In projects ranging from renovation and restoration to new construction, our clients value our enthusiasm, superior service, technical knowledge, design ability, and our capacity to take on projects of varying size.
We believe the growth of our reputation is a direct consequence of our concern for providing conscientious service to our clients.
Committed to design that strengthens communities, BWA is a proud member of the Community Design Collaborative’s Volunteer Hall of Fame.
Significant among the firm’s strengths are the following:
We excel at working in a group decision-making environment. Even our broadly publicized “hallmark” projects involved the active participation of owners and endusers. We believe that good design comes from a team process. Working to become part of your team, understanding and supporting your organization’s protocols, approval processes, and communication styles–is an essential part of our design method. As a starting point, we embrace the opportunity of working with many people and a variety of perspectives to create an effective design process. And we know that a process that is tailored to your needs will lead to an outstanding design solution.
Service means more than getting the drawings done. It means being attentive to your needs as a client, as you define them. We are fully accountable to you for all aspects of the design, documentation, and construction administration process. All projects benefit from an extraordinary degree of principal involvement, with a principal as full participant every step of the way. We are available to the contractor to quickly respond to questions and submittals, to expedite approvals and to review construction. Our firm emphasizes quality control in the production of the construction documents and in overseeing work in the field. We believe that this high level of service is essential for a successful project and a satisfied client.
Our architects have extensive experience with the nuts and bolts of construction, which gives us a great advantage as designers. Principals Richard Winston and Morris Zimmerman have more than 60 years combined experience as architects and builders. First-hand construction knowledge helps us to make informed judgments about which materials and construction methods are suitable or cost-effective, and which are not. Furthermore, our ability to “speak the same language” makes us extremely effective in working with contractors in the field. We view your budget not as a constraint, but as a tool which must be used along with others in the process of creating excellent designs. We have great facility with a broad range of construction and preservation techniques, and can confidently develop an appropriate, economical approach to your project.
Reducing harmful impact to the environment by designing responsibly has been part of our mission since our inception. Initially we engage clients in a discussion about the benefits of “green design” and work to establish priorities that fit their specific project goals. Experience has taught us that the strategies with the most immediate appeal have positive environmental impact and save the client money, usually in operating costs. Whether you are seeking full LEED certification for your project or simply trying to reduce energy consumption, we can help you explore the options.
BWA excels at working with older structures on projects that may range from preservation to adaptive reuse. The challenge in most projects is the process of upgrading and modifying to meet new program requirements, to address life-safety codes and accessibility for the disabled, to accommodate general change and growth and to counteract the effects of aging and deterioration. We understand the ways in which older buildings are fragile and inflexible, and the ways in which they are adaptable and changeable. In any given year, more than half of our not-for-profit and institutional projects involves renovating, preserving, or altering older and historic structures.