50 years ago marked the beginning of a legacy rich in history and long on experience.
In 1973, Mike Shaughnessy, Mike Fickel and Bill Scott founded their namesake architectural firm in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Dedicated to the principles of timeless design and exceptional client service, Shaughnessy Fickel and Scott Architects delivered award-winning projects to the academic, civic and state, federal, justice, public safety, recreation, workplace and worship markets.
In 2007, under the ownership of Mike Christianer, Kerry Newman and Marsha Hoffman, the firm rebranded to SFS Architecture with the mission to enrich people, organizations and communities through meaningful collaboration and purposeful design. Now operating in ten markets, including historic preservation and not-for-profit, the firm is committed to delivering projects in both public and private sectors that stimulate community growth through new construction and renovation.
In 2018, Brian Garvey, Kwame Smith and Kelly Edinger-Stindt were promoted to principals. Dana Gould was promoted to principal in 2022.
The heart of our firm is our people and culture. Today it’s represented by 40 individuals from diverse backgrounds, including registered architects, architectural graduates, interior designers and support staff. Together we’re united to develop responsive, functional and beautiful architecture for our clients. We connect and discover, communicate and collaborate, and exchange ideas with challenges to make them better. Through our shared passion for design and our shared respect for each other’s expertise and contributions, we achieve outcomes to benefit our clients and enrich our communities.
Below is a look back at 50 years of projects that inspire those who use them and enrich the communities around them. Here’s to 50 more.
1973
![1973](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/1973-Midgley-Shaughnessy-Fickel-and-Scott-Opens-3.jpg)
Midgley Shaughnessy Fickel and Scott opens.
1974
![1974](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/1974-First-Project-The-Greenery-of-Westport-3-500x300.jpg)
1st Project: The Greenery of Westport
1975
![1975](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/1975-First-Worship-Project-St.-Joseph-the-Worker-Master-Plan-2-scaled.jpg)
1st Worship Project: St. Joseph the Worker
1977
![1977](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/1977-First-Public-Safety-Project-Riverside-Fire-Station-EMS-1-scaled.jpg)
1st Public Safety Project: Riverside Fire Station + EMS
1978
![1978](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/1978-First-Justice-Project-Clay-County-Justice-Center-Needs-Assessment-2-scaled.jpg)
1st Justice Project: Clay County Justice Center
1979
![1979](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/1979-First-Recreation-Project-East-Lawrence-Neighborhood-Center-2-scaled.jpg)
1st Recreation Project: East Lawrence Neighborhood Center
1981
![1981](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/1981-First-Academic-Project-JCCC-Arts-and-Technology-Building-2.jpg)
1st Academic Project: Johnson County Community College Arts and Technology Building
1983
![1983](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/1983-First-Civic-Project-Prairie-Village-Municipal-Building-2-scaled.jpg)
1st Civic Project: Prairie Village Municipal Building
1984
![1984](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/1984.jpg)
1st Federal Project: GSA Work Order #1
1989
![1989](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/1989-First-Preservation-Project-Grant-Hall-University-of-Missouri-2.jpg)
1st Preservation Project: University of Missouri – Kansas City’s Grant Hall
1990
![1990](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/1990-SFS-Moves-to-910-Walnut-office-1-scaled.jpg)
SFS moves to the 910 Walnut Street office.
1998
![1998](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/1998-SFS-Moves-to-1150-Grand-office-1-scaled.jpg)
SFS moves to the 1150 Grand Boulevard office.
2000
![2000](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2000-Mike-Christianer-made-Principal.JPG.jpg)
Mike Christian is made Principal.
2000
![2000](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2000-Kerry-Newman-made-Principal-2-scaled.jpg)
Kerry Newman is made Principal.
2005
![2005](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2005-Marsha-Hoffman-made-Principal.tif.jpg)
Marsha Hoffman is made Principal.
2015
![2015](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2015-SFS-moves-to-2100-Central-office-1-1-scaled.jpg)
SFS moves to our current office at 2100 Central Street.
2018
![2018](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2018-3.jpg)
Brian Garvey, Kwame Smith and Kelly Edinger-Stindt are made Principals.
2022
![2022](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2022-Dana-Gould-made-Principal.jpg-1-2.jpg)
Dana Gould made Principal.
2023
![2023](https://sfsarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023.jpg)
SFS Celebrates 50 Years.