Urban Design Group
Encyclopedia
Urban Design Group is professional architectural, interior, planning and urban designservices firm. The firm offers services from their studios in Atlanta, Georgia
, and Dallas, Texas
. UDG has been recognized by over 100 magazine articles, newspaper pieces, and various design resource books, including coverage by international publications. The firm has additionally received more than 80 design excellence awards and honors, as well as 15 design competition awards.
of Chicago. The organization has grown steadily since 1975, having designed several urban projects, including Rivercenter
in San Antonio, Texas
; One Tabor Center
in Denver, Colorado
; Disney's Wilderness Lodge
in Orlando, Florida
; and Carlson Center in Minnetonka, Minnesota
.
Urban Design Group is managed with a studio approach. Each office functions as an independent studio within the larger firm. This allows the firm to offer small firm response time and close involvement with clients, while providing the resources and expertise of a larger firm.
The firm was formed within the context of place-making. With the design of the Tabor Center in Denver and Rivercenter in San Antonio, UDG was thrust into the later stages of American urban renewal, and responded with the revelation of a new kind of place.iii iv The resulting projects included both the development of new and unforgettable places in the urban core, as well as the startling idea that the inner city buildings that surround these spaces could be revitalized.v vi UDG has been recognized as an innovator of buildings that affect their contexts remarkably, leading to new and reinvigorated urban environments.
UDG is known for its generalist approach. Noted architect Sean W. Sculley observes, “This consortium of studios has no specialty, but rather seems capable of specializing (as did the versatile Ancients) in almost every type of architectural endeavor.”vii Design is contextual.viii Solutions rise from a design philosophy that puts responsiveness to the program, the setting, and the project’s context far above any preconceived idea of a particular design style.ixx
The firm has completed more than $4.5 billion work of projects worldwide. UDG’s work has also garnered national and international recognition and numerous design awards.
iiiDivision of Urban Design of the University of Colorado College of Design and Planning, Award of Honor, Tabor Center, 1985.
ivIdeal Places: Rockefeller Visions for America, featuring Tabor Center. 5th Annual Honor Awards.
vGaskie, M. (1989). Just Add Water. Architectural Record, 100.
viJohnson, C. (1983). Tulsa’s Union Depot. Oklahoma Home and Garden. 15.
viiSculley, S.W. (2003). Musing on an ‘American’ Architecture. Urban Design Group: Selected and Current Works, The Master Architect Series, 8.
viiiMorris, D.L. (1996). The Wilderness World of Disney. Log Home Living, 59
xiCommercial and Retail Development (2001). Galleria 400. Georgia Construction Review: Atlanta Edition, 26.
xBruegmann, R. (1989). The Corporate Landscape. Inland Architect. (reprint)
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, and Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
. UDG has been recognized by over 100 magazine articles, newspaper pieces, and various design resource books, including coverage by international publications. The firm has additionally received more than 80 design excellence awards and honors, as well as 15 design competition awards.
Organizational background
Urban Design Group was founded in 1975, by John M. Novack, Jr., after leaving his position as Design Director at C. F. Murphy AssociatesCharles Murphy (architect)
Charles Francis Murphy was an American architect based in Chicago, Illinois.-Biography:Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Murphy was educated at the De La Salle Institute in Chicago....
of Chicago. The organization has grown steadily since 1975, having designed several urban projects, including Rivercenter
Rivercenter
Rivercenter is a shopping mall located in downtown San Antonio, Texas along the River Walk. It is anchored by Macy's, as well as a 38-story, 1,001-room Marriott hotel. The mall was purchased in 2005 by Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation.-History:...
in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
; One Tabor Center
One Tabor Center
One Tabor Center is a tall skyscraper in Denver, Colorado. The building was completed in 1984 and has 30 floors. It is the 15th tallest building in Denver. Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates designed 669,000sq ft.-References:**...
in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
; Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Wilderness Lodge is a resort hotel located at the Walt Disney World Resort. It opened on May 28, 1994. The resort is owned and operated by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts....
in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
; and Carlson Center in Minnetonka, Minnesota
Minnetonka, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 51,301 people, 21,393 households, and 14,097 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,893.0 persons per square mile . There were 22,228 housing units at an average density of 818.9 per square mile...
.
