Higher Education Brochure

Higher Education Facilities

About Us Firm History DAG Architects began as two designers in a small Destin, Florida office in 1981. Today, we are a full-service design firm employing 80+ professionals in six offices across the Southeast. We are an architecture leader, delivering design excellence for developers, schools and universities, local governments, private individuals, and many other client types.

Our Approach: Thoughtful Design for Active Campuses DAG Architects has spent more than 40 years working with colleges and universities across Florida, completing more than 200 projects. Our work spans master plans; new and renovated academic, residential, and student-life buildings; specialized labs and clinics; athletic facilities; and infrastructure upgrades, all of which require compliance with state codes, such as Florida College System facility design standards, ADA and Florida Accessibility Code, and individual campus design guidelines. Just as importantly, we bring deep experience working within active, occupied campuses, coordinating phasing, logistics, and safety to deliver cost-effective, on-schedule projects. We will partner closely with the Board of Trustees, facilities staff, deans and department heads, and the CM at Risk to prioritize scope, align with available budgets, and phase construction around academic calendars, residence move-ins, and major campus events in ways that minimize disruption to teaching, research, and student life.

By the Numbers

80+

200+

Employees

College and University Projects

45

$1.2B

Years in Business

College and University Contracts

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What Sets Us Apart?

How is our f irm a uniquely strategic match for a par tnership?

Cross-Sector Expertise Our diverse experience across education, healthcare, corporate, and hospitality sectors enables us to translate insights and lessons learned to complex challenges. We design K-12 schools where your prospective students begin their educational journey, and we design the corporate and professional buildings they will enter after graduation. We design environments that prepare students to be successful in future industries.

Responsible Cost Management Our efficiency-driven process, quality assurance, and expertise in university facility construction ensure predictable costs and long-term savings.

Evidence-Based Design Design is transformative - and we take that seriously. Using an evidencebased methodology, we delve into research and leverage insights gathered from diverse clients and end users to create impactful, informed designs.

Partnership & Learning Education is about learning and sharing experiences - the exchange of ideas. We view each partnership as a learning opportunity to discover new approaches to problem-solving through design. Creative and collaborative dialogue informs and inspires everything we do.

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Bo Diddley Plaza

PenAir Credit Union Headquarters

Luna at Viera

Alys Beach Pickleball & Tennis Center Higher Education Facilities | 5

Higher Education Experience Albany Technical College Phoebe Putney Living & Learning Center

Chipola College Center for the Arts

Florida A&M University Foote-Hillyer Administration Center Renovations

Seminole Production Upgrades & Interior Improvements Seminole Productions Sports Towers Wellness Center BIM Project Wellness Center Triage Renovation

Gulf Coast State College

Allied Health Simulation Lab

Nursing & Simulation Center

Athletic Locker Room Design

Firing Range Modifications North Bay Campus

Banneker "C" Classroom / Office Renovation

GCSC/Bay County Emergency Operations Center

CAFS Entomology Facility Programming

Health Sciences Building

Campus Dorm Study Live / Learn Study - Phase I Palmetto North

Language Arts Building

Centennial Building Lab 151 Renovation College of Engineering Classroom Renovations Diamond & McGuinn Feasibility Study FAMU Village - New 800-Bed Residence Hall Football Stadium Concept Gore Education Complex Remodeling Greenhouse Renovation Housing Sampson Young Renovation Programming – New Student Union Registrar's Office in Foote-Hillyer Administration Building Schematic Design Science Lab Renovation Student Union / Career Center Various Renovations

Florida State University

Workforce Development Offices / FHP Building Remodel

Northwest Florida State College Building 510 Renovation Building E Maintenance Master Planning - All Campuses Campus-Wide Building Maintenance Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) South Walton Crestview Airport Technical Center Remodel Dormitories EOC / Community Services Complex SREF Phase III Facility Review Health Technology Building incl. Dental Learning Resource Center Library Renovation

