“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.
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DEWEES DESIGN was originally founded in 2005 by Donnie DeWees as a Creative, Collaborative Design and Art Studio dedicated to the design and construction industry. Donnie has taken the culmination of 35 plus years in the profession and created a design studio that rigorously explores unique, creative ideas while being dedicated to meeting the needs of the client and striving to always do what is in the best interest of the project as a whole.
DEWEES DESIGN is located in the Old Towne Historic District of Orange, California at the Ice House Studios which is housed in The Ice House, an award-winning historic warehouse from the citrus industry that is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Donnie is considered an industry leader in the design of Fire Stations and Emergency Response Facilities throughout the state of California having completed 16 different Fire Stations for six different Fire Agencies.
He is also considered an expert in the design of both Domestic and International Theme Parks and the supportive facilities, rides and attractions that accompany such projects.
Donnie has created a 35-year portfolio of diverse, award-winning design work for the following project typologies:
- Fire Station and Emergency Response Facilities
- Restaurant and Food Service Facilities
- Entertainment, Theme Park and Water Park Projects
- Higher Education Facilities
- Medical Space Planning and Facility Design
- Commercial and Retail Facility Design
- Military Physical Fitness Projects
- Single-Family Residential Custom Residences
- Accessory Dwelling Units – A.D.U.s
- Residential Remodels and Additions
- Multi-Family Residential Projects
- Commercial and Retail Interiors
- Churches and Church Set Design
- Custom Furniture Design
- Professional Sand Sculpting Studio – DD/SSS
Dedication to the Profession of Architecture
- Donnie has served the American Institute of Architects as a Director on the boards of both the AIA Orange County and the AIA California Council. He has also chaired and been a member of numerous committees for AIA Orange County.
- Donnie was awarded the John S. Bolles, FAIA Fellowship Award by the AIA California Council in 2021 and given two Special Commendations in 2020 and 2021 for his participation in the AIA California Council Mentoring Program.
Dedication to the Environment
- Donnie is LEED Accredited Professional (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
- He has designed three fire stations that achieved LEED Certification and incorporates sustainable building practices in all projects.
Dedication to Architectural Education
- Donnie has served Architectural Education in Orange County by chairing the Community College Design Competition from 1997 to 2001 as well as being a Co-Chair of the AIA California Council Mentoring Program that was developed from 2000-2001.
- Donnie has been invited as a guest speaker at multiple community colleges since 2000 and has been a guest critic and juror for the Cal Poly Pomona/Walt Disney Imagineering – Bobby Brooks Studio from 2011 to present as well as being a guest critic at California Baptist University from 2022 to present.
Dedication to Nurturing the Next Generation
- Donnie is dedicated to teaching and mentoring the next generation within the field by creating a studio environment for student interns to further their professional knowledge in the field.
Dedication to the Community
- Donnie served the City of Orange as a member of the City’s Design Review Committee from 2003 to 2008 and has devoted his pro-bono time to the Assistance League of Orange and the Friends Church Elementary School in Yorba Linda.
- Donnie is currently on the Board of the Old Town Preservation Association located in the City of Orange, California and is the Co-Chair of its Preservation Committee.
Dedication to the Arts
- Donnie has continued to pursue his status as one of the leading sand sculptors in the industry and continues to participate in professional projects and national contests on an annual basis. Sand sculpture has allowed him to travel the globe as well as extensively throughout the United States in pursuit of his art. Donnie is also a skilled artist in the area of hand-sketches and illustrations.
DD/SSS – DeWees Design Sand Sculpting Studio
- This is a new artistic and business entity started in 2020 and based on Donnie DeWees’ 35 plus years as a Professional Sand Sculptor.
