Continued strength in the energy industry propelled design firms in Texas and Louisiana last year, but it wasn't the region's only revenue-growth catalyst. The top 75 design firms on ENR Texas & Louisiana's ranking reported combined regional revenue of $4.1 billion in 2013—up from $2.97 billion in 2012—an increase of roughly 38% and more than double the nearly 16% growth of the year before.
"Upstream [oil and gas] activities are slightly declining due to decreased drilling activity, while midstream, downstream and power sectors have increased as the industry seeks to build out infrastructure," says Keith Manning, executive vice president of Zachry Holdings Inc. Regional revenue for the company, the magazine's Design Firm of the Year, rose to $98.7 million in 2013, putting it at No. 10 on this year's list.