Alumni Center Ballroom Renovation

NWFSC CPTED Surveys

Campus Denny’s Renovation

Observatory

College of Engineering Mixing Lab

Racquet Ball Court Mod & Diesel Mech Tech Bldg Addition

UCB Dedman College of Hospitality Stair and Recruitment Office Renovation

Reynolds Smith Hills Joint Venture

Opperman Exterior Terrace & Site Improvements

South Walton Administration/Multipurpose Building

Primary Care and Behavioral Health Clinic

South Walton Campus Master Plan, Phase I, Monument Signage Design

Salley Hall ADA Restroom Renovation Sandels Lab 405 Renovation

Student Activities Remodel / Addition

Pensacola Christian College Bradley Hall Dormitory Renovation

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Pensacola State College

DOT Training Facility

Baars Building 1 Condition Assessment

Legacy Walk Concept Design

Building 12 (Cosmetology) Interior Renovations and Site Improvements

Tactical Entry House (Shoot Townhouse)

Building 3200 Renovation Veterinary Tech Downtown Center Stormwater Improvements Interior Renovations to Building 5 Fitness Center Programming and Site Analysis Facilities Assessment and Programming Study for Consolidation of Student Services Softball Complex

St. George's University Caribbean House Courtyard Tensile Structure Fitness Center and Classroom Building Food Vendor Patio Upgrade Sir Eric Matthew Gairy Hall Teaching Auditorium/Lecture Hall Welcome Center Renovation

Tallahassee Community College

Gadsden Center Master planning Ghazvini Center Master planning, Med Lab Addition Lifetime Sports Building Training Remodeling Old Dorm Renovations Quincy Center Master planning Student Union Addition Plan Review Wakulla Environmental Institute Center Resource & Testing Area Wakulla Environmental Institute Convention Center Wakulla Environmental Institute Infrastructure Extension Wakulla Environmental Institute Master Plan and RV Park

University of West Florida Darrell Gooden Stadium & Residence Hall Building 12 Programming for Additional Office Space

Administration Building Stair Walls Replacement

Building 18 Enrollment Affairs Department Renovation

Center for Innovation Master planning

Building 22 Nautilus Chamber Interior Modifications

Florida Public Safety Institute

Building 32 John C. Library First Floor Renovations; Library Circulation Department

Master Plan Administration Building Ammunition Storage Facility Applied Science Building Renovation Bomb Disposal Headquarters Cafeteria Building Remodeling and Multipurpose Addition Classroom / Range Building Addition

Building 4 Renovations to Mechanical Engineering Program Building 4 Center for Cybersecurity and Information Assurance (CCSIA) Renovation Building 4 Renovations to Mechanical Engineering Offices Building 58 Lab Renovations and Upgrades

Classroom Building A

Building 70 Department of Engineering and Computer Technology Renovation

Conference Center

Building 70 Room 118 Conversion to Offices

Defensive Tactics Building

Building 79 Interior Renovation Design Services

Department of Corrections Fireline

Building 80 Renovations

Dining Hall Kitchen Repair and Improvement

Buildings 77 & 78 Interior Finishes

Dormitory

Greek Housing Master Plan and Schematic Design

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Reimagining a Campus - St. George’s University Grenada, West Indies Our approach to master planning is rooted in collaboration and long-term vision, creating a forwardthinking roadmap that addresses immediate facility needs while anticipating future academic and operational requirements. A successful master plan serves as a dynamic blueprint for sustainable growth, ensuring every strategic decision aligns

with a campus’s broader mission.

Master planning is more than identifying future buildings on a site plan. It’s about planning for both existing and future functions through programming and pre-design strategies that include building assessments, consolidation of academic spaces, integration of social programs and administration

services, as well as the design and optimal location of outdoor student gathering spaces.

This holistic approach is illustrated at St. George’s University, where DAG’s work spans the master planning of several campus buildings that represent an integrated vision for the academic, residential, and recreational life of this Caribbean campus.

