Davis Fenton Stange Darling, Architects
Also DBA: D | F | S | D
Principals:
Ellery Hall Davis, 1969-1976.[2]
William M. Fenton, Architect, 1969-1986.[2]
James H. Stange, 1969-1994.[2]
Howard “Pat” Darling, 1969-1986.[2]
Lynn L. Jones, 1976-1994.[2]
Matthew C. Metcalf, 1987-1994.[2]
Robyn [Langvardt] Myers, Interior Designer, 1987-____.[2]
Douglas V. Elting, 1991-1994.[2]
Davis Fenton Stange Darling is the successor firm of Davis & Wilson. The four founding partners of the new firm were already principals in Davis & Wilson prior to the re-organization. Jim Stange, the last of the original founders to retire, did so in 1994. The next year the firm re-organized as Davis Design, Architects.
This page is a contribution to the publication, Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. See the format and contents page for more information on the compilation and page organization.
Contents
Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings
Lincoln, Nebraska, 1969-1994
Lineage of the Firm
1910-1917: Berlinghof & Davis, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.
1917-1921; Ellery L. Davis, Architect, Lincoln, Nebraska.
1921-1968: Davis & Wilson, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.
1969-1994: Davis Fenton Stange Darling, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.
1995-2017: Davis Design, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Educational & Professional Associations
1969: founded by the then four principals of Davis & Wilson, Inc., Ellery Hall Davis, William M. Fenton, James H. Stange, and Pat Darling.[2]
1972: Robyn Langvardt joined the firm as director of interior design.[ed]
1976: Lynn Jones becames a principal in the firm.[2]
1987: Matthew Metcalf and Robyn [Langvardt] Myers became principals.[2]
1991: Douglas Elting became a principal; the firm opened an Omaha office.[2]
1994: Jim Stange retired; Lynn Jones became chairman of the board, and Mat Metcalf became president.[2]
1995: the firm reorganized as Davis Design.[2]
Other Associations
1945-____: employed Bill Woltemade.[6][7]
1947-1992: employed Clyde S. Root, Jr., draftsman.[6][7][10]
1971: employed Reginald Davies.[7]
1958-____: employed Gene Wright.[7]
1971-1994: employed Lynn Jones .[6][7]
1971-____: employed Doug Elting as draftsman, then architect.[6][7]
1971-1974: employed Robert C. Ripley as draftsman.
1971-1974: employed David R. Murphy, briefly as draftsman, then design room architect.
1972-1977: employed Thomas Lee Kaspar as draftsman.[6]
1974-____: employed Jerry Berggren.[6]
1974-____: employed Bob Carpenter, architect.[6]
1974-____: employed Jim Mischnick.[6]
1974-____: employed Robert Myers.[6]
1974-____: employed Scott Sheehan.[6]
1989-1994: employed J. Edward Bukacek, architect.
1992-1995: employed Philip A. Daubman, director.
