Brian Frels is a Principal and co-owner at Arium AE, one of the largest architecture and engineering design firms in the region. With over two decades of experience, he has developed a strong interest in understanding clients’ specific needs and has enjoyed leading project teams to implement innovative workflow methodologies in evolving workplaces. Brian has become an industry leader in a variety of sectors, including corporate workplace, mission-critical, program-driven industrial design, and spiritual spaces.
As a strategic hire for Arium in 2012, Brian led a comprehensive rebranding of the firm, spearheaded the implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM), established baseline performance metrics, and assisted in the development of transformational accounting systems. As a result, the firm has become the regional expert in the architectural and engineering design of SCIF spaces and the leading Maryland design firm for craft beverages. Within the last decade, under the leadership of Brian and his fellow partners, the firm has doubled in size, expanded to Northern Virginia, secured its most significant contracts to date, and has been honored with more than a dozen design awards.
Brian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture, a Master of Architecture, and an MBA from Texas Tech University. Brian was a 40 under 40 honoree in a local business journal in 2018. He has led numerous award-winning design teams and has been invited to speak at events across the U.S. and internationally. In 2023, he received the Eagle Scout Executive of the Year award and continues to volunteer his time to Scouting.
Can you provide an introduction to Arium AE, including the services provided?
Arium AE (Arium) is a mid-sized architectural and engineering design firm headquartered in Columbia, Maryland. Founded in 1988, we have steadily grown into a regional and now national design firm. We serve a broad range of sectors, emphasizing functional and elegant design. Our studio brings together experts in architecture, MEP engineering, interior design, and planning professionals to provide clients with seamless collaboration, enhanced efficiency, and tailored designs. At Arium, our clients value the experience and approach of our design staff in addressing complex building challenges. Our team fosters collaborative client relationships and exceeds expectations by creating thoughtful, innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of each project.
Which sectors is Arium AE focused on?
Arium’s broad portfolio of work encompasses a diverse range of projects for repeat clients who rely on us for all their recurring design needs. This diversity enables us to maintain stability during market fluctuations, while also providing a rich and dynamic work environment that our employees appreciate. We have decades of experience in a range of sectors, including government and mission-critical facilities, corporate offices, biotech and healthcare facilities, institutional and educational buildings, industrial warehouse spaces, retail and restaurant establishments, as well as religious and mixed-use facilities.
Who are some sample clients?
Arium’s defense contractors for SCIF and tenant buildouts include Lockheed Martin, the FDA, FBI, NAVFAC, Fort Detrick, Leidos, Peraton, GSA, the Department of Homeland Security, Northrop Grumman, the US Army Corps of Engineers, undisclosed Global Technology Companies, and many other confidential clients.
What are your primary responsibilities at Arium AE?
As a Principal Architect with over 20 years of experience, I manage a diverse portfolio of projects each year, focusing on delivering program-driven initiatives while also making a strong commitment to my community and personal growth. I lead a team of over 35 professional engineers and architects, and my goal is to foster superior client service and collaborative design across all our projects firmwide.
Alongside my partners, Scott Walthour and Stephanie Bounds Nunn, we work together to guide the firm’s direction, strategies, and growth. Building and maintaining a strong, motivated team is my primary responsibility. I strive to lead by example, offer mentorship, and create opportunities for professional growth and development.
Through our collective leadership, commitment to excellence, and passion for innovation, we strive to continue shaping the future of design services in the built environment.
You joined Arium AE in 2012. What are some of the milestones over the last 13 years?
Since joining Arium in 2012, I have been a part of several key milestones that have shaped my career and the firm’s trajectory. One of my first pivotal initiatives was the rebranding of Arium, which significantly increased the firm’s visibility and market presence, ultimately driving substantial growth in the years to come.
Shortly after, in 2013, I played a key role in securing Arium’s first 5-Year MSA Contract with Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Later that year, Arium secured our first Maryland Brewery Client, which was awarded NAIOP Maryland’s Best Tenant Flex Building. Following this success, Arium rapidly became the state’s expert in brewery design and has since completed over 30 breweries and distilleries.
A major milestone in 2017 was when my fellow Principals, Stephanie and Scott, and I officially became the firm’s owners. This shift marked a new beginning for Arium. Since then, we’ve seen an average annual growth rate of 11-12%. This sustained growth has helped us secure the #3 spot on the Baltimore Business Journal’s Largest Interior Design Firms in Greater Baltimore List—a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication.
In 2021, Arium was selected by a global technology company as the secure space design expert and undertook its largest Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) project(s) to date. As a design partner, Arium raised the company’s standard of design for SCIF space and developed best-in-class global corporate standards. This experience positioned Arium as the leading competitor in designing spaces equipped for mission-critical SCIF space.
In 2022, Arium earned recognition with two prestigious NAIOP Maryland Awards of Excellence. We were awarded the Best Interior Design for Tenable Headquarters, a 150,000 sq. ft. high-tech office space, as well as Best Renovation for our work on Fireline Corporation’s Industrial Campus in Baltimore. Most recently, in 2023, Arium was awarded the design for a Hindu Temple (location undisclosed), which will feature North America’s largest deity statue, standing 36 feet tall. This exciting project pushes the boundaries of architectural design and cultural representation.
