SGA|NW, a GF design company

Award-Winning Architecture Firm

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April 3, 2018

Charleston, SC – SGA Architecture (SGA) is pleased to announce a merger with John Tarkany Associates (JTA) of Charleston, SC, led by John Tarkany.

Tarkany, a graduate of Ohio State where he received a Bachelors in Landscape Architecture, has more than 40 years of experience in land planning and landscape architecture for resorts, communities, public works, and equestrian facilities. JTA’s notable projects include The Sanctuary at Kiawah, The Ocean Course Clubhouse at Kiawah, China International Equestrian City, Chabei, China, and Elbow Cay Club, Hopetown, Elbow Cay, Abaco, The Bahamas.

Along with Tarkany, who joins the firm as a Principal, are Chris Owings (Bachelors of Landscape Architecture from Clemson University,) Joseph O’Callaghan (Bachelors in Landscape Architecture from University College Dublin, Ireland,) and Todd Baxley (Bachelors of Landscape Architecture from Clemson University.) Together, they will lead SGA’s land planning and landscape architecture projects for the Charleston office.

SGA is a versatile team of design and planning professionals whose expertise lies in creating extraordinary places that bring realization to our clients’ visions and strategies. SGA’s fully-integrated design approach combines land planning, architecture, landscape architecture and interior design services in offices located in Charleston, Greenville, and Pawleys Island, SC.

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SGA Architecture was honored to be named the 2018 Firm of the Year from AIA South Carolina at the Community: By Design Conference in Lake City, SC last night. We are thankful to our peers for this great honor in celebrating over 30 years in business in South Carolina.

The video shows a little bit about our firm, our culture, our 30+ year history and the diversity of our project portfolio.

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SGA Architecture, a multidiscipline design firm based in the South Carolina Lowcountry, is opening its fourth office to be located in Greenville, SC.  This new location will allow SGA to better serve existing and future clients who are based in the Upstate Region of the state.

The SGA Greenville office will be led by Principal of Landscape Architecture and Planning, Natasha Sexton. Mrs. Sexton received her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Clemson University and brings with her 15 years of design experience. She is an active member of the Greenville Architectural Community and is a member of many committees and organizations including: SCASLA (SC Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects), ULI (Urban Land Institute), SCEDA (SC Economic Developers Association) and WIA (Women in Architecture).

“I’m looking forward to introducing SGA to the Upstate Market and showcasing SGA’s impressive land planning and landscape architecture talent throughout the state.  SGA’s creative, multi-disciplinary design approach is a perfect match for the growing market in the Upstate.  With extensive experience in multiple project types, the award winning team at SGA will be an asset to the Upstate community.  I am excited to be a part of the SGA team of talented designers,” said Ms. Sexton.

SGA Architecture was founded in 1987 and comprises a team of versatile professionals who offer architecture, land planning, landscape architecture, and interior design solutions for educational, governmental, commercial, cultural, parks & recreation and residential clients.

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SGA Architecture is pleased to announce that Mike Nixon, AIA, LEED, BD+C, has joined the Charleston firm as Project Architect. Nixon brings with him a wealth of experience in the architectural field having practiced for more than 18 years.  His extensive portfolio includes education, commercial, corporate, institutional, and residential projects.

Nixon joins SGA at a time of burgeoning success and growth and the team is very pleased to welcome him. Don Baus, Principal, says, “Mike Nixon brings valuable experience and increased capacity for growth. We are excited to have him as part of the SGA team. ”

SGA Architecture was founded in 1987 and comprises a team of versatile professionals who offer architecture, land planning, landscape architecture, and interior design solutions for educational, governmental, commercial, cultural, parks & recreation and residential clients.

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Integrating Flexible Furniture into K-12 Classrooms

As technology continues to evolve and change the method of pedagogy, so must the furniture in the classroom adapt. Current technology allows classrooms to be wireless, where mobility and portability are increasingly important and 1:1 initiatives are established for every student to be equipped with a tablet or laptop device. Providing flexible furnishings in a classroom enhances the use of this technology and allows for teachers to transition students into arrangements for collaboration, instruction, and assessment in a matter of seconds – not minutes.

SGA worked closely with Horry County Schools in the design of the Early College High on the Horry-Georgetown Technical College campus in Conway, SC. The integration for technology was paramount for the facility, and the furnishings followed in this effort of promoting flexibility. Science labs traditionally require a significant square footage for a facility, but by evaluating the actual needs of today’s science lab/classroom space, SGA was able to reduce the footprint significantly with mobile/flexible furniture. The imagery below depicts how the room easily transitions into different configurations, with the gas and sinks positioned along the exterior walls for the necessary laboratory stations. The adjustable-height tables have a lab-surface top and locking casters for durability and accessibility.

Steelcase is a leader in K-12 research to create furniture that is functional and flexible for the classroom, providing our designers with valuable information to better inform our clients in selecting furnishings for their spaces. These sample classroom models from Steelcase show how the same furnishings can be rearranged into various configurations to facilitate instruction.

Steelcase’s High School Study:

http://www.steelcase.com/en/products/category/educational/seating/node/documents/node_northview_hs_case_study.pdf

Steelcase’s Node Chair Brochure:

http://www.steelcase.com/en/products/category/educational/seating/node/documents/node_brochure.pdf