When Bill Campie talks about DTJ DESIGN’s work, he doesn't start with the fact that the firm completed projects in more than 40 countries. He doesn't lead with the destination resorts, theme parks or master-planned communities that span six continents.

Instead, he talks about stories.

“We're really interested in projects where we can think about how the land works, and how we can build from that,” said Campie, a principal and partner at DTJ DESIGN. "We're really about finding what's special about a place and creating something from that."

That philosophy has guided the Boulder-based architecture, landscape architecture and planning firm for nearly 60 years. It's also helped DTJ grow from a small Colorado design-build company into an internationally recognized firm creating places where people live, gather, vacation and make memories around the world.

Today, the firm's portfolio includes destination resorts, hospitality developments, themed attractions, residential neighborhoods, public spaces, ski communities and mixed-use developments across the globe.

From Boulder Startup to Global Design Firm

DTJ's story began in Boulder when an engineer and an architect teamed up to create a design-build company called Downing Leach.

Their first project was simple: three houses.

They designed them, built them and sold them, earning a profit of $35,000. According to company lore, it remains one of the best returns the founders ever achieved.

Over time, the business evolved into three distinct companies focused on design, construction and development. DTJ DESIGN emerged as the design-focused successor to that original venture, carrying forward the entrepreneurial mindset that helped launch the company decades ago.

"It's pretty rare in our industry for a firm to have this kind of longevity," Campie said.

Like many businesses, DTJ faced significant challenges during the economic downturn of 2008 and 2009. The company reinvented itself during that period, creating the foundation for the firm that exists today.

Now, with fewer than 100 employees, DTJ continues to complete projects around the world while maintaining the collaborative culture of a much smaller organization.

How DTJ Design Approaches Architecture and Master Planning

While many architecture firms become known for a signature style, DTJ takes a different approach.

"Whenever we're working in a new location, we always try to think about getting on site, walking the site, understanding, as much as we can, about the local culture," Campie said. "We design around the place, not around us. We're not trying to do projects where somebody looks at it and says, well, that must have been a DTJ project. You wouldn't know who designed it. You'd just know that it was done really well."

That philosophy starts with understanding the story behind a place.

At a resort project in the Bahamas, DTJ incorporated architectural influences tied to the region's history while partnering with local artists to create murals and design elements that reflected the island's history and modern Bahamian culture.

For projects in China, the firm relies on team members with firsthand cultural knowledge to make designs feel authentic and connected to the communities they serve.

That storytelling mindset has helped DTJ expand into specialized markets, including destination resorts, ski communities and themed attractions. Whether the project is a water park, a luxury resort or an entertainment destination, the goal remains the same: create something that belongs to its environment rather than imposing a design upon it.

Growing Through Relationships and Strategic Expansion

DTJ's growth has been driven less by acquisition strategies and more by relationships built over time.

The firm's Atlanta office started with a conversation between neighbors sitting on lawn chairs in Boulder. What began as a casual discussion eventually grew into a new office and expanded opportunities throughout the Southeast.

Its Austin office emerged from a professional relationship that had been developing for nearly two decades before the firms joined forces.

Today, DTJ operates from offices in Boulder, Denver, Atlanta and Austin, allowing the company to attract talent from different regions and perspectives while serving clients across the globe.

Supporting International Projects Around the World

As DTJ expanded internationally, its banking needs evolved as well.

Managing projects around the world means moving funds internationally, paying partners across borders and maintaining strong security controls to protect the business.

DTJ has worked with FNBO for approximately 20 years, and Campie says the relationship has adapted alongside the firm's growth.

"We've got to be able to move money all over the world and pay people internationally," he said.

For a business operating across multiple countries and time zones, the combination of accessibility, security and support helps DTJ focus on serving clients rather than managing financial logistics.

The Future of Place-Based Design at DTJ

As DTJ approaches its sixth decade in business, the firm's priorities remain remarkably consistent: create exceptional work, attract talented people and continue building places that reflect the communities and cultures around them.

The company isn't chasing the tallest building or the most recognizable skyline.

Instead, DTJ focuses on creating destinations that feel authentic to the people who experience them. Every project begins the same way: by understanding the story of a place and bringing it to life.

And for Campie, that's what makes the work worthwhile.

"We have to remind ourselves sometimes that we're lucky that we get to do what we do."

Watch the video below to learn more about DTJ DESIGNS.