General Contracting Project Management Butler Building Systems Design/Build Contracting
General Contracting
The Evolution of Partnership
Butler Building Systems
“I started with stars in my eyes … and starting out, the less you know the better. If you realized all the pitfalls, you probably wouldn’t do it.”
Design/Build Contracting
- David Symons, Architect, Principal
Project Management
Providing quality, innovative and cost effective solutions to our customers since 1978. Congratulations to S2 Architecture on your 20th Anniversary in Calgary. Proud to be working with you.
elan
The roots of S2 date back to 1993 when Robert Spaetgens went to work for himself. After one year, he moved the office from his basement to Kensington where David Symons and another architect joined the business as partners. For Spaetgens and Symons, it was the third time they would work together. The first time was in university: they were roommates while studying architecture, during their master’s year, at the University of Manitoba. The second time found them working together at another of Calgary’s successful architectural firms where they spent almost a decade. Spaetgens and Symons were ambitious and progressive thinkers, and ready to take their career to the next level. As fate would play out, Spaetgens and Symons came together for the third time to lead the firm known today as S2. For almost another decade, Spaetgens and Symons grew the business. They hired more architects, technologists and design specialists, landing larger and more prominent projects. In 1997, the firm hired James McLaughlin as an intern architect. McLaughlin had been recruited some time after graduating from McGill University, and after an intricate interview process with 12 different firms, he chose S2 because of the firm’s mentality. Spaetgens and Symons subscribed to an open mindset and that proved to be the tipping point for McLaughlin. Shortly thereafter, Peter Bradshaw joined S2 although he is not an architect.
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This move reflected the partners’ insight and ability to expand the firm beyond the traditional perimeters, and they welcomed Bradshaw’s hands-on expertise as a valuable addition. Bradshaw built his career in the construction industry and was drawn to the challenges and opportunities that S2 presented – working as a construction consultant – but he was equally attracted to the firm’s philosophy, thereby making it an easy choice. And a few months later, Craig Bowd joined S2 and like Bradshaw, Bowd is not an architect either. Bowd is a senior technologist and brought decades of expertise in the field of production and technology. During the late 1990s and as the story of hiring Bowd unfolded, Spaetgens, Symons and Bowd had many lengthy conversations. Ultimately, Bowd made the decision to join S2 because of the firm’s leadership style and their approach to business. As the old expression says, “Great minds think alike…” and as Spaetgens and Symons grew the firm, they hired people who mirrored a similar mentality. They hired people who wanted a ground-floor opportunity: to help build the internal S2 infrastructure, shape the leadership and provide opportunities to the younger generation that was not readily available. A pinnacle year for S2 was 2006. They moved their office from Kensington to the ninth floor of TransAlta Campus, Tower One, in the beltline district. And today, S2 continues to call the ninth floor home. The leadership team also expanded
“ ... even at the highest levels of athletic performance, recreational facilities must be inclusive, creating a meaningful experience for both the participant and spectator enriching the sense of community.” Foothills Athletic Park Master Plan, Calgary, Alberta
S2 Architecture | 20 Years | 2