About Us

Global Design Alliance is an international network of dynamic design, planning and construction firms who are committed to growth and change. Building on a foundation of shared values, we've joined forces to pursue business opportunities, share project and process expertise, and act as a source of management best practices to keep pace with the clients we serve.

The Global Design Alliance's mission is to be "better together."

• To our members...because we expand their business opportunities, knowledge and relationships.
• To our clients...because we are a comprehensive resource and our collective wisdom yields better solutions.
• To our industry...because we are an interdisciplinary perspective on the future and a laboratory for experimentation and innovation.
• To the world...because we share a commitment to making it a better place.
• To individuals...because we expand their opportunities for professional and personal growth.

The Global Design Alliance was formed in 1993 as the Strategic Team of Allied Resources (STAR) with 9 founding member firms.  The goal was a new model for practice based on common values, spirit of partnership, learning from and supporting each other and marketing together.  A code of conduct and commitments were established to ensure the group was more than simply another professional organization.

One of the founding members, Lou Marines, captured the intent...

“The glue that provides the sustenance to our existence is the commonality of values which allows us to be cohorts, to be friends, to be trusting in each other and in the spirit of partnership to both support each other and to protect each others' back - that for me is what we are about.”

As a living experiment in trust-based teaming for almost 20 years, the GDA represents over 2,500 employees with over $425 million in design fees each year and over 50 offices in eight countries.

Mailing address: 26 Grammercy Park South - 4B | New York, NY 10003 | 971.887.3860