Urban Design Group is managed with a studio approach. Each office functions as an independent studio within the larger firm. This allows the firm to offer small firm response time and close involvement with clients, while providing the resources and expertise of a larger firm.
The firm was formed within the context of place-making. With the design of the Tabor Center in Denver and Rivercenter in San Antonio, UDG was thrust into the later stages of American urban renewal, and responded with the revelation of a new kind of place.iii iv The resulting projects included both the development of new and unforgettable places in the urban core, as well as the startling idea that the inner city buildings that surround these spaces could be revitalized.v vi UDG has been recognized as an innovator of buildings that affect their contexts remarkably, leading to new and reinvigorated urban environments.
UDG is known for its generalist approach. Noted architect Sean W. Sculley observes, “This consortium of studios has no specialty, but rather seems capable of specializing (as did the versatile Ancients) in almost every type of architectural endeavor.”vii Design is contextual.viii Solutions rise from a design philosophy that puts responsiveness to the program, the setting, and the project’s context far above any preconceived idea of a particular design style.ixx
The firm has completed more than $4.5 billion work of projects worldwide. UDG’s work has also garnered national and international recognition and numerous design awards.
Selected projects
- Amrit Touristic Development, Tartous DistrictTartousTartus is a city on the Mediterranean coast of Syria. Tartus is the second largest port city in Syria , and the largest city in Tartus Governorate. The population size is 98,000 .- Geography and climate :...
, SyriaSyriaSyria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest.... - Animal Kingdom Lodge, Walt Disney World, Orlando, FloridaOrlando, FloridaOrlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
- Carlson Center, Minnetonka, MinnesotaMinnetonka, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 51,301 people, 21,393 households, and 14,097 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,893.0 persons per square mile . There were 22,228 housing units at an average density of 818.9 per square mile...
- Cameron University Science Complex, Lawton, OklahomaLawton, OklahomaThe city of Lawton is the county seat of Comanche County, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Located in the southwestern region of Oklahoma approximately southwest of Oklahoma City, it is the principal city of the Lawton Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- Castle Creek Lodge, Aspen, ColoradoAspen, ColoradoThe City of Aspen is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 5,804 in 2005...
- Convergence Center, Virginia Beach, VirginiaVirginia Beach, VirginiaVirginia Beach is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay...
- Denver Dry Goods, Denver, ColoradoDenver, ColoradoThe City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
- Eagles Nest Ranch, Northeastern, Colorado
- E.M. Dirksen Federal Building: Phase III Renovation, Chicago, Illinois
- Fallen Oak Golf Clubhouse, Gulfport, MississippiGulfport, MississippiGulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi after the state capital Jackson. It is the larger of the two principal cities of the Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. As of the...
- Four Winds Casino Resort, New Buffalo, MichiganNew Buffalo, MichiganNew Buffalo is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,200 at the 2000 census. This city is within New Buffalo Township, but is politically autonomous.-Geography:...
- Grand Californian, Disney's California Adventure, Anaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
- Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, Kearney, NebraskaKearney, NebraskaKearney is a city in and the county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 30,787 at the 2010 census. It is home to the University of Nebraska-Kearney....
- Galleria 400, Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
- Grand Bear Golf Clubhouse, Gulfport, Mississippi
- Hollywood Slots at Bangor, MaineBangor, MaineBangor is a city in and the county seat of Penobscot County, Maine, United States, and the major commercial and cultural center for eastern and northern Maine...
- Hollywood Casino at Penn National, Grantville, PennsylvaniaGrantville, PennsylvaniaGrantville is an unincorporated community in East Hanover Township Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Points of Interest:* St...
- International Baptist Theological Seminary, Prague, Czech Republic
- Law Offices/Crawford Hill Mansion, Denver, Colorado
- Nakheel Design Summit, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- OCT Yantian Eco Park and Resort, Shenzhen, China
- One Ten Broadway, San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, TexasSan Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
- Opera Galleria, Fort Collins, ColoradoFort Collins, ColoradoFort Collins is a Home Rule Municipality situated on the Cache La Poudre River along the Colorado Front Range, and is the county seat and most populous city of Larimer County, Colorado, United States. Fort Collins is located north of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. With a 2010 census...
