Building a Legacy: Celebrating Architecture Appreciation Month
Every October, Architecture Appreciation Month reminds us that great design doesn’t just shape buildings — it shapes communities, memories, and generations. At Davis Architects, this month is more than a celebration of the profession we love. It’s a moment to honor the legacy we’ve built over more than 110 years, a legacy defined by innovation, leadership, and deep commitment to the communities we serve.
From our earliest projects to the work we do today, each decade has added a new chapter to our story. Here are just a few of the milestones that have shaped who we are:
1912 – Founded as E.B. Van Keuren, one of Birmingham’s earliest architectural firms.
1925 – Edgewood Elementary School opens in Homewood – a pioneering example of suburban school design and one of our earliest community-centered projects.
1926 – Minor High School marks our first large-scale secondary school project, establishing a legacy in educational design that continues today.
1936 – Helen Sellers Davis becomes Alabama’s first female registered architect, paving the way for women in the profession across the Southeast.
1939 – Charles F. Davis joins the firm, beginning a multigenerational family legacy of leadership.
1946 – The firm is renamed Van Keuren & Davis as Charles Davis becomes partner.
1948 – Shades Valley High School is completed, celebrated for its modernist design and innovative use of natural light.
1955 – Master planning for Howard College (now Samford University) begins, establishing the campus’s iconic Georgian architectural style.
1966 – Charles Davis receives an honorary doctorate from Samford University for his visionary campus planning contributions.
1977 – Neil Davis joins the firm and completes his first major project, the award-winning Talladega Plaza Shopping Center.
1984 – The Stringfellow Memorial Hospital addition earns AIA recognition for its thoughtful and patient-centered healthcare design.
1995 – Officially rebranded as Davis Architects, preparing the firm for the future.
2001 – Williams Self Propst Hall at Samford University opens – an early LEED-informed science and math facility.
" I love the way Propst Hall acts as an eastern termination to the campus quad, but also a gateway to student housing and now the growing College of Health Sciences. The building weathers the test of time being nearly 25 years old now, but only needing a few modifications along the way such as expanding Anatomy labs to accommodate the increased demand due to CHS studies. Propst Hall also has a couple surprises hidden inside that were really fun to incorporate into the design. The nearly 100 seat Planetarium supports the Samford Physics department, but it also hosts local schools for a fun science experience. And the suspended pendulum serves as a nice stopping point in the central stair where the Samford seal grounds the compass rose that helps track the earth’s movement. And not so hidden is the traditional Conservatory on the south end of the building that was custom built in England, and houses a wonderful educational collection of tropical and desert plants." – Julee Potter, Executive Vice President
2006 – The Bryant-Denny Stadium North End Zone Expansion adds 235,000 square feet, bringing capacity to more than 92,000 and making it one of the largest on-campus stadiums in the nation.
2011 – The Birmingham CrossPlex opens - a LEED-certified, 221,000-square-foot athletic facility that transformed the Five Points West community.
“The Birmingham CrossPlex is a truly unique facility, conceived by the city of Birmingham to support the revitalization of the Five Points West neighborhood. To be able to participate in the design of a state-of-the-art indoor track & field facility and Olympic-style natatorium — something that had never been done before in Alabama — was an incredible design opportunity for our firm. That the building has been such an unqualified success for the city, hosting events like the NCAA Division I Track & Field Championships, is something I am proud of in my career as an architect.” Jim Hartsell, Vice President
2015 – The Brock School of Business at Samford University is completed, providing a three-story atrium, collaborative learning spaces, and modern classrooms to create a dynamic, professional environment for students and faculty.
“The Brock School of Business at Cooley Hall on Samford University’s campus was my introduction to Georgian Colonial architecture and working with Samford. It was a pivotal learning experience in my career of understanding the balance and scale of classical architecture. I loved working with the faculty, staff, and administration to design and construct a building that would serve their students needs and fit seamlessly into their campus context.” Gabrielle Fuller, Senior Vice President, Architecture
2021 – The Podium in Spokane, Washington, a premier indoor track facility, receives honors from AIA, the Downtown Spokane Partnership, and Urban Land Institute.
2025 – Courtney Pittman is named the firm’s first female president, continuing our legacy of leadership and innovation.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate Architecture Appreciation Month, we’re grateful for the visionaries who came before us and the clients and communities who have trusted us along the way. From schools and hospitals to sports arenas and sacred spaces, Davis Architects has always been about more than buildings — we’ve been about people, purpose, and progress.
Here’s to the next century of shaping spaces that inspire.