Lecture Hall and Teaching Auditorium Concept 40,000 SF | ~1,700 seats Sited on a promontory overlooking the bays beyond, the new Lecture Hall provides a multi-functional academic center that commands a civic presence and becomes a beacon when darkness falls. The building consists of a large Main Hall adjoined by two smaller Side Halls. A multi-leveled series of steps negotiates the 40 feet of elevation change from the main roadway to the entrance. A roof of laminated timber beams and rafters, supported by Y-shaped concrete columns along the angled sides, expresses structural integrity, while the clay tile roof honors the predominant campus vernacular.

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Dorm Room Plan

Residence Hall 63,596 SF | 240 beds With contextual sensitivity to modern student needs, this 240-bed dormitory reimagines campus living through innovative, cost-effective, community-centered spaces. The project unfolded in two phases, beginning with a comprehensive planning and programming effort that reassessed the University’s established design-build approach. Drawing on the proven success of the existing three-bedroom suite model, the design expands the concept with refined spatial planning and enhanced communal amenities: collaborative lounges, study nooks, and social zones placed to encourage interaction while preserving student privacy. Durable, passive cooling strategies and low-maintenance finishes ensure long-term sustainability and resilience in the island climate.

Health and Fitness Center 63,000 SF | Four stories The Health and Fitness Center provides open-air gathering space on the ground floor, a full-service fitness center on the second floor, and sub-dividable teaching and study spaces on the top two floors, each able to be divided into three soundproofed classrooms accommodating up to 144 students. The lowest level features an open breezeway that looks out toward the adjacent soccer field and the beach.

Exterior improvements include new basketball and volleyball courts, a CrossFit area, a boulder wall, and a south recreation plaza with two open-air pavilions and a large tensile structure spanning 90 feet.

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Haney Technical College Panama City, FL Since its opening in 1966, HTC has prepared students for skilled, high-paying careers. The design of the new college aligns with the evolving workforce needs of Bay County, featuring integrated lab and classroom spaces that promote realworld, hands-on learning. In the Nursing Lab, students train in realistic clinical settings, while the Computer Science/IT labs feature visible server rooms to showcase the cutting-edge tools used in instruction. The new campus center, located on the corner of FL-77 and Baldwin Road, serves as a welcoming “front door” to the community, enhancing the college’s reputation in the area. Designed to feel collegiate and accessible, it invites prospective students to explore high-demand programs in technical training and adult education.

The building has helped the college double its enrollment in Practical Nursing, as well as add two more medical programs: Central Sterile Technologies and Patient Care Technician. Additionally, the open communal spaces are utilized daily by students for studying, enjoying meals, and taking breaks.

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University of West Florida, Darrell Gooden Stadium Pensacola, FL Designed in partnership with CDFL.

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FSU Dedman College of Hospitality Tallahassee, FL The 1,600-square-foot renovation of this dated space began with a clear brief from the client: use highly visible signage, high-end finishes and fixtures, and an on-brand art installation built around the College’s tagline, “Where in the World Will Your Career Take You?”, a nod to its record of 100% global job placement. Our design team responded with three connected interventions: the Main Entry Atrium Stair, the Level 02 Landing, and a second-floor classroom converted into a dedicated Recruitment Office.

At the Atrium Stair, the railing was simplified and a cherry bench with planters fills the space below, beneath castbronze lettering drawing visitors upward. The Level 02 Landing centers on a cherry-and-quartz wall with the FSU seal sandblasted by a local artisan, an interactive touchscreen mapping alumni placements worldwide, and an overhead fixture playing on the tagline. Below, a cherry-and-brass world map holds the tagline in cast bronze. The former classroom opens through a frameless glass portal into a hospitality-style lounge with branded millwork, a digital newsletter wall, and two private offices.

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BEFORE

BEFORE

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Chipola College, Center of the Arts Marianna, FL

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Gulf Coast State College, Nursing & Simulation Center Panama City, FL The new 28,500 SF, two-story building is sited at the original location of the Natural Sciences Building. The architectural language reflects the contextual influence of the existing adjacent buildings and their historical importance to the campus.

