Doing it right makes it last

Architecture is a union of the science of building and the art of shaping human experiences. Good design results in buildings that are both practical and inspirational; economical and beautiful. Because the buildings we design will last for generations, we have an obligation to ensure they have a positive relevance for their inhabitants today and long into the future.

From site selection through design, construction, and post-occupancy evaluation, Miller Dunwiddie provides complete architecture and planning services for a wide range of clients. Just as every building project is unique, so are the ways we approach each project. Your schedule, your budget and your values will determine how we organize the design process.

A pioneer in the discipline of historic preservation, Miller Dunwiddie has been helping protect and revive hundreds of significant historical resources since 1970. From repairing siding on a landmark farmhouse to drafting historic district guidelines for a college campus, our experience with a broad range of preservation projects gives us the ability to tailor fit our services to your unique situation.

Our dedicated preservation staff meet the National Park Service’s Professional Standards and either have or are currently serving on preservation commissions, advisory boards, and advocacy groups, giving us first-hand contact with the people and processes governing preservation project approvals and implementation. And when it comes to the complicated, arcane world of funding preservation projects, we regularly provide advice and assistance for obtaining historic tax credits, façade easements, grant-in-aid, and other financial incentives for historic buildings.

A well designed space has the power to energize and focus the body and the mind. Of the many aspects of interior design, we are driven by how the smallest details fit in the big picture. We believe in enhancing the quality of life through good design, and value the personal lens through which individuals experience their space and environment. We become partners and guides through that experience and look for ways to elevate it.

We use visualizing tools to illustrate and explore the varied spaces and projects types in the office. Our interior designers play an integral part of the design team.

A building’s envelope is the first line of defense against the weather. Ensuring that it is properly designed, constructed, repaired, and maintained can alleviate future problems.

Our building science group consists of industry veterans with architectural and engineering backgrounds specializing in roofing, exterior wall assemblies, window and curtain wall replacement, waterproofing, masonry design and rehabilitation, and building forensics. In addition to leveraging their own expertise, our building envelope professionals maintain their relationships with local contractors and suppliers helping us track industry trends and costs.

We believe that sustainability, resilience and environmental stewardship should guide choices in building design. Because buildings and sites differ from project to project, our design teams work with our clients to identify the unique sustainability opportunities for site ecology, materials, water use, energy efficiency, and occupant wellness throughout every phase of the design process. Our current work includes projects that target LEED Platinum and Gold, Minnesota’s B3/SB2030 Sustainability Guidelines, and International Living Futures Institute Zero Energy Certification https://living-future.org/zero-energy/certification/

Miller Dunwiddie’s philosophy is to design elegant and durable buildings that integrate into their environment while minimizing the use of both energy and resources. Carbon reduction strategies include tracking embodied carbon, preserving existing buildings, and understanding when building less is more. Each project starts with listening to identify project goals in tandem with understanding environmental conditions. Active systems are evaluated and optimized within the budget to maximize performance. This design process crafts projects that are tailored to the client’s needs and goals while using the least amount of resources. We strive to deliver projects where our clients enjoy healthy, comfortable and vibrant spaces.

Our conviction is that designing with a sustainability and resiliency mindset must be part of a firm’s culture. Many of our Employee-Owners are experienced with sustainable design programs such as LEED, Minnesota B3/SB2030, WELL and Passive House. Miller Dunwiddie maintains an office-wide USGBC membership and is a signatory to AIA’s 2030 Commitment since 2017 – tracking and reporting project energy use annually. Additionally, Miller Dunwiddie empowers our Employee-Owners to add to their sustainability tool-kit by engaging in internal Net Zero Focus Group discussions, participating in the office Sustainability Committee and utilizing the firm’s scholarship fund to pursue individual education or training.

Review our sustainability-focused projects by clicking here.