VISION
HISTORY
Founded in 1982 by Fran Spector, Connie Knapp and Beth Baughman, today the firm carries on the traditions and values of these three pioneering women who wanted to build a professional practice that allowed the experienced Principals of the firm to remain deeply involved in the projects and give the clients the real benefit of the Principals' experience. Fran, Connie and Beth also wanted to build a workplace that nurtured and encouraged everyone who came to work at SKB to achieve all they could as professionals and people.
Mark Baughman, NCARB, IIDA, LEED AP first started with SKB by helping the original partners with design and construction drawings and eventually joined them as a Partner in 1987. Ever since joining, Mark has been responsible for setting the direction of the firm and leading the design efforts. Mark became President of SKB in 2005 and continues to lead the firm.
Since its modest beginnings in a townhouse basement studio, SKB has grown to have major offices in Austin, Texas, Silicon Valley and Washington, DC, representative offices in Chicago and Hartford, and affiliate offices in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Singapore. SKB has designed architectural and interiors projects in over 100 countries, and is licensed to practice architecture in over 20 states.
COMMITMENT
We believe that everything that fell under the heading of Architecture and Urbanism is rapidly redefining itself.
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Now that people are simultaneously in several places at the same time, what humans see and need from the built environment - whether it's an office, a factory, a house, an apartment or a community square - has changed.
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Additionally, the Pandemic has changed our lifestyles and how we engage with buildings, places and each other.
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While the trend for architecture firms is to narrow their focus on specific project types, SKB believes in keeping an eye on the big picture.
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Now more than ever our clients understand the importance to them of concepts like smart growth, sustainable cities, biophilia, diversity and inclusion, the gig economy, inclusionary zoning, opportunity zones, advanced building technologies, integrated project delivery, and the dramatic changes happening with communities and their leadership.
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More than ever our clients need their architects to be leaders and partners who share the same goals for the project.
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To be effective, we must be masters at construction technology so we are not distracted while we look for innovative and cost effective solutions. There is no construction type or engineering system SKB has not designed or renovated. There is no building code complexity that SKB has not successfully resolved.
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To be effective, as designers we need to be nimble and able to push to solutions that are not readily apparent. we need to first think of design strategies before we take on aesthetics.
Because we approach our practice this way, our projects are always on schedule and never over budget.
And our projects are always sensible, efficient, innovative and poetic.
RECOGNITION
Washington Business Journal
List of Largest Interior Design Firms (Regionally)
Interior Design Magazine
Top 150 Interior Design Giants (Nationally)
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DC Building Industry Association
President's Award for Community Service
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Interior Design Magazine
Rising Giant
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PROJECT AWARDS
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SHEPPARD, MULLIN, RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP
Washington, DC Office
Engineering News - Record Mid-Atlantic Region
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BALLARD SPAHR LLP
IIDA Design Awards: Gold
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MATHEMATICA
IIDA Design Awards: Silver
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STEPTOE & JOHNSON PLLC
Associated Builders and Contractors
West Virginia Chapter
Excellence in Construction Award Commercial Office Building
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TIME, INCORPORATED, WASHINGTON BUREAU
Washington, DC
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Commercial Design Award
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NOVAK DRUCE + QUIGG
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Commercial Design Award
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COVINGTON & BURLING CHILD CARE CENTER
Washington, DC
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Commercial Design Award
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GREENSPUN, SHAPIRO, DAVIS, & LEARY, P.C.
Washington, DC
National Association of Industrial & Office Properties (NAIOP)
Northern Virginia Chapter
Best Interiors – Commercial Space Award of Excellence
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PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA
Washington, DC
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Commercial Design Bronze Award
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Washington DC Chapter
Award of Detail in Interior Architecture
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JENNER & BLOCK LLP
New York, NY
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Commercial Design Silver Award
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GOODWIN PROCTER LLP CONFERENCE CENTER
Boston, MA
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Commercial Design Silver Award
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MILLER & CHEVALIER
Washington, DC
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Commercial Design Silver Award
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GOODWIN PROCTER LLP
Washington, DC
Washington Building Congress
Craftsmanship Award
MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS, LLP
Washington, DC
National Association of Industrial & Office Properties (NAIOP)
Maryland/DC Chapter
Best Interiors – Commercial Space Award of Excellence
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Commercial Design Silver Award
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PG & E CORPORATION
Washington, DC
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)
International Illumination Design Award of Merit
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WILMER, CUTLER & PICKERING, LLP
Washington, DC
National Association of Industrial & Office Properties (NAIOP)
Maryland/DC Chapter
Best Interiors – Commercial Space Award of Excellence
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FLEISHMAN HILLARD
Washington, DC
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
Washington Metro Region
Commercial Design Bronze Award
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FAIRCHILD DORNIER HEADQUARTERS
Herndon, VA
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)
Illumination Design Award
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Fairfax County Chapter
Exceptional Design Program Merit Award
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TELEGLOBE INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
Reston, VA
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)
Illumination Design Award
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PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA
Washington, DC
Washington Building Congress
Craftsmanship Award