With nursing administration areas, two large classrooms, two skills labs, a multi-bed simulation lab with AI manikins, and a Virtual Reality Lab, the facility brings modern and real-world experiences to the hundreds of nursing students GCSC trains each year. The new facility will assist in attracting and retaining students to the program, while also reinforcing the college brand and legacy in the region.

HLGstudio collaborated with DAG Architects on the interiors.

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Phoebe Putney Living & Learning Center Albany, GA Among the COVID-19 related challenges faced by Phoebe Putney Hospital System was a lack of trained nurses to staff their regional facilities. The healthcare provider decided to team with Albany Technical College Nursing School to offset the high cost of hiring traveling contract nurses by creating this $40-million Living & Learning Center, located on hospital property across the street from the main hospital entrance.

The facility was designed as a three-story 122,000 GSF building on the site of the abandoned Lee County High School, which had served the community for over 50 years. On the first level is a 46,000 SF state-of-the-art nursing school with ample classroom space, lecture halls, and simulation labs for future nurses to gain work experience. This education program also includes administration, student lounges, and break-out study spaces. The second and third levels are designed to house 80 market-rate nurse dormitory apartments. The offerings include studio, one-bedroom, and twobedroom units, in addition to communal lounge/study spaces.

This modern building complements the architecture of the hospital campus and is highlighted by a point cloud-recorded entry portal that recalls the original Colonial Revival style of the high school façade. The partnership between Albany Technical College and Phoebe Putney has spurred significant educational expansion, with a 37% year-to-date growth in student enrollment.

2025 ULI Atlanta Winner for the Award of Excellence for Civic Development

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FAMU, College of Entomology Master Planning & Concept Design Tallahassee, FL

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FAMU Village Residence Hall Tallahassee, FL As the first new residence hall on campus in more than 17 years, this project represents a key element, the design represents a key element in the university’s long-term strategy to enhance student services and foster a strong sense of community. The building features 800 beds spread across six floors, along with community rooms, study areas, and computer labs. As a new gateway to the campus, the building marks the western edge and complements the university’s architectural traditions while establishing its own unique identity. A notable feature is the “Game Day Lounge” on the fourth floor, which overlooks the central plaza and the football stadium, offering a space for student gatherings and enhancing the connection between the dorm and the stadium.

Cooper Carry and HLGstudio were partners on this project.

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IHMC Research Complex Pensacola, FL In partnership with Cooper Carry, the new Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) Research Complex is a leading-edge lab and office building. The three-story, 46,000-square-foot facility includes space for administrative support, outreach, and training, in addition to state-of-the-art laboratories. Program spaces with human activity are oriented to take advantage of north and east natural light. The main entry, with its large protective canopy, extends an invitation to visitors. The third floor provides a south-facing covered terrace beneath the large canopy, giving staff and researchers a sense of choice while enjoying views and breezes to the south. The interior lab spaces are designed for human interactions. Each open lab area is designed to be reworked and reconfigured quickly to accommodate changing tests. Technology built into the facility is designed to be easily upgraded as new testing methods and hardware are developed.

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FSU Primary Care and Behavioral Health Center Tallahassee, FL This new health center brings a range of primary care services to an underserved community of southwest Tallahassee for the first time. Addressing primary care, mental, and behavioral health needs, the clinic is served by certified physicians and FSU College of Medicine faculty along with a rotation of medical students.

The nearly 10,000-square-foot building, organized on one level for easy accessibility, features 15 patient exam rooms, two rooms dedicated to behavioral health services, two health procedure rooms, and two separate rooms for conferences and community activities. Adjacent to the building is a covered ambulance bay, offering convenient transportation to Tallahassee hospitals.

Using a neutral color palette, the exterior architecture is distinguished by the rhythm of gray-striped vertical banding that organizes the fenestration, expresses the functions of the interior program, and creates a building that harmonizes with the existing neighborhood.

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We have been impressed with not only DAG Architect’s level of commitment to the University, but also with their professionalism and abilities to complete programming and a design committed to UWF's needs.

– Glenda Mayo, Building Construction Program Advisor

University of West Florida, Dept. of Engineering Building 70 Ferry Pass, FL

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