At an age when most kids are dreaming of becoming firemen or cowboys, Doug Gallow already knew he would become an architect. By his mid-twenties, he knew with equal conviction that there was something compelling about design for “aging” that would define his professional path. This revelation came while hanging out at the senior center where his wife, Ellen, sometimes put in evenings and weekends as an activities coordinator. As a newly licensed architect, Doug noticed things that most of us never tune in to, like connections between where people chose to sit and the sound environment, temperature, or even the location of the nearest restroom.

Doug spent two satisfying decades as a principal in a Baltimore, MD firm, building a diverse project resume in institutional and commercial design, with concentrated experience in office and educational environments, laboratories, and nearly forty senior, youth, and multi-generational community center projects. He continued to be intrigued by those projects that challenged him to respond to diverse or dynamic needs among the people who would make use of the new or renovated building. Doug has actively pursued opportunities to learn (and contribute) all he can about design for aging, through continuing education and active involvement in the aging-services professional and academic communities.

But it’s not all about architecture—Doug’s friends would tell you that he’s pretty much “all about” his wife, Ellen, “kids” Liz, Jenny and Dougie…and “all things Miami” (University—alma mater to Doug, Ellen, Jenny, and future alum-Dougie). He played club hockey in college, loves being described as a left-handed monster on the tennis court, and is an avid sports fan—especially college sports—especially Miami. Wondering how the RedHawks did last night? He can tell you.

The roots of Lifespan Design Studio can be traced back to a classroom at Miami University where Ellen Gallow’s interest in gerontology was inspired by some of the most respected instructors in the field during her sophomore year. After that, she enrolled in every related class she could find, graduated to an administrative position in a senior center, and returned to night school at Miami as a student in the masters’ level gerontology program. By this time Doug was hooked as well, and the dream of someday forging a professional partnership was born. Three kids and twenty years later, they both bring extensive resumes and priceless life experience to the venture.

Ellen served as a promotional consultant to a nationwide community of senior centers for the last decade, deepening her understanding of the complex challenges associated with serving a client base that often spans five or more decades. This appreciation for the diverse environmental needs of aging adults led to numerous collaborations with Doug over the years, and eventually to their decision to launch the company that they had envisioned two decades before. Ellen’s educational and professional backgrounds are tapped in a variety of ways to enhance Lifespan Design Studio’s people-centered approach to the study and practice of lifespan design.

Ask her what she does and Ellen will probably tell you she’s a writer. She was one of “those kids” who was relieved to find out a test was “essay” rather than “multiple choice,” and often required a second blue book to get through an exam. The daughter of an interior decorator, she’s also meticulous and detail-oriented, which may be why she and Doug get along so well. Mike once reflected “the two of you together add up to the pickiest person I’ve ever known.” But it’s family life that provides her greatest joys and satisfaction, and no coincidence that Lifespan Design Studio is situated within a couple hours of all three of Doug and Ellen’s grown kids.