanding client needs and adapting service to accomplish client goals is always a top priority. Richard’s real world expertise is backed by a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture with Honors

28 THE COMMONS

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I am terrified of heights…bad if you’re an Architect!

do you have any pets?

3 cats, 2 dogs, and a parrot.

They are our kids and each has their own personalities.

what project has been the most memorable in your career and why?

what is the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

First City Center, a fifty story office building for Cadillac Fairview. I was in charge of production and had the opportunity to work with some of the best consultants in DFW.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve traveled to and why?

What are you grateful for?

Zip line over the jungle canopy in Mexico.

Chicago…it is a living museum of Architecture.

My wife of 33 years.

what do you do for fun?

I love to cook…it’s even better when it turns out edible!

What was your first job?

Washing dishes at Hubbard’s Cafeteria in Richardson.

What is the “oddest” job you’ve ever had?

Waxed the fiberglass surface of a giant slide with paraffin and a burlap sack…60 feet in the air.

crossword answers: Across 3. I M Pei 5. Fever 8. Ring of Honor 12. Tensile 15.

Gearbox 16. Structural 18.

TDLR 19. SIM 20. CD Down 1. Interior 2. Five Foot Module 4. Peir 6. Timesheet 7. Monument 9. TAS 10. Blog 11. Kimbell 13. CA 14.

Obrien 17. Respect

GOT TALENT OUT YOUR YIN YANG? NEED A CREATIVE OUTLET?

WELL HOP

WE NEED WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, AND DESIGNERS TO JOIN OUR TEAM! patra.philips@obrienarch.com

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CYCLE FOR SURVIVAL

Fight cancer February 6th by riding with Cycle for Survival, the national movement to beat rare cancers. 100% of every dollar raised at the indoor cycling events goes to clinical trials, research studies, & innovative initiatives. Teams across the country register to ride for a 4-hour shift—with 4 to 8 riders per bike. Contact Mark Guest if interested.

2016 Mardi gras parade & festival Can’t Can’t get

UPCOMING EVENTS

down to the “BIG EASY” for Mardi Gras? They’ll bring it to you! Come out on February 9th from 10am-6pm & enjoy great food, great fun & great festivities. Remember to wear the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold.

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!

by Jourdan Neustadt

Form follows fitness Need some exercise & want to support a cause close to your heart (i.e. architecture)? Then Form Follows Fitness is the perfect event for you! This fun 5K benefits the Dallas Center for Architecture. You’ll get a dry fit shirt with an inventive design at registration.After the event there will be food, & more importantly, brew! Registration is $30 until 02/14, $35 from 02/1502/18, & $40 Race Day. For those with kids, they offer discounted prices for any that want to run with you.

Contact Jourdan Neustadt if interested in participating. www.formfollowsfitness.com

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www.cycleforsurvival.org

Creatures of light, nature’s This bioluminescence ongoing event at the Perot Museum explores the natural phenomenon of ‘living light’ with a vast array of organisms, from the flickering fireflies in your backyard to the deepsea fishes in our oceans’ darkest depths. Come visit this event before it leaves on February 21st!

GPS compass-navigation, image recognition and even augmented reality. Watch, as Dallas comes to life through the eyes of your smartphone.

And did we mention Kwest is FREE? (For a limited time only.)

KWEST

by Patra Philips

kwest

Do you hear that?

That’s Dallas calling you. Yes, you. Calling you to come explore all it has to offer. So ditch the status quo and find your Kwest: a scavenger hunt reimagined for the digital age.

Using your smartphone as a guide, Kwest allows people to embark on a unique journey through different areas of Dallas, learn new things about familiar (or unfamiliar) places, and earn discounted swag from local merchants, as well as digital currency.

You’ll navigate your way through town via location-based riddles & puzzles,

Currently, you can experience Kwest firsthand in Bishop Arts District, Dallas Arts District, Deep Ellum, historic downtown Grapevine, and Denton, TX. Coming to Arlington and Coppell soon!

Download Kwest from the App Store to see what’s near you! (Kwest only operates on iOS devices at this time. Sorry, Android.)

Anyone interested in getting a group together contact Patra Philips or Andrew Finney.

UPCOMING EVENTS 27-jan Women in Architecture Happy Hour (6:00-8:00 PM) 28-jan IIDA ZeroLandfill Sustainability CEU: Life Cycle Thinking (6:00-8:30 PM) 4-FEB Getting to Zero: Tour of Net Zero Building with AIA (4:00-5:30 PM) 6-feb Cycle for Survival 9-feb Mardi Gras Parade & Festival 9-feb DFCA Forum Panel: The Social Initiative (6:30 PM) 16-feb AIA Guest Lecture Series: David Riz (5:30 PM) 20-feb DCFA Form Follows Fitness 21-feb Creatures of Light exhibit at the Perot Museum ends 24-FEB Women in Architecture Happy Hour (6:00-8:00 1-mar Getting to Zero: Marketing Realities (1:00-5:00 PM) 3-mar DFCA Fourm Lecture: Abalos and Sentkiewicz 8-mar DFCA Fourm Panel: Remaking the City 11-13 mar Structural Systems Seminar with David Thaddeus 19-mar Greenville Ave. 37th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival

h t t p s : //w w w.y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=xraG0ulMkqw

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L IK E WH AT YO U R EAD ?

F OLLO W U S! /OBrienArchitects

www.OBrienArch.com

info@OBrienArch.com