Ron Stelmarski

FAIA, LEED AP
Principal, Design Director, Dallas

Ron’s first exposure to design was in the fourth grade, when his family constructed a new home near Shaker Heights, Ohio. Fascinated by the interplay of light and space, Ron knew he wanted to pursue a career in architecture as soon as it was completed.

In junior high, Ron continued his studies in light and experimented with photography, processing images in his own darkroom. His time spent documenting the world around him sharpened his appreciation for the visual language of storytelling.

An award-winning designer, Ron’s multi-faceted interest in design spans several disciplines including architecture, interiors, brand experience and urban design. His hands-on approach is not only highly collaborative, but also heavily research-based.

Ron believes that architecture is the connective tissue that unites people, place, and culture.  This philosophy informs every project he undertakes. His passion for enhancing the public realm motivates him to the core.

Learn more about Stelmarski's life, work, and creative philosophy.
Scuola Grande della Misericordia, Venice, Italy
Photo credit: Mattia Finotto
Connecting Communities

Ron was invited to speak at THE PLATFORM Architecture Festival in conjunction with the 2023 Venice Biennale. The exhibition explored projects that focus on “an action, a desire for a rediscovered sense of being together.”

Ron presented on the Singing Hills Recreation Center, a first-of-its-kind, multi-generational facility in a historically underserved neighborhood in Dallas. The design assembles landscape, bike trials, and passenger train line into a piece of meaningful social infrastructure. A sense of place is formed by the intersection of recreation, community, education, and commuting.

“There are no shortcuts to success. You have to listen, engage, put in the work, and deliver. You have to bring a sense of optimism to the spaces—we're creating the future and that’s exciting.”
A Key Inspiration

A key inspiration for Ron was his grandfather, a woodworker who helped ingrain the ideas of “making” and working with your hands.

Fun Fact

Ron and his wife Lisa were married at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois. The quality of light and space was the perfect setting, combining Ron’s passion for design and the city where Lisa grew up.

Ron's Featured Work

Work
Fire Station 27
Dallas, Texas
Work
The Richards Group
Dallas, Texas
WSU Experiential Engineering Thumbnail
Work
Wichita State University Experiential Engineering Building
Wichita, Kansas
TheEpicDeepEllum
Work
The Epic
Dallas, Texas
Halbert Walling Exteriors
Work
Abilene Christian University Onstead Science Center and Halbert-Walling Research Center
Abilene, Texas
Exterior dusk shot
Work
Baylor Scott & White Sports Therapy and Research at The Star
Frisco, Texas
Exterior building shot
Work
Pulaski Technical College Fine and Performing Arts and Humanities Center
North Little Rock, Arkansas
Work
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
New York, New York
Work
Baylor Scott & White Health Administrative Center
Dallas, Texas
Work
Collin College Technical Campus
Allen, Texas
Work
High Speed Rail
Dallas - Brazos Valley - Houston, Texas
Work
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation American Cancer Society, Hope Lodge
Houston, Texas
Work
The Pittman Hotel
Dallas, Texas
Work
Singing Hills Recreation Center
Dallas, Texas
El Paso Eastside Recreation Center
Work
Eastside Recreation Center
El Paso, Texas
Work
Austin Community College Highland Campus, Phase II
Austin, Texas
Work
University of Oklahoma Medical Center Expansion
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Work
Lubbock City Hall
Lubbock, Texas
a rendering of the exterior of the center for medical education and wellness
Work
Center for Medical Education and Wellness
Shreveport, Louisiana
Work
Princeton Municipal Complex
Princeton, Texas