Reflecting on these milestones, I am proud of how far this team has come and look forward to seeing what the future holds. The growth, recognition, and incredible projects we continue to take on attest to the strength of our team here at Arium. I often draw on this confidence when pitching our services. There is great comfort in knowing that once clients experience the level of service we provide, Arium becomes a trusted partner for life. Believing in what you do and the value your team creates is priceless.
Can you highlight some of the recent projects that you have worked on?
Hindu Temple
I am thrilled to be delivering such a unique project; this impressive Hindu Temple is currently under design. Arium is dedicated to fostering collaboration among dozens of stakeholders, including temple owners/devotees, design teams, builders, artisans, craftsmen, and various regional authorities. With literally tons of ornamentation, dozens of shrines, and a 36ft deity statue, which will be the tallest in North America, Arium’s team will be key in fostering an environment of creativity to bring this sacred vision to life.
The City of Laurel Multiservice Center
Arium partnered with the City of Laurel and KCI Technologies to transform a 42,000-square-foot outdated racquetball and fitness center into a multi-service civic facility. A true testament to sustainability, this adaptive use project provided the community with a recreational space and a welcome respite for the unhoused population. The center now serves as a dynamic community resource, offering essential daily support and job assistance, laundry facilities, a clothing store, healthcare services, a full-service kitchen, and an emergency homeless shelter. This project reflects Arium’s expertise in the existing built environment and its ability to deliver sustainable, community-focused design.
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Arium recently secured a multi-year Architect/Engineer Master Service Agreement with Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Arium is honored to be chosen as a trusted design partner, delivering mission-critical facility improvements in the science, technology, and secure space sectors. We understand the complex nature of delivering design solutions to an institutional client with dozens of key stakeholders in a way that aligns with overarching mission and goals.
Global Technology Company – Confidential, Government and Mission Control
For a leading global technology company, Arium served as the secure space expert and provided full-service design for multiple mission-critical secure spaces. At the client’s request, Arium developed multiple Class A secure spaces that can attract highly sought-after employees in a competitive market. With a combination of contemporary designs and practical solutions, we have created inspiring and dynamic spaces that ensures security while promoting productivity and well-being. Arium worked closely with the client’s corporate branding teams and incorporated branding elements and artwork throughout the spaces. Branded elements were thoughtfully placed to reinforce corporate identity, history, and culture, creating an immersive brand experience within the tenant’s secure workspaces.
High-Tech Electronics Manufacturing Facility
Arium received the NAIOP Award of Excellence for Best Industrial Flex. This facility balances the design aesthetics with the practical needs of a high-tech electronics manufacturing and research facility. Arium executed the complete project, from exterior shell to interior fit-out design, incorporating sophisticated manufacturing equipment and process engineering. The MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) design for the facility was carefully crafted to meet the client’s specific requirements, with a primary focus on creating lab-grade manufacturing areas. Our integrated architecture and engineering design approach strikes a balance between functional and efficient solutions and high aesthetics.
Scouting America Scout Shop
Arium is providing the design for the Baltimore Area Council Scouting America’s new Scout Shop, the Schapiro Scout Service Center. The project will create a full-service hub for the scouting community. This project holds personal significance because, as an Eagle Scout (class of 1996) and a parent of two kids in scouting, I’ve been looking for ways to give back to the scouting community. In 2023, I was awarded the Eagle Scout Executive of the Year award. I now serve on the Capital Projects Review Committee, and I’m always looking for ways to give back to Scouting.
What is the Arium Process?
The Arium Process is a systematic, step-by-step approach to design and technical problem-solving that, over decades, has been proven to keep costs down while maintaining high quality. We specialize in helping clients achieve their project goals and seamlessly navigate a dynamic regulatory environment. Clients appreciate our ability to ensure projects stay within budget and on schedule. The core of our process is a commitment to design excellence—where we approach each project with an eye for detail and push the boundaries in crafting purposeful and aesthetically pleasing designs. Whether it’s maximizing space efficiency or blending creativity and functionality, our process ensures that every design choice aligns with and enhances the client’s vision.
We know that good communication is crucial for success, so we’ve established standards for sharing information that keeps things consistent and easy to understand. Our team can regularly provide updates, plans, and schedules. As we work with some of the most demanding clients in both the public and private sectors, we can tailor our approach to meet each client’s specific needs. After years of working with repeat clients, we’ve developed systems that enable quick and accurate access to records and documents.
Our design and construction document processes are designed to make things simple and predictable, which helps keep project costs in check and reduces expensive design changes. We focus on clear communication among everyone involved. Over 80% of our work is with returning clients. We’ve become their go-to team for all their ongoing design needs.
What are the growth plans of Arium AE?
As part of the company’s expansion into Northern Virginia, Arium opened a new office in Tysons, Virginia. We are actively serving our existing NoVA clients and expanding our services to new long-term clients.
Most recently, in 2025, we partnered with Dymond, a boutique design firm in Baltimore City. Dymond maintains strong ties to Baltimore and the local community, with a deep commitment to cultural impact activities, community engagement, and active involvement in Baltimore City. Clients in the Greater Baltimore area appreciate the firm’s ability to understand their needs and its commitment to exceptional design. With Dymond, Arium aims to enhance its design capabilities and strengthen its presence in the Baltimore City market.