Buildings & Projects
1960s Work
Centennial Hall Dormitory (1969), Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Nebraska. [12:121]
Dodge County Community Hospital (1969), Fremont, Nebraska.[6][7]
Nebraska State Office Building (1969-1974), Lincoln, Nebraska.[6][7][f]
1970s Work
Food Service Building (1970), Beatrice State Home, Beatrice, Nebraska.[6][7][i]
Bryan Memorial Hospital Master Plan (1970), Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
Square D Industrial Plant (1970), Lincoln, Nebraska.[2][6]
Addition (1970), Schuyler Community Hospital, Schuyler, Nebraska.[6][7]
Peat, Marwick, Mitchell Office (1970), Lincoln, Nebraska.[6][7]
York Community Hospital (1970-1974), York, Nebraska.[6][7]
Addition (1970-1971), Christian Homes, Holdrege, Nebraska.[6][7]
Medical Building – Fifty-Bed Hospital (1970-1973), Lincoln Regional Center, Lincoln, Nebraska.[6][7][i]
Lincoln Municipal Airport Terminal (1970-1974), Lincoln, Nebraska.[2][6][7][a]
Addition (1971), Bryan Memorial Hospital, Lincoln, Nebraska.[6][7]
Proposal (ca. 1971), Gibbon Elementary School, Gibbon, Nebraska.[7]
Plan (ca. 1971), University of Nebraska Life Science Complex, Lincoln, Nebraska.[7]
West Point Junior-Senior High School (ca. 1971-1974), West Point, Nebraska.[6][7]
Geneva Junior-Senior High School (ca. 1971-1975), Geneva, Nebraska.[7]
Remodel (1971-ca. 1975), Lincoln High School, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2][6]
AID Insurance Services Building (1972), Lincoln, Nebraska.[6][h]
Remodel (1972), Stuart Theatre, 13th & P, Lincoln, Nebraska.[6][c]
Cushman Motors (1972), Lincoln, Nebraska.[6]
Addition (1972), Seward Hospital, Seward, Nebraska.[6]
Addition (1972), Christian Homes Food Service, Holdrege, Nebraska.[6]
Holdrege High School (1972), Holdrege, Nebraska.[6]
Mahoney Manor (1972-1973), 4241 N 61st, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Love Library, North Wing (1972-1975), University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2][6][7][i]
Addition (1973), Misle Chevrolet, Lincoln, Nebraska.[6]
Addition (1973), Union Bank, Lincoln, Nebraska.[6]
Addition (1973), Jones National Bank, Seward, Nebraska.[6]
Remodel (1973), York Auditorium, York, Nebraska.[6]
University of Nebraska Systems Office Building - Regents Hall – Varner Hall (1973), 3835 Holdrege, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.[6][c]
Remodel (1973), Library, Kearney State College, Kearney, Nebraska.[6]
Addition (1973), North Ward School, Schuyler, Nebraska.[6]
Devaney Sports Center (1973), University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2][f]
Remodel (1973), First Presbyterian Church, 17th & F, Lincoln, Nebraska.[6]
Cooper Foundation Building & Cooper Plaza Theatres (1973-1974), 201 N. 12th, Lincoln, Nebraska.[6][d] (LC13:09-131)
Providence Medical Center (1973-1975), 1200 Providence Road, Wayne, Nebraska.[6][e]
State Office Building Parking Structure (1974), Lincoln, Nebraska.[6][i]
Mazda of Lincoln (1974), Lincoln, Nebraska.[6]
Jantzen, Inc. (1974), Lincoln, Nebraska.[6]
Tri-County Hospital (1974), Lexington, Nebraska.[6]
Expansion (1974), Goodyear Plant, Lincoln, Nebraska.[6]
St. Anthony’s Hospital (1974), O’Neill, Nebraska.[6]
Field House (1974), University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.[6][i]
Remodel (1974), Mantor Hall, Kearney State College, Kearney, Nebraska.[6]
Plan for Great Western Bank (ca. 1974), Kearney, Nebraska.[11
First National Bank and Trust Company Building (1974-1975), 21 W 21st, Kearney, Nebraska.[6][h]
Addition and Remodel, Commonwealth Electric Company Building (1974-1975), 1901 Y, Lincoln, Nebraska.[b]
Associated architects, National Bank of Commerce - NBC Center (1974-1976), 1248 O St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2][6][g]
Planning for Falls City Hospital (ca. 1975), Falls City, Nebraska.[6]
Planning for Long Term Care Unit (ca. 1975), York General Hospital, York, Nebraska.[6]
Addition (ca. 1975), Lincoln General Hospital, Lincoln, Nebraska.[6]
Planning for Doctors Office building (ca. 1975), Norfolk, Nebraska.[6]
Planning for Addition (ca. 1975), Schuyler High School, Schuyler, Nebraska.[6]
Planning for City of Lincoln Parking Structure (ca. 1975), Lincoln, Nebraska.[6][i]
Planning for Hastings Hilton Motor Hotel (ca. 1975), Hastings, Nebraska.[6]
Planning for Chapel (ca. 1975), Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Nebraska.[6]
