Founded in 1981 by Sam Blimling, AIA. and Charlie Clary, FAIA., the Destin Architectural Group, as it was then known, began with just those two. Today, twenty-six years later, DAG Architects has six principals and 50 full-time employees, in offices in Destin, Tallahassee, Pensacola, and Atlanta.
Sam and Charlie’s first office, which was completed in 1984, was well received by the public and eloquently represented their architectural style. Our current office, competed in 2001, won a Florida AIA Award for Design Excellence and reflects what has become a tradition.
Over the years the firm has been involved in the design of schools, health care facilities, libraries, fire stations, resorts, club houses, offices, retail establishments, hotels, condominiums and upscale single-family homes. DAG enjoys a truly diverse project base, and has completed projects throughout coastal Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi.
DAG was one of the first firm's in the Panhandle to formally adopt using predesign services as a separate phase in the design process. For us, the site analysis, evaluation of existing buildings, interviewing of stakeholders, and development of conceptual solutions represent a problem seeking effort. Architecture, which is a problem solving process, works so much better when you know the problems you are supposed to solve.
The members of the firm have also taken their participation in local and state organizations seriously. From City Council to the Florida State Senate, from the Board of Adjustment to the Destin Harbor Task Force, from the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects to the statewide Florida Foundation for Architecture; the people of DAG Architects contribute to their community.
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