O’Connell Robertson’s track record of designing smart, elegant and effective environments has enabled our Firm to thrive for more than seven decades.
From our offices in Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, we continue to enrich people’s lives through design by providing comprehensive architectural, MEP engineering, and interior design services throughout the state of Texas.
In the early 1960’s, William O’Connell, AIA, was asked by famed cardiac surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey, a pioneer in the development of the artificial heart, to help design environments that would support his groundbreaking work for years to come. That strengthened the foundation Mr. O’Connell had built since starting the Firm in 1950 after serving as the first architect for the Texas Department of Health. The Firm realized the further impact it could have on the community when services were expanded to designing schools in Austin in the mid-1960’s. Since that time, we have developed a specialized expertise that has led to working with public school districts, educational organizations, colleges and universities around the state, creating classrooms and athletic facilities that inspire and engage students and teachers alike.
Today, we continue to concentrate on elevating our design of healthcare and education environments, along with a variety of other building types, which all focus on a single purpose: to enrich people’s lives through design.
During our Houston Office’s first 5 and highly successful years in business, they have accomplished many projects already, including with Texas Children’s Hospital and other healthcare facilities.
On October 22nd, we celebrated 75 incredible years of business. We held a celebration for our clients and partners in Austin, to reflect on our history, strengthen current relationships, and look toward the future!
We celebrated 5 years of business in the Houston region on August 13. Our Houston team and Firm Leaders gathered to celebrate new partnerships, and the life-changing facilites we’ve already established in the Houston area.
In 2025, O’Connell Robertson was selected as a “Hot Firm” and a “Best Firm to Work For” by Zwieg Group, the national AEC research and performance firm. O’Connell Robertson was ranked #26 in the Best Firms to Work for in the 100-199 employees category. O’Connell Robertson had also been selected for both of these awards in 2024.
In April, we toasted to 25 incredible years in the San Antonio and South Texas regions. We’ve helped over 80 clients in the area since 2000, and are looking forward to continuing both those partnerships, and new ones to come!
In March of 2025, we gathered the whole staff to see one of our most iconic projects- The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders. O’Connell Robertson designed the school, and we wanted the staff, many of whom worked on the project themselves, to see how the teachers and students have truly made the facility their own.
O’Connell Robertson has proudly worked with the Alamo Colleges District since 2004, and worked on many projects in that that time, continuing through present day.
O’Connell Robertson reaches 100 employees firm-wide, with the 100th employee starting in the San Antonio Office.
Shannon Health opens their brand new Oncology Center, designed by O’Connell Robertson.
O’Connell Robertson was selected to design a new high school for Medina Valley ISD. At over 400,000 square feet in size, this is the firm’s largest new school to date.