Ozarks Profile: Don Briggs

What is your job?

Architect and owner, Briggs Architecture + Design, 1740 S. Glenstone, Ste. P.

Tell us about your organization.

Briggs formed Architectural Creations Inc., the precursor of Briggs Architecture + Design, in 1993 with a partner. Briggs restructured the company and renamed it Briggs Architecture + Design three years later. "We decided we would focus on residential architecture and custom homes, and also accessory design products such as light fixtures, gates, doors any accessory that would go in your home," Briggs said. The company has three employees and is located in Glenstone Square. "When I design a custom home for a family, it's going to fit them. It may not be appropriate for anyone else, but I do enough groundwork initially to get to know them and reflect that in the home."

What is your educational background?

Briggs holds a bachelor of architecture degree from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.

What jobs led you to your current one?

"After graduation, I moved to Oklahoma and worked in various firms there. I did a lot of commercial work then. My second job out of school was working for Turner & Fox, a firm that did a lot of custom homes. Custom homes struck a chord with me; I just loved that scale of architecture." Briggs returned to the commercial sector for awhile, then went to work for a large firm out of Dallas that had a branch office in Tulsa. While in Tulsa, Briggs also worked for Jack Arnold, the architect who introduced country French architecture to the area, before moving to Springfield in 1986. He worked as a designer for a Springfield architecture firm for two years before going to work for Bass Pro Shops in 1988. "The first major project I was involved in with Bass Pro was Big Cedar Lodge, which made up about 80 percent of my involvement with Bass Pro during the 5 1/2 years I was there. I always had a desire to get back into residential architecture. In 93 I was given the unique opportunity of designing a home for someone who visited Big Cedar. He had consulted with Fayetteville architect E. Fay Jones, and Fay referred him to me. I moonlighted with this gentleman for months and was working 100 hours a week between his project and Bass Pro. I finally decided to start my own firm." That project, which was the K-Mac ranch, near Cassville was inspired by the Old West. It became Briggs' benchmark and launched his practice.

What is the best part of your job?

"Walking into a completed building and seeing the reality of it. When I walk into that finished product, knowing that at one time it was just an idea, and seeing the smile on the clients' faces, the feeling is indescribable."

Give us some personal information.

Briggs is 43 and is from Muskogee, Okla. He is married to Debra, who works in St. John's Regional Health Center's business office. They have two children: Matthew, 14, and Hayli, 11, who will both attend Carver Middle School in the fall. Briggs enjoys art, traveling, reading, spending time with his family and working out. Briggs' professional memberships include the Springfield chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield and the Executive Breakfast Club. He is also a member of the Church of Christ and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

by Melissa Wilson