Business Details
24 Years
experience
Architectural Design Services in Holly Hill, FL
Founded in 2002 by architects Dana M. Smith and James M. Wachtel, DJ Design, Inc. is a full-service architectural planning and design firm specializing in moderate to large public projects, educational institutions, religious facilities, historical preservation architecture, and athletic/recreation facilities. With over 50 years of combined experience, our team has worked on hundreds of projects across the United States, including airports, museums, office complexes, sports stadiums, and high-end residences.Our approach emphasizes collaboration with stakeholders to create mission-driven designs that balance programmatic needs, financial constraints, and aesthetic considerations. We maintain a flexible design philosophy that adapts to each project's unique requirements rather than adhering to a fixed stylistic approach. Located on Florida's northeast coast, we serve clients throughout the Southeast region while maintaining national project experience.
Services
Architectural Design
Architectural Renderings
Building Forensic Studies
Master Planning
Space Planning
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We have over 50 years of combined architectural experience
- Our team has completed hundreds of projects nationwide
- We form multidisciplinary teams for complex projects
- We specialize in historical preservation architecture
- We maintain LEED-certified professionals on staff
Associations and certifications
- LEED
Services
Architectural Design
Our architectural design services create functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces tailored to each client's specific needs. We specialize in public projects, educational institutions, and historical preservation work. Our team combines technical expertise with creative problem-solving to deliver buildings that meet programmatic requirements while respecting budget constraints and site conditions.
Architectural Renderings
We produce detailed architectural renderings that bring design concepts to life through photorealistic visualizations. These digital models help clients understand spatial relationships and material choices before construction begins. Our renderings support presentations to stakeholders, fundraising efforts, and design refinement throughout the project lifecycle.
Building Forensic Studies
Our building forensic studies identify structural issues and develop remediation strategies for existing buildings. We conduct thorough investigations to diagnose problems with building envelopes, structural systems, and material failures. Our reports provide actionable recommendations for repairs, upgrades, or adaptive reuse projects while maintaining historical integrity when applicable.
Master Planning
We develop comprehensive master plans that guide long-term development of campuses, municipal areas, and mixed-use sites. Our approach considers zoning regulations, environmental factors, and community needs while creating flexible frameworks for future growth. We balance visionary thinking with practical implementation strategies to ensure successful project execution.
Space Planning
Our space planning services optimize interior layouts for maximum functionality and efficiency. We analyze workflow patterns, space requirements, and building codes to create intelligent floor plans. This service supports both new construction and renovation projects, ensuring optimal use of available space while maintaining compliance with accessibility standards.
People
James M. Wachtel
Architect, LEED, President
Co-founder and President James Wachtel leads our architectural team with 25+ years of experience in public projects and historical preservation. He oversees project execution while maintaining active involvement in design decisions.
Dana M. Smith
Architect, Vice President
Co-founder Dana Smith brings extensive expertise in educational and religious architecture. As Vice President, she manages client relationships and ensures design excellence across all our projects while mentoring junior staff members.
Heidi Carhide
Architect, LEED, AP
Senior Architect Heidi Carhide specializes in sustainable design solutions and leads our LEED-certified projects. With 15 years of experience, she focuses on integrating environmental considerations into all project phases while maintaining design integrity.
Questions
What architectural services does DJ Design offer?
We provide architectural design, master planning, space planning, building forensic studies, and architectural renderings for public, educational, religious, and historical preservation projects.
What geographic areas do you serve?
While based in Holly Hill, Florida, we serve clients throughout the Southeast United States and have completed projects nationwide.
What makes DJ Design different from other firms?
Our multidisciplinary approach combines 50+ years of combined experience with LEED-certified professionals and a flexible design philosophy tailored to each project's unique needs.
What types of projects have you completed?
Our portfolio includes airports, museums, office buildings, sports stadiums, high-end residences, and emergency operations centers across the United States.
How do you approach historical preservation projects?
We specialize in historical preservation architecture, balancing modern functionality with original design elements while maintaining compliance with preservation standards.
