DBR provides an alternative to traditional firms by providing better opportunities for our people and as a result, a better experience for our clients.
Founded in 1972, DBR Engineering Consultants, Inc. has evolved into the premier MEP engineering firm in Texas, providing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services, as well as building commissioning, integrated technology, and security system consulting.
DBR’s steady growth has been fueled by loyal clients who appreciate our willingness to listen, openminded approach to problem-solving, and relentless commitment to service.
Now, more than 50 years later, DBR has a team of over 200 professionals in seven cities across the State of Texas. While our history guides our growth, our talented team of consultants are focused on the future. We are helping to create healthy and comfortable environments that will stand the test of time.
HOUSTON
DALLAS
AUSTIN
EL PASO
SAN ANTONIO
MCALLEN
LAREDO
+ K-12 EDUCATION
We strive to achieve the greatest energy efficiency possible while delivering systems that meet your district’s standards for maintenance and operation so more of your operating budget can go toward education and less towards utilities. Since the early 1980s, DBR has been working with public school districts in Texas.
Today, our primary focus is educational facilities and we understand the many challenges that face public school districts, including the importance for controlling project budgets and delivering projects on schedule. DBR has the experience to deliver exceptional MEP engineering solutions that best fit your needs.
+ PROJECT TYPES + FACILITIES THAT WORK
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
CAREER-FOCUSED
SPORTS FACILITY
ADMINISTRATIVE
For most, a building works when it’s “behind the scenes” systems do their job quietly in the background without objectionable noise and making occupants uncomfortable. Buildings used for educating our young people need to do better. Educational facilities need to be safe, secure, comfortable, flexible, and maintainable for the long haul. This is what we do.
The growth of STEM and magnet schools with a focus on careers indicate school administrators are tuned into workforce needs and are helping students find the best paths to their futures. In these facilities, the building can even be a teaching tool.
At DBR, we are proud to be a part of improving the learning environment across the State of Texas and Making Life Better.
+ BUILDING COMMISSIONING
DBR launched our Commissioning Division in 2005 by commissioning the first public school in Texas to be LEED Certified. Since then, millions of dollars have been saved by building owners who have experienced shorter startup, schedule adherence, fewer hidden problems, and peak building performance from day one.
HVAC SYSTEMS
Chilled/Hot Water Plants
Air Handling Units
Energy Recovery
Ventilation Systems
Building Automation
Hydronic Pumping
Every building is a unique structure with a unique set of requirements for the owner and users. We understand this dynamic of the built environment, take it into account with each project, and provide tailored commissioning plans that cover the spectrum of all building systems requirements.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Lighting Control Systems
Communication
Daylight Harvesting
Stand-by Power
Fire Alarm
PLUMBING SYSTEMS
Hot Water Systems
Water Pumping
Piping Systems
THIS AIN’T OUR FIRST RODEO, Y’ALL.
Educational facilities are a class of engineering design all their own, and they offer challenges that we love to take on. Please take a look at our partial K-12 Education experience:
GRAND OAKS HIGH SCHOOL
CONROE ISD | PBK ARCHITECTS
DBR worked with PBK Architects on Conroe ISD’s sixth high school, Grand Oaks High School, located in Montgomery County. The 530,000 SF campus has the capacity for 3,000 students and consists of a three-story classroom wing, auditorium, band/orchestra/choir halls, library, cafeteria, kitchen, CTE labs, three gymnasiums, athletic facilities, and locker rooms. The HVAC system has an energy-efficient central chiller and boiler plants. Campus lighting utilizes LED fixtures with occupancy space sensors, as well as daylighting controls to conserve energy. Security & Technology Infrastructure includes structured cabling, access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, network electronics, IP phone system, classroom integrated A/V systems, distributed antenna system for emergency, and first responder radio system.
530,000 SF
CONROE, TEXAS
+ CUSTOM-FIT SOLUTIONS
DBR has provided engineering services to public school districts across the State of Texas. Every school district has specific needs, facility and maintenance criteria, and facility budgets. We understand the factors that impact construction and operating costs and will tailer the MEP systems to optimize performance for your students and faculty and maintainability for your personnel.
VALDES STEM + INNOVATION CENTER
Greenhill School | Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
HANKS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ysleta ISD | VLK Architects
BRAZOSWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
Brazosport ISD | VLK Architects
WEST MEMORIAL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Katy ISD | Stantec
HARLINGEN AQUATICS CENTER
Harlingen CISD | Gignac & Associates
DRIPPING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL ADDITION
Dripping Springs ISD | Corgan
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD | Jim & Pam Wells Elementary School | Cypress, Texas | Texas-IBI Group
ENERGY INSTITUTE HIGH SCHOOL
HOUSTON ISD | VLK ARCHITECTS
DBR and VLK Architects teamed up to design Houston ISD’s newest magnet school and the first “energy” school in the nation, paving the way for students to the energy industry. Located in Houston’s Third Ward, Energy Institute High School features a learning courtyard with a collaboration area and outdoor instructional spaces. The design supports a technology-rich campus, and all classrooms are flexible and equipped with smart, interactive monitors. DBR designed the HVAC system to utilize a Variable Refrigerant Flow System to air-condition the school with a Building Automation Controls System. Campus lighting uses occupancy sensors for a cost-effective solution that meets energy code requirements. This facility achieved LEED Silver and was awarded the 2019 Citation of Excellence by Learning by Design Magazine.
