Q+ founding principal Doug Quackenbush is an architect of many contexts: a visionary, a design thinker and explorer, a collaborator. And, just as importantly, a design rationalist.

"We imagine solutions that are visually and functionally valid—essentially, designs of our age,” says Doug, who has led the successful and award-winning team of Q+ architects for 19 years. Since he launched the firm in 2004, Doug and his team have completed over 400 projects in communities across South Carolina, from institutional, corporate and commercial designs, to higher education and K-12 endeavors. The firm continues to win accolades and awards for its vision and aesthetics, and its pursuit of high standards in sustainable design.

“Our focus is on architecture that is relevant to our contemporary world – that is, environments that are high performing, contextual, and sustainable. We achieve this with designs that can adapt to an ever-changing society,” Doug says.

Doug owes much of this success to his team of associates and office staff, who maintain an open and deliberative environment. “Each person brings his or her own values to the design equation,” he says. He also maintains that design and construction collaborations with nationally known, highly specialized firms aid in the company’s accomplishments. “These kind of partnerships not only mean we can work smarter and more efficiently, but that we learn from each other,” he says. “We gain the knowledge of their specialty know-how, and they receive the benefit of our regional expertise in how to build in South Carolina.”

As principal in charge, Doug provides hands-on leadership at each phase of every single Q+ project. Much of his work focuses on the front end of the process, from the programming and schematic design phases, to client communications. In recent years, the firm has shifted toward more educational projects, and continues its focus on designs that are rooted in the community.

Doug earned a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Design at Clemson University. He is a member and past president of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, is NCARB certified, and is registered to practice in South Carolina and Georgia. A LEED Accredited Professional and an engaged member of the community, Doug currently serves as the Southeast Regional Governor for the Association for Learning Environments and sits on both the Historic Columbia Foundation Board and the Board of Directors for the 701 Center for Contemporary Art.

Previous leadership service includes the Clemson Advancement Foundation for Building and Design; the Clemson University President's Advisory Board; Columbia Design League (Founding Board Member); the University of South Carolina Board of Dance; the Community Design Center of Columbia (two years as chairman); the Dreher Foundation; the Shandon Neighborhood Council (president); and a graduate of Leadership Columbia and Leadership South Carolina.