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Rob FarrCDFL Takes Pride in Creating Environments to Inspire Occupants

Msdigitaldaily.com / By Nell Luter Floyd / August 31, 2010

Drive through each region of Mississippi, and you’ll find office buildings, state-of-the-art research centers, schools, federal buildings and other landmarks designed by the architects and engineers at Cooke Douglass Farr Lemons.
 
The Jackson-based firm of architects, engineers, landscape architects and support personnel specializes in meeting the desires and needs of the client. Here’s one testament to that: Repeat clients compose more than 80 percent of the firm’s work. 

“Through our multi-disciplinary approach including architecture, engineering, interior design and land planning, we are able to give our clients more concise, coordinated and completed projects from initial conception to completed design,” said Rob Farr II, AIA, principal and chief executive officer of CDFL.
 
CDFL prides itself on creating environments that inspire their occupants.

“We can, for example, inspire a better working environment, inspire health or inspire creativity,” said Jessica Warren, AIA, architect.
 
The company also understands the importance of cultivating a challenging and fulfilling environment for associates. Warren continues, “As associates, we have opportunities to do creative, exciting design because of long-term relationships with our clients, the portfolio of existing work, and ownership of projects, which produces accountability and a desire to excel. This firm has years of landmarks to look back on, and each building that is built adds to this rich history.”
                      
Founded in 1961 by Nelson Douglass, P.E.; Bill Cooke, P. E.; and Bob Farr, AIA, the firm now has 57 employees. CDFL has projects all over the southeast, with the majority in Mississippi. The firm strives to strengthen the community not only through their projects, but also through volunteering and sponsorship of various organizations and charities.
 
 “Mississippi, Jackson in particular, provides CDFL with a diverse base of clients and professional resources to grow our practice,” said Matthew Buchanan, AIA, architect. “We try to give back by donating and participating in community events such as the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Symphony at Sunset fundraiser for the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Animal House Party fundraiser for the Community Animal Rescue Association (CARA) and various other events.
 
“We also strive to develop young professionals in their respective careers within our organization to be the best they can be by providing continuing education opportunities, inter-office mentoring, and memberships to professional organizations,” Buchanan said.
 
Outside of Mississippi, CDFL currently has projects in Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina and Indiana. Current out-of-state projects include:
 
– Fort Bragg Warrior In Transition Barracks, Fort Bragg, N.C. – A four-story facility designed to provide custom temporary housing for soldiers injured in the line of duty. It is handicapped accessible and interior finishes were chosen to create a tranquil environment.

– Rotary Wing Center Hangar Facility and Redstone Test Center Headquarters, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala. – A steel frame building for the maintenance and testing of Army rotorcraft/helicopters.
 
– Luke Restaurant - San Antonio, Texas  – Luke is part of the Besh Restaurant portfolio created by celebrity chef John Besh.  The San Antonio location will be part of the new Embassy Suites Hotel on the city’s famous Riverwalk.
 
– Northwest Athletic Complex, Purdue University, Ind.. – The project includes a new lighted stadium, pedestrian plaza and corridor linking the baseball and soccer venues, parking facilities, practice field and utility infrastructure for the complex.
 
When asked about particularly challenging projects, Farr commented on the over-arching issue of sustainability. 

“The Green Building Initiative is beginning to drive the profession, and our company is actively working toward educating our employees,” he said. “Eleven of our associates are LEED Accredited, and many more are working on achieving this standard.  As our knowledge is built, our clients will reap the benefits.”
 
The LEED system rates facilities on areas such as sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality, and issues certification for qualified buildings.
 
According to CDFL Brand Manager Jennifer Boone, “The question I get asked the most when I tell people I work for CDFL is ‘What are you working on locally?’”  From downtown and west Jackson, to Madison and Canton, CDFL projects include:
 
• Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Renovation, corner of Amite and President streets
• Jackson State University, School of Science, Engineering and Technology
• Center for Nursing and Allied Health Services, Hinds Community College, Raymond
• Mississippi State Fairgrounds, Farmer’s Market
• Trustmark National Bank, Highland Colony Parkway and Steed Road, Ridgeland
• Auditoriums at Madison Central High School and Ridgeland High School
• St. Catherine’s Village addition, Madison
• The Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Canton