Thought, Expertise, Experience, Insight

Completed in 1901 and designed by Thomas Henry Morgan, the Empire Building is widely recognized as one of Atlanta’s first steel-frame buildings and among the earliest skyscrapers in the Southeast region. Between 1929 and 1932, renowned architect Philip Trammell Shutze reimagined the lower floors of the Empire Building for Citizens & Southern National Bank. The Empire Building is more than a historic structure; it is a physical narrative of Atlanta’s transformation.

Design centers across the United States help bridge the gap between architects, planners, and the public by making the built environment understandable and engaging. Through exhibitions, tours, lectures, and educational programs, these institutions reveal how design shapes daily life, cultural identity, and civic history. From Chicago to Atlanta, design centers foster public dialogue about the future of cities while celebrating the architecture and landscapes that define them

Designed by Bradford Lee Gilbert, Atlanta’s Flatiron Building blended Beaux-Arts and Romanesque styles with modern steel-frame construction. Built post-Civil War, it symbolized the “New South” and helped launch high-rise development along Peachtree Street. A major 2015 renovation restored its historic façade and modernized the interior. Like other adaptive reuse projects across Atlanta, the Flatiron reflects how preservation and innovation can work together to shape a city’s