16 years and counting!
Published Oct 15, 2025
Sixteen years ago today, David Reed filed incorporation papers for his first solo architecture firm. The Oklahoma Secretary of State approved this on Nov. 19, 2009, officially launching Tulsa-based David Reed Architecture. Fresh from his triumph as project manager of Boone Pickens Stadium’s last construction phase, David assembled a four-person architectural, interior design, and construction administration team under a heartfelt mission: to serve clients, fellow team members, and their communities through their designs. Tulsa Public Schools soon hired David’s firm to develop iconic arenas for Booker T. Washington, Edison Preparatory, and Memorial high schools. Several athletic, educational, civic, and commercial projects followed, many involving health care elements.
.
Renowned architect Gary Sparks joined the firm in 2011, spurring a name change to Sparks Reed Architecture & Interiors. Over the next nine years our team grew into a full-service design firm with numerous educational, athletic, religious, civic, office, and other commercial projects under its belt. No project proved too small or large; our triumphs ranged from hallways to stadiums, from neighborhood coffee shops and dental offices to global branding strategies.
.
With Gary’s 2020 retirement, our firm took the name Reed Architecture & Interiors. As COVID shook the world, we bought and renovated a historic downtown Sapulpa building for our headquarters. David did much of this work with his own two hands and help from his two kids. Over the next five years, RAI grew from eight to 18 team members: 10 architects, four interior designers, and four support staff. Together they offer 200+ years of combined experience. Our secure tech system allows two of our team members to use our sophisticated CAD and BIM systems from offices in Texas and Utah, strengthening our firm’s ability to stay atop changing technologies, styles, and practices while keeping out talented team connected.
.
Educational, church, and athletic designs comprise 70+ percent of our 100+ completed projects, reflecting RAI’s specialization in works benefitting the mind, body, and soul. That draws from Reed’s “serve by design” business strategy. Our diverse portfolio also reflects six wonderful years working in partnership with Tulsa-based Master’s Plan Church Design & Construction. Our firm serves two important civic roles in our hometown:
▪︎ Project manager for the city’s downtown master plan.
▪︎ Project architect for Sapulpa Public Schools’ 2023 bond package, which involves the design and construction of a new high school and other facilities.
.
Reed Architecture has won numerous state and area awards for its designs, community leadership, and volunteer work. David himself served as president of the American Institute of Architects Eastern Oklahoma chapter and the state of Oklahoma chapter, along with several local, state, and national AIA committees. His team provides extensive resources to Sapulpa Public Schools, the Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce, Sapulpa Main Street, the City of Sapulpa, the Salvation Army Tulsa Area Command, the Sapulpa Historical Society and Museum, Youth Services of Creek County, and other area organizations. With David and many of his team members hailing from OSU, RAI remains a firm supporter of the university and its many activities.
.
“There are so many people to thank for this,” said Reed. “I am so grateful for the many clients who trusted us with their cherished projects. A great number came back again and again with their dreams and goals, which is so uplifting and humbling. I give thanks to and for our many teammates and partners who helped us accomplish this. They play a huge role in our continued success! Most of all I thank my wife and my God. Both blessed me with patience and grace to see this through. We would not be celebrating this otherwise!”