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.
Smithville Regional Hospital, an acute care facility, opens the first hospital in Bastrop County.
The Firm is hired to conduct a masterplan for Metroplex Health System, beginning a relationship that continues today.
The University of Texas at Austin’s Neuhaus-Royal Athletic Facility opens a state-of-the-art training football facility.
Noel Robertson joins the Firm to add MEP engineering services, and later becomes the Firm’s second President.
Dr. Michael DeBakey consults O’Connell Robertson on operating room planning for groundbreaking heart surgeries.
Lucy Read Elementary School in Austin ISD is the Firm’s first new school.
Graham General Hospital opens, the first hospital designed by the Firm. O’Connell Robertson also designed renovations to the hospital in 1990.
William O’Connell, AIA, the first architect for the Texas Department of Health, starts his own architectural firm in Austin.