Our History
Sam Darby and Larry Larson receiving McGraw Hill’s “Plant of the Year” award in 1968. Shown at right are Bengt Sjostrom of Sjostrom Construction, and Gene Swanson, treasurer of Sundstrand Corporation.
Sixty years ago, Larry Larson began practicing architecture under the name of Larry U. Larson, Architect. A year later, in 1964, Sam Darby joined forces with Larry and, together, they built what would become Rockford, Illinois’ largest architecture, engineering, and interior design firm – Larson & Darby Group. Our first major commission was a $15 million research, manufacturing, and development center for Sundstrand Corporation in Rockford, Illinois, the largest project of its kind in Winnebago County. Completed in 1968, Sundstrand Plant 6 was awarded Plant of the Year for factory building design by McGraw Hill publishing company. That project was just the start of a legacy of excellence and innovation we carry on today.
1963
Sundstrand
Rockford, Illinois
1976
Metro Center
Rockford, Illinois
1985
Greater Rockford Airport
Rockford, Illinois
Larson & Darby Group has helped shape the way our city – Rockford, Illinois – lives, works, learns, and plays by designing buildings that stand the test of time. You would be hard-pressed to drive around the greater Rockford region and not pass by a Larson & Darby Group-designed structure. And, while our roots run deep in Rockford, our footprint has expanded with work completed throughout the region, the country, and around the world.
Our legacy is greater than the buildings we’ve designed; it’s about the partnerships we’ve built and the many staff whose passion and commitment has contributed to making Larson & Darby Group what it is today. As we celebrate our 60th year, we are excited to honor this legacy and are inspired to continue living our mission to build trusted partnerships, through a journey of discovery and inquiry, in the creation of exceptional environments.
2003
University of Illinois Thomas M. Siebel Center
Urbana, Illinois
2007
Winnebago County Justice Center
Rockford, Illinois
2018
Central High School
Burlington, Illinois
Fast Facts
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Timeline
The sole proprietorship of Larry U. Larson, Architect, is formed. In July of this year, Larry Larson began practicing architecture in Rockford, Illinois under the firm named Larry U. Larson, Architect. Fourteen months later, Larry joined forces with his brother-in-law Samuel N. Darby, and in September of 1964 the firm of Larson & Darby was established.
Sundstrand Corporation, New Office & Manufacturing Plant, Rockford, IL
First project for Rockford Public Schools District #205, Carlson Elementary School
Structural, mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines were added because there was a significant need for these services within the current client base. Thus L&D became the only full-service architectural and engineering firm in northern Illinois.
Woodward Governor, Loveland, CO, New Office & Manufacturing Plant
MetroCentre receives AIA/NI Award for Excellence in Architecture
American National Bank, New Headquarters Building, Rockford, IL, receives a Silver Award, the highest honor, from the Institute of Business Designers and Interior Design magazine.
LEFT: Riverfront Museum Park receives AIA/NI Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture and ICARA Design Award of Merit
RIGHT: Sundstrand Corporate Office Building receives AIA/NI Award for Excellence in Architecture
Larry U. Larson retires
LEFT: Rockford Industrial Welding Supply receives AIA Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture
RIGHT: DeKalb County Farm Bureau receives AIA/NI Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture, ICARA Design Award of Excellence, and Illinois/Indiana Masonry Council Gold Medal
LEFT: Williams & Elliott Associates, Ltd., is acquired by Larson & Darby, Inc. Williams & Elliot Associates, Ltd. served the education and religious market sectors.
RIGHT: Rockford Orthopedic Clinic receives ICARA Honorable Mention Award.
Duo-Fast Corporate Headquarters receives AIA/NI Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture and ICARA Design Award of Honor
Samuel N. Darby, FAIA, retires and firm leadership transitions to D. Kraig Pierceson, Douglas Brooks, Christopher Groesbeck, Richard McClelland, Dan Roszkowski, John Saunders, and William Waldorf LZT Associates, Inc. located in Peoria, Illinois, and its sister company – LZT/Filliung Partnership, located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois acquired. To reflect this acquisition, the firm name changes from Larson & Darby, Inc. to Larson & Darby Group.
University of Illinois Thomas M. Siebel Center for Computer Science receives an AIA Pittsburgh Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture
LEFT: Winnebago County Justice Center receives AIA/NI Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture.
RIGHT: Rockford Register Star Press Addition receives AIA/NI Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture
Larson & Darby Group honored as “Firm of the Year” by the AIA/Northern Illinois Chapter
LEFT: Rock River Water Reclamation District receives AIA Design Award of Excellence – Best in Show, AIA/NI Honor Award for Green Design, and ALA Merit Award
RIGHT: Danfoss Drives receives AIA/NI Honor Award for Outstanding Design, AIA/NI Honorable Mention Award for Excellence in Architecture, and ALA Gold Medal Design Award
Firm leadership transitions to William J. Waldorf, CEO; Dan J. Roszkowski, President; Douglas J. Brooks, Vice President; Richard S. McClelland, Vice President; and John T. Saunders, Vice President.
LEFT: Woodward Systems Test Facility receives AIA Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture
RIGHT: Field Fastener receives AIA/NI Honor Award for Excellence in Interior Design
Larson & Darby Group named “Small Business of the Year” by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.
Central High School Addition & Renovation receives AIA Prairie Chapter Award of Excellence in Interior Design, ALA Award of Merit, and IASB Award of Merit
LEFT: Rockford Indoor City Market receives Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Adaptive Reuse
RIGHT: Firm leadership transitions to Dan J. Roszkowski – Chairman of the Board, Stephen M. Nelson – CEO, Sherry L. Gaumond – COO, and Christopher W. Anderson – President.
Larson & Darby Group celebrates its 60th anniversary.