Assisting tribal community development
Creating culutural environments that welcome and inspire
For more than 40 years, DSGW has worked with native communities, to plan, design and build projects ranging from community centers to clinics to casinos. In 2009–with the mission of “enriching communities through architecture”– we expanded our commitment to serving tribal interests by creating the First American Design Studio, lead by an Ojibwe designer.
Michael Laverdure of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in North Dakota joined DSGW in 2008. As Design Director of the Studio, Mike incorporates a cultural approach to each project. He tries to bring the core philosophy of the local culture into what function the building will serve.
In addition, the studio has brought DSGW opportunities to encourage more Native Americans to enter the architectural field - both by hiring local tribal employees on projects and by creating a place to have Native American interns in the future.
Whether your next project involves healthcare, education, gaming, community service facility or housing, our First American Studio will answer your needs. Our experienced architects have effectively coordinated numerous tribal projects—to the high satisfaction of our clients.
Our key to success is listening to and incorporating the diverse ideas of others. We’re comfortable working with administrators, educators, students, and community members to raise funds, build consensus, estimate costs, and manage budgets.
