In the News

The Changing Face of Texas Architecture, Engineering and Interior Design

Over the past 75 years, Texas has undergone a remarkable transformation, driven by population growth, urbanization, technological advancements, and a dynamic economy. The impact of these changes is visibly evident in the buildings and spaces that shape our communities. Since 1950, O’Connell Robertson has been a trusted partner in this evolution, providing architecture, engineering, and interior design services with a collaborative approach, a commitment to excellence, and a deep understanding of how the built environment enhances lives.

Urban Growth and Transformation

Since the 1950s, Texas cities like Austin, San Antonio, and Houston have experienced exponential population increases, creating suburban sprawl and dramatic urban expansion while rural population declines. These changes have resulted in the need for more hospitals, schools, universities, municipal and commercial buildings for which O’Connell Robertson has been a trusted partner in design and development for more than 7 decades. As Texas’ population swelled, the firm expanded its footprint with offices in these major cities; added expertise with more than 150 full time staff today; and has served clients from Amarillo to McAllen, El Paso to Texarkana and nearly everywhere in between.

Early healthcare projects included community hospitals throughout Texas, from Graham Regional Hospital and Rollins Brook Memorial Hospital to Smithville Regional Hospital and beyond. We have also nurtured decades-long relationships with regional healthcare systems, academic institutions, and more than 40 school districts throughout the state.

Our earliest clients served by the San Antonio office included North East ISD and Alamo Colleges, whose partnership has been deeply appreciated for more than 20 years. And our Houston office has been diligently developing relationships and delivering outstanding results for clients over the past 5 years, including the University of Houston and Texas Children’s Hospital, among others. Our collaborative and engagement-driven approach ensures that every client receives personalized service, tailored solutions, and a commitment to seeing their vision realized.

Technological Advancements

The advent of computer-aided design (CAD) and building information modeling (BIM) revolutionized the way architects and engineers work in this time period, enabling precision, collaboration, and innovative designs. Texas has been a hub for integrating cutting-edge technologies, and O’Connell Robertson has maximized these trends to meet the increasing demands of a fast-growing state while prioritizing efficiency and quality of technical documents.

Whether shifting from drafting boards to CAD in the 1980’s while modernizing rural hospitals around the state; to company-wide software training for staff to transition to BIM in the midst of a university expansion project; to incorporating 3D visualization into design sessions for a new high school, O’Connell Robertson has been committed to integration of new technology to deliver high-quality, future-ready solutions. Finally, the integration of 3D visualization into design processes enhances communication with stakeholders, allowing for more informed decision-making and ultimately resulting in projects that better serve the needs of end users.

Sustainability and Resilience

Recognizing the importance of sustainable practices even before they were trending, O’Connell Robertson has long been committed to designing sustainable, energy-efficient buildings that align with Texas’ efforts to preserve natural resources and promote environmental stewardship. Schools, community buildings and healthcare facilities designed by the Firm have achieved LEED certification from the US Green Building Council as well as Austin Energy Green Building Star ratings. From Austin ISD’s Overton Elementary School being an early recipient of the Austin Energy Green Star Building to the LEED Silver certification earned by the ACC Elgin Campus and San Antonio College’s Eco Centro, our firm understands the importance of aligning client goals with sustainability in practical ways.

The Firm’s integrated team brings added focus to these opportunities through the expertise of passionate and accredited designers and engineers in every office who are committed to maximizing energy efficiency, incorporating natural light, supporting occupant well-being, fine tuning building control systems, conserving water, and more.

Economic Diversification and Cultural Impact

As Texas’ economy has expanded beyond oil and gas, O’Connell Robertson has remained steadfast in its mission-driven approach—creating spaces that honor local cultures, enhance communities, and foster economic growth. Whether designing schools that inspire learning, hospitals that promote healing, or civic buildings that foster connection, our firm is dedicated to solutions that enrich the human experience. Our ability to creatively solve complex challenges while maintaining a deep engagement with clients ensures that our designs are not only functional but also meaningful, fostering a lasting impact on the communities we serve and enhancing how Texans live, learn, work and heal.

Beyond 75 Years

As Texas continues to grow and evolve, O’Connell Robertson is poised to remain at the forefront, leveraging its rich history, expertise, and forward-thinking approach to shape the future of the state’s built environment. Our dedication to collaboration, high-quality service, and creative problem-solving ensures that every client benefits from a process that is both engaging and results driven. From smart cities to sustainable infrastructure, we remain committed to shaping the built environment in ways that enhance lives, strengthen communities, and honor our legacy of excellence. As the firm looks to the future, we will continue to build on the foundational values of integrity, dedication, professionalism, teamwork, creativity and courage that will empower our team to deliver transformative, mission driven solutions for many years to come.