Planning for Office-Classroom Building (ca. 1975), Kearney State College, Kearney, Nebraska.[6]
Planning for Theatre & Speech Complex (ca. 1975), Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Nebraska.[6]
Planning for Field House (ca. 1975), Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Nebraska.[6]
Physical Education Activity Center (1976), Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Nebraska. [12:123]
Commonwealth Savings Building (1977), 144 N 11th, Lincoln, Nebraska. (LC13:C09-144)
1980s Work
Diagnostic Expansion (1980), Bryan Memorial Hospital, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
University Club Addition (1980), Stuart Building, 13th & P, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2][h]
Theatre & Speech Center (1981), Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
John Prasch Activities Center (1984), Southeast High School, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1][4][5]
Renovation (1984), Bessey Hall, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.[5]
Intensive Care Unit (1984), Lutheran Community Hospital, Norfolk, Nebraska.[5]
Renovations (1984), 32 Officer’s Quarters, Offut Air Force Base, Bellevue, Nebraska.[5]
Entrance Addition and Master Plan (1985), St. Francis Memorial Hospital, West Point, Nebraska.[5]
Project for Packard Office Building (1985-1986), 1420 P, Lincoln, Nebraska.[8]
Lincoln Water System Service and Control Center (1985-1986), Lincoln, Nebraska.[8]
Animal Sciences Building (1988), University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
Recreation Center (1988), Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.[2]
1990s Work
Outpatient and Office Expansion (1990), Bryan Memorial Hospital, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
Diagnostics and Office Expansion (1992), Lincoln General Hospital, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
Beadle Center for Genetics and Biomaterials Research (1991-1993), 20th & Vine, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1][2][3]
Remodel (1993), Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
Carriage Park Garage (1994), Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
Notes
a. Davis Clark & Associates, Architects; James H. Stange lead designer.[9]
b. Lynn L. Jones, Michael Epp, and David R. Murphy, designers.[9]
c. Ellery Hall Davis, designer.[9]
d. James H. Stange, designer.[9]
e. Lynn L. Jones and David R. Murphy, designers.[9]
f. Davis Clark & Associates, Architects; Albert Hamersky, lead designer.[9]
g. I. M. Pei & Partners, Architects; James Ingo Freed (1930-2005), designer. Davis Fenton Stange Darling, local associated architects.
h. Lynn L. Jones, designer.[9]
i. In association with other architects.[6]
References
1. Butch Mabin, “Davis Design has been shaping Lincoln since adolescence,” Lincoln Journal Star (March 2, 2003): 30M.
2. Jim Stange, “Davis Design: Design Excellence since 1912,” Preservation Association of Lincoln, Brown Bag Lecture Series, Museum of Nebraska History, Lincoln, May 13, 2003.
3. John Barrette, “Local firm designs broader mission,” Lincoln Journal Star (February 14, 1995).
4. Carl Stuart, “Davis/Fenton/Stange/Darling,” Arch@UNL #5 (Spring 1976), 4-5.
5. Viewpoint (Fall 1985) [Lincoln: Davis Fenton Stange Darling]
6. D | F | S | D: Davis Fenton Stange Darling. [Lincoln: D | F | S | D, ca. 1975]
7. D | F | S | D, Architects | Engineers. [Lincoln: D | F | S | D, ca. 1971]
8. Viewpoint (Winter 1985-86) [Lincoln: Davis Fenton Stange Darling].
9. Personal knowledge: David R. Murphy, Robert C. Ripley, Thomas Kaspar.
10. C. J. Schepers, “Root of architectural success is retired master draftsman,” Lincoln Journal-Star (April 12, 1992): 2J.
11. D. Murphy Photograph, "ca. 1974 Architectural Model," June 1974 Photo. Scan from 35mm Kodachrome transparency.
12. Steve Eveans, et al., New Architecture in Nebraska (American Society of Architects, Omaha, Nebraska: 1977).
Other Sources
Leslie Boellstorff, “Questions about Stange’s not-so-trivial life spark campaign,” Sunday Journal-Star (November 16, 1986): 2E.
Don Pieper, “Firm involved in design of many Lincoln buildings: 60 years for David Fenton Stange Darling,” Sunday Journal and Star (August 16, 1981): 3B.
Page Citation
D. Murphy, “Davis Fenton Stange Darling, Architects,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, January 1, 2024. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, April 19, 2024.
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