Firm

David Milling Architects (DMA) provides planning, architectural, and interior design services. DMA's approach to design goes far beyond the consideration of function, longevity, maintenance, and operational efficiency. We work closely with Clients to create buildings that affect occupants and visitors positively—buildings that uplift people and add excitement to their activities.

With more than 70 years of combined experience, David Milling, AIA, and his partner, Dennis Anderson, AIA, provide a complementary combination of leadership styles, ensuring that proper attention is given to all aspects of our professional success. Attention to detail leads to Client satisfaction—one notable example being a university client who has entrusted Dennis Anderson with more than 50 building projects.

David Milling's experience is built on his leadership with architectural commissions in the public sector dating from the 1960s. Having served as a designer in several prominent East Coast firms, Mr. Milling relocated to Michigan in 1972 when he was appointed Chief Architect for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. In 1976, he joined David W. Osler, FAIA, to form Osler/Milling Architects, of which Mr. Milling was President through 1989. In 1990, he became Design Principal of Culbertson Jacobs & Milling Architects—a position he held until establishing his own firm in 1994.

Dennis Anderson joined the firm of Ralph Calder, Architect, in 1957 as Chief Draftsman, following several years in California architectural offices and in leading offices in Detroit. He became an Associate in 1962 and President of the firm in 1986. Mr. Anderson combines administrative leadership with the responsibility for ensuring that high standards are extended to all areas of construction documents. He has been responsible for the documentation and construction of over 150 major projects.

With over 30 years of design experience in the public sector, David Milling is intimately involved in every project in which the firm is engaged. Educated at Clemson and MIT, he earned a Masters degree in Urban Design and Planning from the latter in 1971. His dedication to design excellence has been recognized nationally. He served for three years on the American Library Association's national committee charged with developing design standards for academic and public libraries, and was a keynote speaker at the 1989 ALA convention in Dallas, Texas. He has served as a guest instructor at the University of Wisconsin's Extension Services program. In 1999, Mr. Milling and Anders Dahlgren co-sponsored a workshop on programming and design for the Public Library Association conference in Kansas City.

Mr. Milling’s many AIA design awards include those for the Kalamazoo Public Library’s Central Facility and the Oshtemo Branch Library. The AIA was also given for the Whittaker Road Branch of the Ypsilanti District Library, and a national AIA/ALA award was given for the Howell Carnegie District Library renovation and expansion (Osler/Milling Architects in association with Quinn Evans). Helen Milling, Director of DMA’s Interior Design Department, brings more than 30 years of experience in interior design and works closely with DMA’s architects in helping to ensure that our libraries seamlessly integrate architecture, interiors, technology, and art. DMA’s staff includes 3 LEED Accredited Professionals with relevant experience designing sustainable library projects, including the first LEED public library in Michigan, the Harper Woods Public Library (LEED Silver) and the Franklin Avenue Branch of the Des Moines Public Library (Architect-of-Record: Benjamin Design Collaborative).