STH News

Since its inception 40 years ago, the West Palm Beach based firm, STH Architectural Group, Inc. has grown and prospered, always maintaining its philosophy of creating environments, not structures, and its cornerstone of client service.

In 1968, Paul M. Twitty, AIA and Ronald D. Schwab, AIA combined their talents to form Schwab & Twitty Architects, Inc. In the ensuing years, the firm grew to prominence, recognized for its innovative design of private residences, condominium towers, clubhouses and public buildings. A myriad of Schwab & Twitty designed office towers appeared throughout south Florida, dramatically influencing the area’s skyline.

One the eve of its 20th anniversary in 1987, the founding partners, together with then Executive Vice President William A. Hanser, established Schwab, Twitty & Hanser Architectural Group, Inc., and designated Bill Hanser the President.

Proud of its planning and design accomplishments, which span over four decades, STH seeks and responds to new challenges with great enthusiasm, assuring a fresh and timely approach to each project. The firm’s efforts encompass the full spectrum of design, with projects throughout the State of Florida, the U.S. and the Caribbean. Its diversity of design capabilities has enabled STH to effectively weather forty years of economic highs and lows, and to maintain its position as one of Florida’s leading architectural organizations. STH is steadfast in its commitment to client service from contract to project completion, and is dedicated to design integrity.

STH has an active staff of over 40 employees, some of whom have been with the firm since it was established in 1968. Over the years, the principals, associates and a dedicated core of talented individuals have always welcomed and mentored creative newcomers who continually provide innovative ideas and modern concepts for each new project.

STH embraces a philosophy of creating spaces that enhance our living environments. Utilizing rhythms, hierarchy and a contemporary vocabulary, spaces designed by STH reflect the character of their clients while providing inspiration and excitement to the end user.

Headquartered in West Palm Beach, STH designed their office space reflective of its dramatic architectural style. The space incorporates individual glass offices that allow natural light to filter in, conference rooms and a full in-house graphics department, a staff training room and state-of-the-art telecommunications. Sustainable design principles were included using renewable bamboo flooring, low VOC carpet, tile and an energy management lighting system. STH also has offices in Tampa, Florida.

In addition to its enduring expertise in multi-family residential design, the direction of the firm has evolved to include significant educational, bio-science and religious facilities and higher profile, more complex buildings, as well as site master plans for on-going and expanding projects.

Innovative education facilities designed by STH include the Workforce Training Center at Palm Beach Community College, the Florida Atlantic University Student Center in Boca Raton, the Institute of Public Safety Building at Broward Community College, as well as the Physical Science Building at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, which boasts the state’s largest telescope.

STH has expanded its bioscience expertise and is responding to the needs of the biotech world, including the design of two buildings for the Scripps Research Institute on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter, and five prototype science laboratory facilities for Florida’s Community College system. Currently, the new Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Engineering and Computer Science building is being designed with the goal to be the first university structure in the state of Florida to receive Platinum LEED certification.

The list of churches and religious facilities designed by the firm numbers more than 30, including the Palm Beach Atlantic University DeSantis Chapel, the First Baptist Church in Naples and Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, all involving exceptionally large campuses that meet the spiritual needs of their congregations in addition to providing space for education, family gatherings and entertainment. At over 460,000 square feet, Idlewild is one of the largest churches in the state with a 5,600-seat worship center. The entire church is designed around a gatheria, a lobby and a foyer that can also hold meetings, which functions like the hub of a wheel.

Corporate office design is a critical element in the history of STH. Working with Palm Beach County, STH designed the 250,000 square foot Vista Administration Center giving a new identity for county services. STH designed Northbridge Center, a landmark tower in the downtown core of West Palm Beach. A starkly contemporary design set within a traditional ‘Mizner’ city, it gave the downtown a new unique individuality.

The recipient of myriad local, regional and national design awards, STH is particularly honored to be recognized by its peers. STH has been named Firm of the Year by the Palm Beach Chapter of AIA. Founding partner and CEO Paul M. Twitty also receive the AIA Palm Beach Gold Medal in 2005.

“Our philosophy embraces creativity and client service. We are in the business of creating environments, not buildings,” says STH founding partner Paul M. Twitty, AIA. “These environments respond to and affect the way people live, play, learn and conduct business. We want our designs to be our legacy to the communities where we live and everywhere we are privileged to work.”

as published in florida/caribbean ARCHITECT magazine 2008

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