Reeds Spring School - Gymnasium Addition

It's official! We broke ground on October 6 and are under construction.
The project will also include a renovation to the Intermediate School, look for upcoming imagery.

A visit from the Governor

What a day at the offices of Dake Wells Architecture and EMSI. A visit today from Governor Jay Nixon of the great state of Missouri was both exciting and invigorating. It was a great thrill to have Governor Nixon in our office along with his staff and the local press. It forced us to clean up our office and we had the rare opportunity to visit with the Governor as he made his way across the state. Check out the press coverage at http://www.ky3.com/news/political/blog/37733969.html

Exeter Update

The latest construction images of Exeter seem promising. The entire office feels a little warm and fuzzy knowing that this is going to be in Exter Missouri - population 700ish

Exeter Update

"It's the passion, stupid."

Between the constant barrage of stock market reports and political attack ads of late, it's hard not to notice that the economy is a bit rough these days.

Last week, our practice completed construction documents for two projects simultaneously. Possibly the most significant projects we've worked on to date. Construction should commence in a few weeks and we are thrilled with the potential they both hold to transform the college campus and the town in which they are located, as well as the lives of students and community members that will assemble there, not to mention what we hope they will do for our practice over the long term.

This week, we photographed the completed renovation of the Games Center at Missouri State University, now renamed LEVEL 1. This is always a time of fulfillment for us because it marks the completion of the project and records it forever. The camera doesn't lie. At the same time, our addition to Exeter schools is nearing completion and recent construction photos of that project suggest that our efforts to expand design possibilities into rural communities is working. These are exciting times for us at Dake Wells Architecture.

Next week, several of us will be attending the AIA Central States Regional Conference in Kansas City with the hope of making new connections with other like-minded professionals and renewing existing relationships that have helped us through our first four years of this gig. On Thursday evening, October 23, I'll be presenting some random thoughts about our design work at Pecha Kucha, a 6 minute and 40 second presentation format that may or may not interest others, but thrills me to no end.

So amidst the roller coaster stock charts, political banter, and admittedly challenging economic times, just remember that it's your passion that moves you.

3+1=4

Dake Wells Architecture has been presented with 4, count 'em, four, awards for design excellence from AIA Springfield in its bi-annual awards competition DA08. Three from the program's prestigious professional jury from Seattle, including Jon Wagner, AIA, Eric Lagerberg, AIA and chaired by Eric Cobb, AIA and one granted by the public jury of local community leaders.

The System, A Paul Mitchell Partner School received a Citation Award from the professional jury,



Stoutland School Addition received a Merit Award from the professional jury,



And Joel E. Barber Elementary School received the professional jury's highest honor- Honor Award.



And then the public jury, chaired by Nancy Brown-Dornan, saw fit to grant Joel E. Barber with yet another award- Public Recognition Award for Small School.

These are the fruits of our labor.

This recognition is a huge thrill for us and validates our efforts. We see awards granted by our peers in the profession, especially ones we have such admiration for in their own right, as encouragement to continue our efforts to constantly push our designs to a higher level.

There is no question that it takes exceptionally supportive clients, consultants and contractors to make these kinds of projects possible. We extend our sincerest thanks to all those we've worked with on these three projects in particular.

But wait, there's more! We have some truly exciting projects currently on the boards in our office, several of which are our largest projects to date. They each present their own unique design challenges and look to be equally exciting design solutions that we hope to share with you all in the near future. Check out our website for some previews and of course - stay tuned.

May Art Walk

We love creative talent here at D|Wa, and while we might know our way around a set of floor plans, we're lost on a lot of other artistic endeavors.  So, after recognizing our limitations, we've begun opening up for art walk and convincing that creative talent to hang out with us.

Last Friday, May 2nd, Convey Studios hosted their second photography exhibit in our space.  The exhibit featured photographs of the people of Uganda, taken by Jen Campbell.  We're routinely impressed by the quality and variety of work that comes from our city's arts community, and when it comes to photography, Sesha, Jen, and Reese are producing some of the best and most relevant work out there.  

Outside of documenting the people in and around Springfield, Convey has a portfolio of international work that hints at what truly sets them apart: their shared social conscious.  The quality and care shown in their shots of people from around the world, and their continued push for awareness of humanitarian issues, reveal that their practice is built upon much more than just good composition.  Check them out for yourself at www.conveystudios.com.

We were also fortunate enough to have some great musical talent in our space last Friday.  Lee Ellen Starks and Elizabeth Losson can usually be found playing somewhere each First Friday.  Trading off between acoustic guitar and piano, their music is folk with an occasional mix of blues.  Their voices however are where they excel.  Elizabeth and Lee Ellen’s voices are each strong and unique on their own, but they are at their best when harmonizing with each other.  They will be playing at the next Art Walk at Randy Bacon’s Studio on June 6th.  You can find more information on them at

http://www.myspace.com/leeellenstarks 

http://www.myspace.com/88keymt

Erin Swanson also added to the set by playing viola on a few songs.  Erin has played with Drury University’s orchestra and quartet for four years and has shared the stage with Jeremy Larson along with other local musicians.  She’s very talented, clever, and was kind enough to even let me sit in on a few songs. 

We will be open again next month (June 6th) so come up and visit.  We’re not sure what we’re showing yet… but we’ve got a month to figure it out, and surprises are more fun anyways.  See you then.