Who we are:
Donald Dudley Architect, Ltd. is a stand-alone office established in 2001. The firm began as an extension of Don Dudley’s father’s architectural firm, which started in Greensboro, NC, in 1965. Don and his father implemented projects along the eastern seaboard that included museums, restaurants and hospitality projects. The Albuquerque office moved into autonomous operation in 2002 when the elder Mr. Dudley retired. Early projects focused on custom residential and highly crafted commercial work. Over the years the work garnered more recognition which led to larger projects.
Today, our client list includes:
–The Navajo Nation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs
–The University of New Mexico Hospitals
– United Nations Industrial Development Organization
– Boys and Girls Clubs of America
Methodology:
In our studio, the opportunity of “Living with a Garden” is the impetus on every project. In some cases, the “Garden” may be a simple aperture to the theater of the skies, while others may be rich plantings of indigenous species that serve to enlarge the interior spaces by serving as extended outdoor “rooms”. The interweaving of indoor and outdoor space is a fundamental component in our architecture. For every project our design process begins with a comprehensive analysis of place, which includes understanding how the winds move across a site, the path of the sun and its seasonal influence, opportunities for views from within the buildings and a commitment to the preservation and proliferation of natural vegetation. Our designs are inspired by the unique qualities of our clients and careful attention to the integration of our collective ideas upon their sites.
The Problem:
Buildings in the U.S. consume about 40 % of all the energy produced. They also consume about 70% of the electricity produced. The carbon emissions of one American today are equivalent to those of around 4 Chinese, 20 Indians, 30 Pakistanis, 40 Nigerians or 250 Ethiopians. These are huge numbers that deserve our attention in order to fully understand how they can be reduced.
Handcrafted:
At our studio it is important that we thoughtfully craft every detail of a project in order to ensure a quality product in the end. Our team views this as our distinguishing value that sets us apart. From the first line, to implantation during construction.
By Example:
Our studio is acutely aware of the global energy dilemma and we are designing extremely energy efficient buildings, both residential and commercial, which directly address this. We are involved in numerous national and state conservation organizations and are fully accredited in the Nation’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) organization. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) created LEED as a rating system for green buildings. Green building refers to the design, construction, and operation of buildings in an environmentally friendly way. We promote a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.