Community profile: Terry Wright | News

Terry Wright has spent much of his career designing structures across North Texas. Wright founded The Wright Group, which is made up of licensed architects, interior designers, graduate interns, and architectural draftsmen, according to the company’s website. But he and his wife are also tackling a more personal project – they bought the Rainbow Grill in downtown Carrollton and their daughter, who has autism, works there. Wright is also a member of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club, which operates a student veterans center at Dallas College in Farmers Branch.

Where did you grow up and go to school?

I grew up on a farm about 60 miles west of Oklahoma City. I attended the Oklahoma State University School of Architecture.

Tell us about your family.

My wife and I have been part of the Carrollton family for 28 years. We raised our three children, now young adults. J. Collin was a senior graduate of the MESA program at Turner High School and now has his own business, a parts store in Marietta, Oklahoma called JC Auto Parts. Kristin graduated from Creekview High School and UT Dallas and has her own business, Lone Star Darkroom, where she develops movies, teaches classes, etc. Our youngest child has autism, my wife dropped out of school to go to the Rainbow Fountain and Grill downtown from Carrollton where she can work with Emilie to learn how to work, where she helps with the washing up.

How did you get interested in architecture?

I grew up on the farm and in construction and always see architecture as three-dimensional art to interact with. Noticing the buildings of the past seems to have been in the detail memory and sparked an interest and viewing of the building as one went to the OKC and explored why they did what they did and how people interacted with the buildings.

What were some of your favorite North Texas projects that you designed?

It was an honor to work with the veterans to design the War Memorial. To work in several churches in our congregation and to get to know them. We also worked on 29 acres, this is a vibrant community for people with autism.

Is there a particular style that you prefer when designing a project?

We made different styles and each style has its place; we want to reflect the users of the space in the architecture.

Tell us about your decision to buy the Rainbow Grill and what are your plans?

It’s part of Carrollton’s history that needs to be respected. My wife runs the restaurant to work with our autistic daughter. The restaurant was out of date and the city no longer wanted to run it the way it was. We renovated the building to reflect the architectural style of the late 20s to early 30s. We have renovated the interiors with the fountain for the early 50s, clad the existing cabins in rainbow colors, laid new floors, etc. The exterior has also been renovated with a vertical Art Deco leaf sign with neon letters in the letters.

How long have you been a Rotary member?

This is my first year.

What are some of your memorable projects with Rotary?

Worked at the Veterans Center at Dallas Community College in Brookhaven.

What is the Students Veteran Center and why is it important?

This is a place for veterans to meet, have a group to connect with, get the help they need, have a place where they can just relax and be themselves.

Do you have hobbies when you are not working or doing volunteer work?

On Saturdays I work in the restaurant with my wife and daughter and on Sundays after church I go to the farm for my psychotherapy session.

Favorite sports team?

College is Oklahoma State. I enjoy soccer games and watch wrestling when I can.

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