- Quartz Mountain Arts and Conference Center, Lone Wolf, OklahomaLone Wolf, OklahomaLone Wolf is a town in Kiowa County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 438 at the 2010 census. The town was named for Chief Lone Wolf , a warrior chief of the Kiowa who fought to preserve his people's autonomy and way of life.-Geography:...
- Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Preston Ridge I & II, Alpharetta, GeorgiaAlpharetta, Georgia-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 34,854 people, 13,911 households, and 8,916 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,631.6 people per square mile . There were 14,670 housing units at an average density of 686.7 per square mile...
- Rivercenter, San Antonio, Texas
- Silver Legacy, Reno, NevadaReno, NevadaReno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
- Sinclair Cabin, Montrose County, ColoradoMontrose County, ColoradoMontrose County is the 17th most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 41,276 at U.S. Census 2010. The county was named for its county seat, the City of Montrose...
- Sogang University Graduate School of Business, Seoul, Korea
- Tabor Center, Denver, Colorado
- Tramway Renovation, Denver, Colorado
- Tulsa Community College West Campus Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Tulsa Union Depot, Tulsa, Oklahoma
- University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
- United Artist Theatres, Bugis JunctionBugis JunctionBugis Junction is an integrated development located at Victoria Street, Middle Road and North Bridge Road in Bugis, Downtown Core Planning Area in Singapore. The development consists of a shopping mall, an office tower and the InterContinental Singapore Hotel...
, SingaporeSingaporeSingapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... - United Artist Theatres, Shatin, Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
- Wilderness Resort, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
- Windward Fairways I and II, Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
Selected awards
- 18th Street Atrium, Denver, Colorado (1984) Architectural Award of Excellence, W.O.O.D. Inc.
- Animal Kingdom Lodge, Walt Disney World Orlando, Florida (2002) THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement, Themed Hospitality Entertainment Association
- Brookfield Lakes Corporate Center XVII, Brookfield, WisconsinBrookfield, WisconsinBrookfield is a city located in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. It had a population of 37,920 in the 2010 census. Brookfield is the second largest city in Waukesha County, and the leading commercial suburb of Milwaukee. The City of Brookfield was formed in 1954 from the Town of...
(2001) Building of the Year Award, under 75,000 s.f. Building Owners and Management Association - Cactus Club, Denver, Colorado (1990) Award of Honor, Colorado/AIA Region/AIA (1991) Preservation Award, Historic Denver Inc. for Community Preservation
- Cameron University, Science Complex, Tulsa, Oklahoma (1999) Award for Specialized Facility, Learning by Design Magazine (1998) Design Excellence, American School and University
- City Center West, Las Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
(2000) Special Recognition, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute - Convergence Center I, Virginia Beach, VirginiaVirginia Beach, VirginiaVirginia Beach is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay...
(2001) 1st Place, Best Office Buildings over 75,000 s.f. Hampton Roads Assoc. for Commercial Real Estate - Galleria 600, Atlanta, Georgia (2002) First Place Award, High Rise Buildings, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute
- Grand Californian, Disney's California Adventure Anaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
(2001) Project of the Year, Land Development Award, American Society of Civil Engineers, Orange County Branch - Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, Kearney, NebraskaKearney, NebraskaKearney is a city in and the county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 30,787 at the 2010 census. It is home to the University of Nebraska-Kearney....
(2002) I.D.E.A.S. National Merit Award for Innovative Design and Excellence in Architecture Using Structural Steel in the U.S. ($25–$100M category) (2001) THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement, Themed Hospitality Entertainment Association - Haddon Cabin, Pagosa Springs, ColoradoPagosa Springs, ColoradoPagosa Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat of, and the only incorporated municipality in, Archuleta County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,591 at the 2000 census...
(1985) Honor Award for Professional Excellence in Urban Design, Division of Urban Design, University of Colorado (1993) Award of Excellence, Western Mountain Region/AIA - Hamilton Lakes East, Itasca, IllinoisItasca, IllinoisItasca is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. The population was 8,302 at the 2000 census.In 2009, BusinessWeek rated Itasca as the 'Best Affordable Suburb' in the state of Illinois...
