Anniversary

celebrating 50 years

Making Our Mark,
50 Years and
Counting

Hundreds of clients. Millions of square feet designed. Countless awards. Over the last 50 years, DesignGroup architecture has left an indelible mark on the built environment in central Ohio and well beyond. Join us as we celebrate the people, projects, and milestones that brought us to this moment.

A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

1972

Firm is Founded

Named for the four founders, Gosnell, Essinger, Rettstatt, Weithman Architects, Inc. (GERW) was formed, the first step in the five-decade journey of DesignGroup.

1978

Name change to DesignGroup Inc.

Following the retirement of co-founders Clyde Gosnell and Jim Essinger in 1979, the firm renamed itself to the more inclusive DesignGroup Inc., Architects & Planners (DGI).

1983

Iconic project: Whetstone Branch Library

Design for the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Whetstone Branch was the first to incorporate DG’s energy-conservation design ideas. This branch remains one of the most energy-efficient projects in the CML system.

1996

Iconic project: OSU Stadium

To satisfy the need for a more inclusive game-day experience, Ohio State entrusted DesignGroup to increase spectator capacity by nearly 10% and make other critical updates, without sacrificing the original details that give “The Shoe” so much character.

1998

Bob named CEO

Bob Vennemeyer was named CEO and served in this role until 2008.

2000

Move to East Main office

The firm moved to its current location at 515 East Main. Designed in-house by Lead Designer Jack Hedge.

2000

Breakthrough Revit Use

DesignGroup used the nascent computer platform to design the Sawmill Orthopedic facility, which at the time was the largest Revit building in the world.

2003

AIA Firm Gold Medal Award

DesignGroup received the AIA Firm Gold Medal, one of the most prestigious awards in the architecture world, for its lasting influence as a firm on the theory and practice of architecture.

2006

All in on LEED

Continuing DG’s strong commitment to sustainability, the firm mandated that all technical staff become LEED Accredited Professionals. By 2017, all employees were LEED trained.

2017

Opening of Pittsburgh Office

Situated in the heart of the city’s North Shore neighborhood, its central location provides convenience and connections to clients.

1978

Name change to DesignGroup Inc.

1983

Iconic project: Whetstone Branch Library

1996

Iconic project: OSU Stadium

1998

Bob named CEO

2000

Move to East Main office

2000

Breakthrough Revit Use

2003

AIA Firm Gold Medal Award

2006

All in on LEED

2017

Opening of Pittsburgh Office

1972

Firm is Founded

What I’ve enjoyed most working with DesignGroup is the open and honest dialogue to ensure we have the best design for patients, families, staff, and providers. DesignGroup is a partner truly committed to the success of our facility. I’ll go one step further – I view DesignGroup as part of the Norton Brownsboro Hospital family.

Andy Strausbaugh, Chief Administrative Officer, Norton Brownsboro Hospital

A Legacy of
Architectural
Excellence

Design excellence, commitment to quality, and collegial, collaborative relationships set DesignGroup apart. We remain the passion-driven firm the founders envisioned five decades ago.

Hear more from our associates and leaders whose tireless dedication has left a legacy of architectural excellence in Columbus, Pittsburgh, and beyond.

Voices of Leadership

Sherm Moreland

Chief Executive Officer

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Jennifer Horvath

Managing Principal

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Ben Niebauer

Associate Principal
Education Market Leader

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Alana Haslow

Principal
Senior Interior Designer

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Clyde Gosnell

Co-Founder

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Tom Chidlow

Managing Principal

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Jennifer Horvath

Managing Principal

Ben Niebauer

Associate Principal
Education Market Leader

Alana Haslow

Principal
Senior Interior Designer

Clyde Gosnell

Co-Founder

Tom Chidlow

Managing Principal

Sherm Moreland

Chief Executive Officer

Video Library

Design That Elevates
Sustainable Architecture
Healthy Communities
Lifelong Learning
Civic Responsibility

These are the values that drive and inspire DesignGroup. Our work has elevated the experiences of, literally, millions of students, workers, physicians, educators, leaders, patients, and patrons.

Explore cornerstone projects

Shelby Mutual Insurance Company

At a time when DesignGroup’s work was largely focused on healthcare, this was an early, and significant, contribution to the firm’s diversifying project portfolio.

Columbus Metropolitan Library, Northern Lights Branch

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The Northern Lights branch illustrates the community-building potential for public places that offer an expanding scope of resources and possibilities for the neighborhoods they serve.

The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center; Inpatient Hospital

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Innovative medical treatments require unprecedented facilities – and a planning and design team that understands healthcare needs at scale.

Grant Medical Center

This early project cemented DesignGroup’s credibility in healthcare design.

City of Columbus, Michael B. Coleman Government Center

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To nurture a deeper connection with the surrounding community without compromising the cohesion of surrounding Municipal buildings, Design Group incorporated a large and vibrant Campus Green with numerous pathways, ample lighting, and a beautiful rain garden.

UPMC Mercy Hospital
Inpatient Floor

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Driven by the need for flexibility and acuity adaptability, DesignGroup renovated the eighth floor of the building to add bed capacity and swing space for the building as a whole.

National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors

The firm’s first AIA award-winner. Like many projects that followed, it won on the merits of sustainable design.

Columbus Museum of Art
Margaret M. Walter Wing

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Widely praised and heavily awarded, the CMA expansion project embodied DesignGroup’s defining theme of “design that elevates.”

Ohio University, Heritage Hall; College of Osteopathic Medicine

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The three pillars of holistic health – mind, body, and spirit – are fundamental to the building design, expressed beautifully through the college’s openness, infusion of light, and focus on wellness that encourages more physical activity.

Battelle Darby Creek
Metro Park Nature Center

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Conscious of this project’s unique and fragile setting along the boundaries of the Darby Creek watershed, DesignGroup worked hard to reduce the building’s impact physically, visually, and environmentally.

Columbus Metropolitan Library, Northern Lights Branch

The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center; Inpatient Hospital

Grant Medical Center

City of Columbus, Michael B. Coleman Government Center

UPMC Mercy Hospital
Inpatient Floor

National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors

Columbus Museum of Art
Margaret M. Walter Wing

Ohio University, Heritage Hall; College of Osteopathic Medicine

Battelle Darby Creek
Metro Park Nature Center

Shelby Mutual Insurance

All Projects

A glimpse into our
past and a promise
for our future.

In celebration of DesignGroup’s 50th anniversary, we’ve created a detailed look back at our founding and the people, values, and experiences that made us who we are today. Download a preview of the book to meet our founders, current leaders, and predictions for the future. And learn more about 50 projects we feel represent the breadth and depth of our project work.

Preview the Book

Win a Copy of the Book

Did you enjoy the digital sneak peek of our 50th Anniversary Book? Submit your email for a chance to win a copy of this limited-edition, 380-page hardbound book.

The founders of DesignGroup set such a deep foundation of the right values and principles. My hope for the company and the next 50 years is that we take the opportunity we’ve been given. That we make the founders proud. That we continue our relentless pursuit of making our clients happy and driving them to success. And that we continue to invest in our people, which is the most important resource we have.

Jennifer Horvath, MANAGING PRINCIPAL