Marshall-Waters-Woody firm thriving after 40 years in business

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Marshall-Waters-Woody Associates has seen much change in its 40 years of business. Computers and technology have, of course, had the biggest impact on the architectural firm.|ret||ret||tab|

"I remember 25 years ago when we got our first fax machine," said partner Bill Woody. "We thought, Wow, this is unbelievable.' Now we're transferring huge drawing files over the Internet."|ret||ret||tab|

Construction materials also have changed.|ret||ret||tab|

Roofing systems, prefabricated items and pre-engineered metal building systems are examples Woody and Vice President Bob Waters noted.|ret||ret||tab|

"I think expectations of clients are more than they used to be in the concern for time of construction," Waters said. "This has brought about new materials and part of the technology."|ret||ret||tab|

Woody said: "I think the clientele have become more sophisticated. They probably know more of what they want and don't want."|ret||ret||tab|

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In the beginning|ret||ret||tab|

The firm, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in February, started as Marshall-Waters in 1962.|ret||ret||tab|

Bob Marshall, who retired about 16 years ago, remembered his first trip to Springfield near Christmas in 1949. He was here for a job interview with an architectural firm.|ret||ret||tab|

"The temperature was 65 degrees and the grass was green on the golf course along old Highway 66," Marshall said. "I decided this was for me. When I moved here after graduation in March 1950, there was an 18-inch snowfall. I thought What have I got myself into?'" |ret||ret||tab|

Waters joined the same firm as Marshall in 1952. There the two learned to depend on each other and became close friends. Ten years later, they founded Marshall-Waters. Woody became a partner in 1979, and then the firm became Marshall-Waters-Woody Associates.|ret||ret||tab|

"When I came to Springfield, young architects were, for the most part, GIs trained under the GI Bill and were older by a few years than the architects graduating school now," Waters said. "A lot of the group had traveled the world and were married. There was a camaraderie among the young architects that I don't think is here today. That's probably because of the sheer number of architects and the pace at which we live. It's a different climate."|ret||ret||tab|

The amount of competition has changed over the years. Waters said there were six architectural firms in the area 40 years ago, and he estimated there may be 60 now. Also, "just as we go out-state, others from out-state come in. So, as we're the prophet in their backyard, they are the prophet in our backyard."|ret||ret||tab|

Waters said Springfield has become more cosmopolitan over the years. He believes the Lake of the Ozarks and the Table Rock area have changed the type of clientele, with more corporate homes for industries in the area.|ret||ret||tab|

The firm is seeing more repeat clients, too.|ret||ret||tab|

"(When we started) people would build a building. Today, it isn't unusual for us to have a client who will come back for many projects or many expansions on the same building," Waters said.|ret||ret||tab|

One thing that has stayed about the same is the firm's size.|ret||ret||tab|

"We stay at about 10 to 12 people for a purpose," Woody said. "We've just never wanted to expand beyond that. We give more personal attention to projects that way. The larger your firm the less control the owners usually have."|ret||ret||tab|

Waters said: "We talk to our clients rather than delegating that to another tier of personnel in the firm. I think we are more sensitive to the plans and specifications that go out just by our internal control."|ret||ret||tab|

Projects|ret||ret||tab|

Some out-state projects Marshall-Waters-Woody has been involved in include more than 400 McDonald's restaurants in the Midwest. |ret||ret||tab|

For almost 20 years, the firm has worked on Air Force exchange facilities across the country, Waters said.|ret||ret||tab|

Locally, the firm's project list includes Plaza Towers, KTXR radio station, Immaculate Conception Church and the former Charlie Pride Theatre.|ret||ret||tab|

"We try to design buildings that are going to look good 20 years from now," Woody said.|ret||ret||tab|

Satisfaction is what the designers take away from a well-done project.|ret||ret||tab|

"We share our buildings and see people laughing and smiling and enjoying themselves, or doing what it is that the building was intended for, or hear a sigh of pleasure. Wow, we all like to share that," Waters said.|ret||ret||tab|

Another plus, Marshall said, is "We were able to help a number of young people get started in their architectural careers."|ret||ret||tab|

And Marshall-Waters-Woody intends to keep that trend going strong for another 40 years.|ret||ret||tab|

"Ed and I may not be here, but we can see the firm continuing through," Woody said. |ret||ret||tab|

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