Daniel Engen, AIA
President / Principal
Bachelor of Architecture, Texas Tech University
Daniel Engen is the President of DRAW Collective and is recognized for turning complex designs into impactful spaces that serve and reflect the communities they represent. With over 30 years of experience, Dan has consistently delivered meaningful solutions for clients across a range of sectors, including healthcare, PK-12, higher education, and community. His strengths in communication, collaborative leadership, and deep client engagement have earned him a diverse and successful project portfolio. Dan brings a particular passion and expertise to school design, creating environments that not only support each institution’s unique educational goals but also resonate with students and enhance their daily experiences.
Get to know Dan:
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I enjoy creating in the woodshop and the occasional bourbon with my Thief & Leaf Society friends. Most free time is spent trying to play outdoors kayaking, backpacking or traveling with my family.
What are your most impactful projects at DRAW?:
For me, the architectural process is everything. Working with our clients to pinpoint how a design most represents their complex community of users and seeing a concept come to life for them is what DRAW is all about. We have been blessed to work on projects that serve others in meaningful ways. Two recent ones that stand out for me are, the Clarion Health & Wellness Center and the new Steel Valley Elementary School.
The Clarion Health & Wellness Center design focused on creating a single location with the most needed services for rural family healthcare. The Clarion/DRAW design team’s solution envisioned how to provide a spectrum of patient needs in one facility to reduce doctor visits and empathetically center on patient lifestyles.
The new Steel Valley Elementary School has been in the making for over a decade. Having completed multiple Master Planning studies over many years, the school district ultimately coalesced around a solution to bring its two separate elementary student populations together. It has been so satisfying for DRAW to be a part of designing a new 21st century school building for these young students!
What keeps you coming back to work everyday?
Everything centers around the wonderful and talented people we have here at DRAW. I look forward to most days at work because my teammates are friendly and engaged. It is so easy to spend time with them.
What is your favorite architectural building?
Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. I have been fascinated by the organic nature of Gaudi’s work since I was in school. I was lucky enough to visit Sagrada Familia with my family and it was stunning and emotional for me.
What is your dream destination?
New Zealand and South Africa are tied for my dream destinations.
What is your bucket list item?
To catch a butterfly deep in the Amazon rainforest.
