Our History
DTJ Designs - 1967 - 1977
1967 - 1977
  • Downing-Leach founded in Boulder, Colorado by Bruce Downing and Jim Leach
  • Initial focus on custom homes
  • Pioneering PUDs with two of Colorado’s first, Wonderland Hill and Appleridge Park, garnering Best New Subdivsion in Boulder County and Sensible Growth & Planning awards
  • Trail blazing in solar design in partnership with the Solar Energy Research Institute and National Association of Home Builders
  • Multiple awards received for leading edge design and sensible growth
DTJ Designs - 1978 - 1987
1978 - 1987
  • Celebrating new and old — innovative new community design and adaptive re-use of historic properties and preservation of historic districts
  • Implementing solar design in homes and daylighting in office buildings
  • Innovating in Boulder — Canyon Center (First mixed-use project), Spruce Street Center (First Parking Garage), Bridgewalk (First Woonerf Street)
  • Tackling Affordable Housing in Boulder with varied approaches and multiple projects
DTJ Designs - 1988 - 1997
1988 - 1997
  • Downing-Leach transitions to Downing, Thorpe, and James, (DTJ) acknowledging Tom Thorpe and Steve James as Founding Principals of the evolving company
  • Large Scale Master Planning focus includes University of Colorado Research Park, Interlocken Advanced Technology Park, and many Residential Communities
  • Landscape Architecture joins Architecture and Planning as a key design discipline; DTJ’s integrated design approach gains momentum
  • Building a diverse portfolio with Corporate Express and Up with People Corporate Headquarters, and Rock Bottom and Gordon Biersch Restaurants
DTJ Designs - 1998 - 2007
1998 - 2007
  • Award winning resort communities in Desert Mountain, La Quinta, Park City, Telluride, and Las Vegas
  • Colorado Kudos with AIA Colorado Firm of the Year
  • Mixed-use projects gain traction in DTJ’s practice; One Boulder Plaza becomes the catalyst for a new wave of revitalization in downtown Boulder
  • Anthem Colorado and Centerra set high standards as the next generation of Master Planned Communities
  • Xilinx Corporate Campus is recognized for outstanding design and Land Stewardship
DTJ Designs - 2008 - 2017
2008 - 2017
  • Transitions to DTJ DESIGN, recognizing the next generation of expanded leadership
  • International expansion with projects on all continents except Antarctica
  • DTJ opens an office in Atlanta, bringing new focus to the Southeastern US and the Caribbean
  • Themed Entertainment destinations become a huge part of DTJ’s practice. Dream Big
  • Bruce Downing and Jim Leach are inducted into the NAHB BALA Hall of Fame
DTJ Designs - 2018 - current
2018 - current
  • Awarded the renovation of Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta
  • Steve James receives the prestigious MAME Legend Award
  • Addressing the affordability gap with site and design strategies for urban rowhomes, small lot single-family, and micro housing
  • DTJ opens an office in Austin, expanding our footprint in the South