Founded by Shirley Ghannam

While earning her professional degrees, Shirley gained experience with multiple local architectural firms, developing a clear understanding of both the strengths and shortcomings of traditional practice. Working in a profession where women were significantly underrepresented, Shirley experienced inequitable business structures and client and workplace dynamics that could limit both innovation and trust.

Determined to redefine what a professional architectural / design firm could be, Shirley set out to create a firm built on transparency, disciplined execution, and respectful collaboration. Her vision was simple but ambitious: to eliminate opaque business practices and foster relationships rooted in honesty and mutual accountability.

In 1992, at a time when fewer than 13 percent of registered architects in the United States were women, Shirley founded Arconcepts while working as an architect and construction manager. Leveraging long-standing professional relationships, she secured Ford Motor Company / Ford Motor Land Development as a major client, earning Tier-One Supplier status and establishing a strong foundation for the firm’s growth.

Today, Arconcepts continues to reflect its founder’s original mission—delivering thoughtful, practical design solutions while cultivating enduring partnerships built on trust, accountability, and clarity of purpose.