Happy New Year!
As we embark on 2026, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past year. Marked by various headwinds, Davis Partnership Architects again proved to be resilient through the uncertainty, a testament to the strength of our team and optimism for the future. Collectively, we continued to serve as a leader, furthering the profession and positively impacting the communities we have the honor to partner with.

Commitment to Thought Leadership
We continued to push the industry forward, sharing insights, elevating conversations, and strengthening our role as a trusted voice.

Ann Adams concluded her tenure as President of the American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA), while team members Wendi Ekborg, Emily Johns, Ryan Sampson, and Trent Hinze contributed thought-provoking articles to the Colorado Real Estate Journal’s Health Care & Life Sciences, showcasing our expertise in healthcare design.

Our innovative work also earned national attention: Architectural Record and Modern Steel Construction spotlighted Joe Lear, Josh Perrin, and Animish Kudalkar for their creative use of salvaged steel in Boulder’s new Fire Station #3. Ann Adams and Emily Johns shared critical insights on converting hotels to hospitals during national disasters for AIA Chicago, while Marcell Davis and Jason Bergfalk presented at EIMA, detailing how the Exterior Insulation Finishing System helped bring the vision for One River North to life.

Recognition for individual excellence rounded out the year: Janette Ray was honored as one of the 50 most impactful designers of the past five decades by the American Society of Interior Designers, and Bisnow named Cynthia Steinbrecher a 2025 Innovator in Development and Design for her influence on Denver’s commercial real estate landscape.

Commitment to Design Excellence
Our work earned recognition across multiple sectors, from healing environments to civic safety to hospitality, affirming our reputation as leaders in design.

Vail’s new Precourt Healing Center received an Engineering News Record (ENR) Merit Award in the Healthcare category, while Colorado Christian University’s Armstrong Center earned a Merit Award for Higher Education. Two of our fire station projects – Boulder Fire Station #3 and the Steamboat Fire Station – garnered multiple accolades, including ENR’s Best Government/Public Building and F.I.E.R.O. Design Awards, underscoring our expertise in civic safety design. In hospitality, The Art Hotel and Hotel Maverick continued to rank on Condé Nast Traveler’s list of Best Hotels in the World. Hotel Maverick also earned national attention on The Today Show for its “therapeutic connection to nature”—a testament to the power of thoughtful, place‑driven design.

Commitment to Community
We believe impact happens at the intersection of design and purpose, and this year, that purpose came to life in powerful ways.

Through partnerships with organizations such as the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, WellPower, and The Action Center, we helped advance trauma‑informed permanent supportive housing, offering individuals transitioning from homelessness a stable place to live paired with critical wrap‑around services. We were also honored to support Brent’s Place in expanding their campus, creating a long‑term “home away from home” for families of pediatric and adult patients undergoing treatment for life‑threatening illnesses.

Additionally, our Community Outreach Focus Group led numerous service projects, including the Cleworth Architectural Legacy project, rallying the office in a lemonade fundraiser for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, supporting a Habitat build, contributing monthly to a local food bank, and showing up for signature events like We Care and Children’s Cheer.

Together, these efforts reflect our belief that design extends far beyond buildings – it strengthens communities, uplifts people, and creates pathways to brighter futures.

Commitment to the Future
From mentoring emerging talent to advancing sustainable design, we continued investing in what’s next, ensuring the places we create today contribute to a more resilient tomorrow. Our consistent ranking on ENR’s Top 100 Green Design Firms reflects our commitment to the future, designing efficient buildings that minimize their carbon footprint. Jonathan Fertig continued to advocate for sustainability through his involvement on the AIA Colorado Committee on the Environment and Passive House advocacy. Davis Partnership Architects also participated in the Single Stair Challenge, an international competition to improve spatial efficiency, enhance community interaction, and promote sustainable urban living.

We also strengthened our role in shaping the next generation of designers and innovators. Through our partnership with students from the DU Daniels College of Business, we proudly won the NAIOP 2025 Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge. At CU Boulder’s Environmental Design Colloquium, our team shared insights that broadened perspectives and encouraged students to envision a more sustainable built environment.

Beyond the classroom, our leaders invested personally in mentorship and professional development within the industry. Kate Douglas supported women advancing their careers through ULI’s Breaking the Glass Ceiling program, while John Glenn contributed to the intergenerational dialogue by participating in the Bridging Generations event at this year’s AIA Young Architects Forum.

Lastly, we continue to embrace the future of our firm with new leadership: Justin DiPietro our Director of Landscape Architecture was promoted to Associate Principal and Ben Hanlon took on the new title of Director of Higher Education. We are excited for their leadership as we look ahead.

Together, these efforts—and the elevation of leaders like Justin DiPietro and Ben Hanlon—underscore a simple truth: investing in future thinkers, future practices, and future possibilities ensures our work continues to make a meaningful impact for many years to come.

Here’s to building boldly, beautifully, and with purpose in 2026.
Top middle image of Boulder Fire Station #3 by Thomas Ellis.