115,105 SF
LAKE CREEK HIGH SCHOOL
MONTGOMERY ISD | HUCKABEE
DBR is pleased to have worked with Huckabee on a new 350,000 SF, stateof-the-art campus to serve as Montgomery ISD’s second high school. Lake Creek High School is designed to serve 900 students in grades 9-11 with plans for expansion as enrollment increases. DBR provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection design, as well as construction administration services for the new complex. The campus is designed along a “main street corridor” that connects the media center/library and academic wing to public core components, including fine arts, athletics, and CTE programs. The two-story classroom wings are grouped in a flexible arrangement that supports multi-disciplinary programming, with one-story core areas including an auditorium, two practice gyms, and a competition gym.
HIGH SCHOOL
355,000 SF
MONTGOMERY, TEXAS
Houston ISD – Sam Houston High School | Houston, Texas | Stantec | LEED Silver
Fort Bend ISD – James Patterson Elementary School | Richmond, Texas | Huckabee | LEED Certified
LEGACY STADIUM & SUPPORT FACILITIES
KATY ISD | HKS ARCHITECTS & VLK ARCHITECTS
DBR teamed up with HKS Architects and VLK Architects to provide mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and integrated technology services for Katy ISD’s new Legacy Stadium. What the stadium lacks in size it makes up for in quality. The 12,000-seat facility includes a 1.5K SF Jumbotron, private rentable boxes, and provides Katy ISD a multipurpose second stadium that benefits 77,000+ students enrolled in the district.
12,000 SEATS
SPORTS FACILITY
KATY, TEXAS
STERLING AVIATION HIGH SCHOOL
HOUSTON ISD | STANTEC
DBR provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, integrated technology, and LEED consulting services for the new 252,000 SF Sterling Aviation High School. The campus replaced facilities that were built in 1965 and prepares students for success beyond high school through a unique program that couples classroom instruction and real-world automotive work experience. The educational spaces have a fluid form and function—walls move, visibility is high, and students choose their workspaces. The aviation program offers flight simulators, mechanical and airframe studies, and maintenance education. It also boasts the country’s first hangar owned by a school district. Visible to the community, the school has a nurturing and inspirational environment that champions education as a vehicle for success.
DBR provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and integrated technology services for this 573,468 SF high school in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. The new facility was uniquely designed with a two-story wing that includes the auditorium, dressing rooms, and indoor athletics area, as well as a fourstory academic wing that includes classrooms and collaboration spaces. Several of the classrooms are structured to change from a smaller single classroom to open up into larger joint classrooms for a unique style of learning and collaboration. Bridgeland High School is the tallest CypressFairbanks ISD academic building and our design included a central utility plant building. This project is registered as a TX-CHPS designed school.
HIGH SCHOOL
573,468 SF
CYPRESS, TEXAS
BRAZOSWOOD HIGH SCHOOL CTE CENTER
BRAZOSPORT ISD | VLK ARCHITECTS
DBR worked with VLK Architects on the newly constructed Brazoswood High School Career & Technical Education (CTE) Center in Clute, Texas. The 91,000 SF facility includes classrooms, laboratories, and program spaces for culinary arts, welding, manufacturing, veterinary technology, floral design, health sciences, information technology, and general STEM education. The building also features a business lab, a cosmetology lab, and a broadcasting studio. DBR provided MEP Engineering, Security, Technology, A/V Consulting, and Building Commissioning services for the new CTE Center. DBR has recently performed engineering services for a new 51,000 SF multi-sport Fieldhouse and additions and renovations to the existing 300,000 SF high school, all located on the same site.
CAREER-FOCUSED
91,000 SF
CLUTE, TEXAS
John Cooper School – Rock Math & Science Center | The Woodlands, Texas | Ziegler Cooper Architects
El Paso ISD – Dr. Joseph Torres Elementary School | El Paso, Texas | ERO International
WALNUT SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD | CORGAN ASSOCIATES
DBR is working with Corgan on the design replacement of Walnut Springs Elementary School. The HVAC design consists of an energy-efficient geothermal heat pump system coupled with dedicated outside air units (DOAS). Bi-polar ionization is used to purify the indoor air, providing a healthy environment. The design intends to meet the client’s desire for a low Energy Use Intensity (EUI) building that is simple to maintain and fit within the proposed project budget. Our team also designed and specified the communication cabling systems, classroom A/V systems, video surveillance, and access control systems. The new school strikes a balance between a light-hearted setting and a high-performance educational environment and will include a courtyard, library, gym, and cafeteria.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
110,000 SF
DRIPPING SPRINGS, TEXAS
Houston ISD – Milby High School | Houston, Texas | Kirksey Architecture | 2019 Caudill Award Winner | LEED Silver
