ARCHITECTURE AND
DESIGN FIRM DSA ARCHITECTS CHANGES NAME TO SHW GROUP
DETROIT, January 1, 2008 –
DSA Architects, one of the largest architecture and design firms in
Oakland County, has officially changed its name to SHW Group. SHW
Group is ranked as the third-largest educational facility design
firm in the nation by Engineering News Record, with more than
350 professionals on staff nationwide.
Nearly 70 of these architects and engineers are based in the firm’s
Michigan studio. The studio’s combination of architectural services
with mechanical, electrical and structural engineering services
serves as a model for SHW’s six other studios as the offices
continue to share resources and expertise. These comprehensive
services allow for a more collaborative design process as architects
and engineers communicate more readily on possible design changes
and new innovations.
Founded in 1998 by local entrepreneur and Michigan State University
graduate, Marjorie Simmons, DSA has grown from three to nearly 70
employees in nine years, and the studio continues to grow strong
while making a positive impact on Michigan’s economy.
“We believe in making a societal impact by transforming people’s
lives through the power of education,” said Simmons. “This belief
led to the creation of our mission-driven design firm. DSA’s
primary focus was on the design of learning environments for
colleges, universities and schools, which is why a partnership with
SHW Group seemed intuitive.”
“The unique areas of expertise we have in our office include
full-service, in-house engineering, sustainability, campus master
planning and professional schools, including law, medical, nursing
schools and others,” added Simmons. “We have so many talented
professionals that add great bench strength to SHW Group’s
nation-wide and global endeavors.”
The expertise in Michigan has allowed SHW Group to drastically
expand their higher education practice, while the company’s K-12
experience is opening doors for more work and more jobs in Michigan.
“The expertise that the Michigan studio brings to our firm is
invaluable,” says Gary Keep, CEO of SHW Group. ”Our mission of
enhancing student achievement through purpose-driven design is
strengthened through the exchange of ideas and expertise throughout
our firm. We look forward to playing a part in the strengthening
Michigan’s economy as education takes an increasingly important role
in that transformation.”
This year, the studio’s gross billings are projected to total $9.25
million. Recent local examples of the studio’s work include:
 |
College of Education, Central Michigan University
- $50 million |
|
School of Medicine Education Commons, Wayne State
University - $30 million |
|
University Center, Lansing Community College -
$11 million |
|
Law School Expansion, University of Detroit Mercy
- $26 million |
|
Classroom Building Renovation, The University of
Michigan-Flint - $9.3 million |
|
Center for Excellence in Bioengineering and Life
Sciences, Kettering University |
|
Information and Technology Center, Jackson
Community College - $16.5 million |
|
Oakland Campus, Cooley Law School - $22 million |
|
Auditorium Renovation, Ferris State University |
|
Damon J. Keith Classroom Building, Wayne State
University - $10 million |
|
Life Science Facility, Montcalm Community College
- $7.5 million |
|
Science Addition & Allied Health Expansion, Glen
Oaks Community College - $3.2 million |
|
Science Building Addition, Oakland Community
College - $8.6 million |
|
Biomedical Technology Center, Schoolcraft College
- $12 million |
|
Student Housing, Jackson Community College - $5.6
million |