(2001) PCI Certificate of Special Recognition, Precast Concrete Institute (2001) PCI Award, Design Excellence Award, Precast Concrete Institute - Johnson, Robinson, Neff, and Ragonetti Law Offices I, Denver, Colorado, Award of Merit, Corporate Interiors Honor Award, American Bar Association
- Law Offices, Crawford Hill Mansion, Denver, Colorado, (1990) Presentation Award, Historic Denver, Inc. (1991) Award of Honor, Western Mountain Region/AIA
- Little Lake Lodge, Aspen, Colorado (2002) Tucker Award for Design Excellence, Building Stone Institute
- One Ten Broadway, San Antonio, Texas (1985) Certificate of Recognition, San Antonio Conservation Society (1992) Renovation Award, National Association of Industrial and Office Parks, Honor Award, The Construction Specifications Institute
- Opera Galleria, Ft. Collins, Colorado (1992) Honor Award, Colorado/AIA, Award of Merit, Corporate Interiors
- Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lighting Awards of Honor, American Society of Illumination Engineers
- Preston Ridge I & II, Alpharetta, Georgia (2001) Building of the Year Award, MidRise Runner-Up, Building Owners and Management Association
- Rivercenter, San Antonio, Texas (1987) Award of Honor, The Construction Specification Institute; (1988) Honor Award, Central States Region/AIA; (1988) Grand Award, International Conference of Shopping Centers; (1989) Center for Excellence, Urban Centers over 500,000 sf, National Mall Monitor; (1989) Lighting Award of Honor, American Society of Illuminating Engineers
- Riverfront Park, Denver, Colorado (2002) Merit Award, Colorado AIA
- State Office Building, Denver, Colorado (1986) Honorable Mention, Restoration and Renovation Projects, Construction Specifications Institute; (1986) Award for Renovation, Rocky Mountain Regional Design Awards; (1987) Lighting Award of Honor, American Society of Illuminating Engineers
- Tabor Center, Denver, Colorado (1986) Award for Architecture, Rocky Mountain Region, AIA; (1986) Excellence in Concrete Buildings, Portland Cement Association
- The Shops at Tabor Center, Denver, Colorado (1984) Honorable Mention Award, Excellence in Specifications, Construction Specifications Institute; (1985) Honor Award, Tulsa Chapter AIA; (1985) Honor Award for Professional Excellence in Urban Design, Division of Urban Design, University of Colorado
- Three Westlakes Office, Berwyn, Pennsylvania (1990) Delaware Valley Award for Building Design, National Association of Industrial & Office Parks
- Tramway Renovation, Denver, Colorado (1992) Downtown Denver Award, National Theater Conservatory
- Tulsa Community College, West Campus, Tulsa, Oklahoma (1999) Award for Specialized Facility, Learning by Design Magazine; (1998) Design Excellence, American School and University
- Tulsa Union Depot, Tulsa, Oklahoma (1984) Landmark Art Deco Building, Art Deco Societies of America
- USC School of Cinematic Arts, Los Angeles, California (2009) Award for Exterior Institutional by a Wall and Ceiling Contractor, Western Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association
- Wilderness Resort, Walt Disney World Orlando, Florida (1994) Hospitality Design Gold Key Award, People's Choice Award
- Williams Center Green, Tulsa, Oklahoma (1981) Environmental Improvement, Grand Award, Art Deco Societies of America
- Windward Fairways I & II, Alpharetta, Georgia (2001) Building of the Year Award, MidRise, Building Owners and Management Association
Gallery
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Further reading
iiBaxter, L. (1988) A Sense of Place. Identity.iiiDivision of Urban Design of the University of Colorado College of Design and Planning, Award of Honor, Tabor Center, 1985.
ivIdeal Places: Rockefeller Visions for America, featuring Tabor Center. 5th Annual Honor Awards.
vGaskie, M. (1989). Just Add Water. Architectural Record, 100.
viJohnson, C. (1983). Tulsa’s Union Depot. Oklahoma Home and Garden. 15.
viiSculley, S.W. (2003). Musing on an ‘American’ Architecture. Urban Design Group: Selected and Current Works, The Master Architect Series, 8.
viiiMorris, D.L. (1996). The Wilderness World of Disney. Log Home Living, 59
xiCommercial and Retail Development (2001). Galleria 400. Georgia Construction Review: Atlanta Edition, 26.
xBruegmann, R. (1989). The Corporate Landscape. Inland Architect. (reprint)