Spectrum Design Recognized as a "Small Business of the Year" in Southwest Virginia
Thursday, March 20th, 2008
Roanoke, VA
Spectrum Design - a Roanoke based architecture and engineering firm - has been named a regional semi-finalist for Virginia Business Magazine's 2007 Small Business of the Year award. Across the state, 175 companies were nominated for the award and Spectrum Design was one of two semi-finalists chosen from the Southwest Virginia region. The announcement was made in the magazine's February 2008 issue.
"We're pleased to have received this recognition," said David Bandy, Vice President and Director of Design at Spectrum Design. "At Spectrum Design we have a commitment to exceed the expectations that are set before us. Through innovation, and attention to detail, the work we do reflects that commitment and we're proud of the way our business has served this region."
The recognition comes on the heels of an impressive year for Spectrum Design, which grew its business by more than 80 percent, revenue by more than 100 percent, and reinforced its position as a leading firm in a variety of architectural and engineering capabilities. In 2007, Spectrum Design was awarded contracts for some of the region's most impressive and well-known projects, including Heartwood: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Gateway, Roanoke City's Center in the Square renovations, and Northside High School.
With 8 LEED-accredited professionals on staff, Spectrum Design is also becoming recognized as the premier firm for incorporating environmentally-friendly design and engineering tactics into their projects. Currently more than 50 percent of the firm's significant projects are utilizing LEED design principles.
"We've felt for a long time that green design is an important aspect; not just in enhancing the environment, but also in reducing building life cycle costs, energy costs and enhancing the building's sustainability," said John Garland, President of Spectrum Design. "So many of our clients have begun to express interest in this area and we're excited that we have the resources and history of knowledge to incorporate these concepts into solutions that will work for each individual situation."
No stranger to recognition, several of Spectrum Design's projects received awards last year, including two Virginia Historic Preservation Awards for the Roanoke State & City Building and the General Francis Marion Hotel in Marion, Va., which was also recognized with an AIA Blue Ridge Special Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation. The firm was also awarded three Golden Trowel Awards from Downtown Roanoke, Inc. for the State & City Building, Campbell Avenue Garage Lofts, and Candy Factory Lofts.
This is the third year that Virginia Business has selected recipients for the Small Business of the Year award. To be eligible, companies must be in business for at least five years, have at least one owner active in the business, be profitable, and have fewer than 100 empoyees.