With the retirement of Douglas K. Janzen, a longtime partner of a 33-year-old Fresno architecture firm, Dyson Janzen Architects, Inc. has reformed with two new partners. Photo by Daniel McCullough on unsplash.com

There’s been a shift in leadership with one of the Valley’s most high-profile architecture firms.

Arthur Dyson, founding partner of Fresno-based Dyson Janzen Architects, Inc., has announced the retirement of Douglas K. Janzen, a longtime partner of the 33-year-old firm.

 

With the transition, Dyson is also welcoming two new partners in the firm’s restructured entity, Dyson Architects, Inc. These new appointments mark an exciting chapter in the firm’s continued commitment to design excellence and community impact, according to a news release.

The newly appointed partners are Marvin Armstrong and Mayuko Russell.

Armstrong brings over 30 years of experience to the firm. A graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and a licensed architect since 1984, Armstrong has had a distinguished career with a diverse portfolio of projects, according to the release. His work includes educational facilities, health care complexes, commercial offices, Native American facilities and both public and private multifamily residential projects.

 

In addition to his architectural practice, Marvin has maintained his own firm, Marvin Armstrong Architect in Fresno, since 1987. He is an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and currently serves as the president of AIA San Joaquin.

Outside of architecture, Marvin is also a talented sculptor, actively involved with the Fig Tree Gallery and a founding member of Clay Hand Studios in Downtown Fresno.

Russell, who has been with Dyson Janzen Architects since 2012, has been named as a partner in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the firm and to the profession. Russell holds a Master of Architecture degree from the Southern California Institute of Architecture and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nottingham in the UK. 

 

Her work is grounded in a passion for sustainable, healthy communities, and she has been a strong advocate for design that fosters social well-being, according to the release. 

She has served on the boards of the U.S. Green Building Council Central California, the Eco Village Project of Fresno and the Shinzen Friendship Gardens. As a dedicated educator, she also teaches architecture at Fresno City College, where she shapes the next generation of architects, according to the release.

Dyson expressed enthusiasm for the future of the firm. 

“Douglas K. Janzen’s contributions to the firm and to the field of architecture have been immeasurable, and while we will miss his presence, we are excited for the new leadership that Marvin and Mayuko bring to Dyson Architects, Inc. Their expertise, passion for design, and deep ties to the community make them the perfect fit to carry the firm’s legacy forward,” Dyson said in a statement.