Church Resource Network

SBW Architects and Associates, Inc.

The firm for worship facilities

SBW is a full service architectural firm in constant operation throughout Michigan for 32 years - The Firm has been led by its two principals, Donn E. Bohde, NCARB and Tim Wagner, NCARB for the last 16 years.

The core staff is comprised of 8 employees ranging from interior designers to technical staff and includes four (4) licensed architects. The Firm is located in expanded facilities on the east side of the Metro Detroit area on Garfield Road, just south of 21 Mile Road in Macomb, Michigan.

Design Philosophy:

Communication is the key to success: Constant communication in the forms of reports and updates are ensured through all phases of the Project.
Plan for the future: By looking to the future in our planning the Owner can realize many thousands of dollars in savings.
“Three Legged Stool”: The Project must work well functionally; be aesthetically pleasing and fit within the Owner’s budget. Without all three “legs” the stool (project) falls.
It’s the Owner’s Building: The wishes of the Owner will dictate in all aspects of the Project except for Life-Safety and other code-related matters.
Comprehensive Documents: Eliminating the guesswork during bidding results in lower initial cost and far fewer cost escalating change orders during construction.

Features which distinguish SBW from its competitors:

Project Team Experience: Our registered professionals have amassed a combined total of over 100 years of professional experience. The majority of this project experience has involved the design of worship environments, assembly spaces and their support facilities. We understand the programmatic requirements of such projects and as such, our ability to listen to your needs and to translate them into a rational program is second to none.

Master Planning Methodology: The master planning methodology offered by SBW, is logical, comprehensive, easy to follow and will result in a comprehensive plan for future growth. At the conclusion of this process, any Committee member will be fully able to explain to any Congregation member why design decisions were made and how these decisions will, in future phases, unfold into a total facility which will continue to meet the specific needs of the Congregation for years to come.

3-D Design: In an effort to increase our Client’s comfort level and to assure that there are no surprises at the conclusion of the project, we have adopted a policy of presenting our design solutions using 3-D computer software. From the very beginning of the design phases, once conceptual space planning is approved, we will present the solution to the Committee using this

3-D presentation technology. In the final analysis, all involved, including the end users, will have a complete understanding of how their physical environments will appear and visually interact with existing facilities, even before it is built. Best of all, SBW includes this presentation technique as part of our Basic Services.

Project Team Size: The SBW Team is large enough to adequately staff the project in accordance with your requirements, yet small enough so that this project will maintain its high priority from the start of Programming to the building’s final inspection.

Principal Involvement: The Committee will work with both the Principal-In-Charge and the Project Architect from the beginning of the Project until Final Payment to the Contractor is certified. In this manner, you do not have to continually learn new personalities and the continuity of the Project is preserved from phase to phase. Decisions can be made on the spot and you can be assured that your Project is receiving our best care.

Construction Documentation Package: There is no other firm in this market who can deliver a set of construction documents such as we prepare. Our well established use of the ConDoc notation methodology on our AutoCad 2004 workstations both contribute to a very comprehensive set of documents. When a bidding contractor does not have to guess as to the project's scope, his bid proposal will be more competitive and in the end will reduce project costs.

Field Observation: SBW spends significant time in the performance of our services during the construction administration phase of the Project. We are present at least bi-weekly to help assure the Committee and the Congregation of a project in compliance with the construction contract as well as governmental requirements.

Claims History: In our thirty-two years of performing professional services, SBW has never had any action taken against it by any regulatory agency. SBW has never been involved in any litigation or arbitration brought against it by a client nor has it filed any litigation, arbitration or claims against a client.

Interior Design and Furnishings Acquisition: Through our subsidiary, SBWinteriors, Inc., we are able to provide for our clients, a complete turn-key service from master planning, through basic services and right into move-in. In much the same manner as the building design was determined, SBWinteriors, inc. works with you and your staff to select, price, purchase and setup all elements of your interior furnishings from office furniture to worship and classroom seating to liturgical artwork and window treatments.

Contact Us:

SBW
46869 Garfield Road
Macomb, MI 48044

(586)532-9388 Phone

(586)532-9377 Fax

sbwarch@ameritech.net

http://sbwarchitects.com/