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MWHS Architectural Design Services

Mark Swain

Education/Training

Master of Architecture:

University at Buffalo

School of Architecture and Planning

International Studies:

ARKITEKTSKOLEN AARHUS

(Aarhus School of Architecture)

Associations & Groups

American Institute of Architects (AIA)
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
Freemasonry
Habitat for Humanity

MWHS Architectural Design Services is based in Suwanee Georgia and was founded by Mark Swain in 2012. Mark has over 22 years of professional experience with some of the most noted Architectural firms in Buffalo New York, Charlottesville Virginia and Atlanta Georgia. Mark uses his experience to help his clients meet their specific architectural needs, His experience encompasses a diverse spectrum of building design that include the privet and public sectors, commercial, corporate, municipal, healthcare, educational, mixed-use, religious facilities, residential design and specializes in adaptive reuse.

Our Mission is to listen to our clients' needs, cultivate partnerships with them and always be able to modify, customize, and provide solutions for them as they continue to evolve. Working as a partnership we work to create design solutions that connect a buildings purpose, function and context. This is achieved through collaborative design, clear communication, sensible design, and an understanding of the possibilities and constraints of each project.

Services Provided:

Building Design: Professional and efficient development of new construction or renovation plans that successfully resolve a client’s space planning and design requirements.
Facility/Building Analysis|Existing Conditions Report: Evaluation of an existing building including components such as walls, windows, roofs, floor plans, room layouts, building science audits and equipment resulting in a summary report of the findings.
Code Analysis: Project-specific review of applicable codes including building codes, accessibility standards, energy standards, local zoning ordinances, land use plans, and other regulations.
Space Planning: Graphic study showing arrangement of spaces, room layouts, and activities making up a floor plan. Studies will show room dimensions, shapes, number and types of spaces, and relationships (adjacencies) for all desired spaces. Multiple arrangements can be developed and evaluated for efficiency and functional success.
Permitting: Production of drawings and permit applications necessary to submit for zoning or building permits. May include formal presentations to review boards or informal negotiation with regulators, zoning/planning administrators, fire marshals, and other officials.
Contractor Selection/Construction Administration Assistance: Professional and experienced assistance with the selection of qualified General Contractors or Construction Managers. This may include the preparation of competitive bid packages, review of bids, recommendations for award of bids, preparing owner-contractor agreements, and construction administration.
Creative, Artistic & Technological Design: Imaginative, functional and aesthetic solutions to a client’s stated needs. Assistance with envisioning new, creative solutions to problems that have been difficult to solve.
New Home Construction Inspections: Preform site visits and home inspections (walk-throughs) at various stages of the construction process, and generate punch-list for contractors to address.

Other Services Provided:

New home palmary and final inspections; using our extensive knowledge of constructing and construction details we represent our clients (the home owners) for the palmary and final walkthrough inspections. We work with contractor to inspect the quality of work done and document issues to be addressed by the contractor and their subs.
Existing building survey and analysis; Inspecting and documenting existing building and its components, list potential issues.
As-Built record drawings; Documenting existing or recently completed work.
Design team management and process/integration management; work with the design team to ensure owners needs are met.
Team-up with other Architectural firms to provides architectural services assistance noted below were needed:
- Conceptual design and regional/cultural context
- Project programming, pre-design planning
- Space utilization, functionality, economic and pre-design analysis
- Interior design
- Accessibility (ADA, Georgia Access Rules) reviews and design
- Consultant coordination and management
- Construction administration, time, cost and quality management
- Illustration rendering and 3D design modeling