SWBR Architects has steadily grown since its founding in 1969 as Jenkins-Wurzer-Starks. Over this 40-year period, SWBR has established a reputation as one of the area's leading design firms. Many of the community's most recognizable structures, as well as literally hundreds of additions and renovations to area buildings have been designed by SWBR. For this work, the firm has garnered more than 60 industry awards and three LEED-certified projects.
The firm has added in-house structural engineering, interior design and landscape architecture as complimentary specialties in support of their core work. SWBR has also established an office in Syracuse to better serve its expanding clientele.
"As far as size we're considered mid-size, employing 75 people. Regarding our position in and around Rochester, we are currently the largest architectural firm," said David Beinetti, AIA, LEED AP, president of SWBR. "When I started with the firm 30 years ago we had less than 25 staff."
Over the years, the firm's business has evolved to include a broad spectrum of specialties, to meet client needs. These prime areas of expertise include: college and university, health, science and technology, K-12 schools, senior and active adult housing, and corporate, municipal and industrial. To stay on pace with constant industry improvements, continuing education is a critical component in the development of the expertise of SWBR's principals and staff.
In its 40th year of continual service, SWBR maintains a process of reviewing the marketplace and adapting their practice by maintaining a corporate focus on what matters most to their clients-consistent quality of services and innovation.
"We work in discreet markets within a general geographic area. Though today's economic pressures are pushing us to extend beyond our own backyard, we remain a local firm within the western and central regions of NYS. We have not aspired to work far away from home and we have not considered working abroad. Many firms have made that choice, but our success is based in maintaining close relationships with and high access to our clients. As a result, 90% of our clients are within three hours of our Rochester and Syracuse offices. We believe that it is imperative that we respond quickly to our clients' expectations. Our goal is quality design delivered with a high level of service," said Beinetti.
Sustainable and green building design are keys to SWBR's future. The challenge is here today. SWBR has evolved through its education and advocacy for sustainable practices. Responding to their clients' demand and personal corporate philosophy, SWBR recognizes the value that sustainable design provides to clients, the community, the economy and the environment. SWBR is committed to the design of environmentally responsible, economical and healthy places for people to live and work. The firm recognizes the significance of this commitment and promotes strategies that will preserve and enhance the environment for generations to come.
"We are proud that we have silver and gold certified buildings in the Rochester area and have registered several additional projects, pending final certification, with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The College of Applied Science and Technology Building (CAST) on the campus of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) achieved the Gold Certification in 2008 and B. Thomas Golisano Library on the campus of Roberts Wesleyan College achieved Silver in 2007. Both buildings reflect the leadership commitment of higher education to build what their communities expect," said Jay Judson, AIA, SWBR principal.
Two of SWBR's recent projects, the RIT CAST Building and the Monroe Community College Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Nursing School, were acclaimed as two of the "Best Green Projects in the Northeast Region" by the Real Estate & Construction Review. Theses projects will be publicized as Green Building of America Award-winning projects.
"While we believe that the LEED process is the best way to understand and qualify the design and performance of a sustainably designed building, we also understand that the process is voluntary and many clients may choose not to pursue formal certification through the USGBC. Most of our projects are designed to meet sustainable design criteria without a formal process and our client and project teams are delivering buildings that are better, greener, and higher performing as a result of this commitment," said Mark Maddalina, sustainability coordinator for SWBR.
SWBR must maintain its prominence in the A/E industry by staying within the technology curve. The firm has met this challenge through investing in the best people and the best systems. The process of building design and construction implementation has become ever more complex, demanding greater speed and larger team collaboration. One innovation within the design community that has emerged in recent years is Building Information Modeling (BIM). This 3-D design and production software tool benefits the client and design team from the early stages of the project design throughout the completion of construction. SWBR has invested in BIM systems and has become one of the leaders in upstate New York.
"Some of the major benefits of BIM can be seen within an integrated design approach. Items such as day lighting and energy analysis, high quality 3-D rendering and quantity takeoffs become an integral part of the construction documentation rather than a separate study for each. During design reviews, attendees are coalescing around a projection screen with a live 3D model instead of hovering around a table with a roll of documents. Changes can be seen in real time with immediate results for area and quantity takeoffs for "what if" situations. Team members are able to visualize the spaces and understand the programming more holistically," said Greg Hale, BIM coordinator for SWBR.
Today, SWBR is working on noteworthy projects such as the University of Rochester Pediatric Replacement and Imaging Sciences Modernization (PRISM), St. John's Home Brickstone Active Adult Community, Nazareth College Science Building, Hannibal and Windsor Central School Districts, the Wayne County Municipal Building, Summit Federal Credit Union projects, the ABVI Goodwill Centennial Campus and several projects for DePaul.
The firm's founding partners were Allen Jenkins, Myron Starks and Thomas Wurzer. According to Beinetti, "taking care of client needs through outstanding professional service was the foundation of this firm and it remains so today." Under a set of six firm principals, including Beinetti, growth has flourished through the efforts of all six, each directly responsible for every project under the firm's roof. Tom Gears, Jay Judson, Bud Knapp, Phil Wise and Steve Rebholz round out the group of SWBR's principals and board of directors. The firm leadership includes 14 associates and senior associates as well who have direct involvement in many key aspects of the firm and its success. Tags: