Design Philosophy & Methods

Each design or planning project is unique. Some are simple, others are quite complex. Mostly, the design process is open-ended. It must be adaptable to change and allow for future changes or revisions.

The choice of design method is important to the outcome of the project design. Design is not a mystery, and great solutions do not come in a 'lightning flash'. Design is not restricted to genius. Design is a process where many different methods must be considered and employed. In our area of expertise, it is also critical that we collaborate with many others throughout the design process.

We have an expert understanding of design and construction processes, and we have demonstrated our creative problem-solving approaches to complex problems. Creative solutions that exceed our clients' expectations and meet the demands of reveiw agencies, other consultants, contractors, budgets, and project schedules are not developed without a solid understanding of the problem. We work hard to observe, research, and understand the nature of each site or project context and to understand the desire of our clients.

Our solutions are based on an approach that strives to connect the design to the surrounding area, the infrastructure, and the community. Our solutions also must be internally connected, sustainable, harmonious, composed, and artistic.

We are motivated by the challenge of transforming sites into areas that people can enjoy. If the site calls for it, we are not timid about big changes, but we are also confident enough to know when to leave it alone. Our process includes constant thought about the environment, sustainability, construction, and maintenance. We specialize in environmental sensitivity in planning and design with extensive experience in the inclusion of Best Management Practices.

DESIGN WITH NATURE...

The Studio

In 2003, we decided to relocate to downtown San Antonio to better serve our urban projects and clients. We bought an old upholstery shop at the corner of 9th & Alamo St. and renovated it to accomodate our studio space and offices.

This complex of buildings on the northern edge of downtown is centered on a limestone structure in “Irish Flats.” We believe the oldest portion of our office was built around 1890. It rests roughly 400 yards from the San Antonio River and is surrounded by many reminders of the history of central San Antonio's progression and cultivation. The Alamo itself is just a ten-minute walk away. Just behind our courtyard, the Alamo 'Acequia Madre' once flowed, providing drinking water and agricultural irrigation to the Mission San Antonio de Valero (a.k.a. The Alamo) and the surrounding agricultural fields. This 3.5 mile sinuous ditch, originating from the spring-fed headwaters of the San Antonio River near the present-day Witte Museum in Brackenridge Park, was dug by hand in the 1720’s by missionaries and Native Americans. As the settlement grew, additions and branches to the acequia extended its total length to more than 10 miles, and several separate acequias were constructed as well. Despite the introduction of wells and other means of acquiring water, the 'Acequia Madre' remained in use until 1912. San Antonio's is the most extensive known network of acequias in North America. Though only small sections of the system actually remain visible today, the layout of these irrigation ditches inadvertently shaped much of central San Antonio's existing urban fabric.

Our office site also provides an opportunity to demonstrate some of the landscape principles we employ in our designs, such as the office rain garden and courtyard with native plantings throughout. We have secured a certain presence on North Alamo Street – with the bold colors of the office exterior and the extraordinary planting throughout the site, you can’t miss us!

The Rain Garden

Our approach to managing stormwater runoff at our studio is based on the premise that stormwater management is very different from stormwater disposal. Disposing of stormwater runoff by directing it into storm sewers contributes to the pollutant load and flooding of San Antonio’s streams and creeks during a rain event. As an alternative, we constructed a self-contained rain garden in the courtyard to slow runoff directed from the roof and to allow it to slowly percolate into the deep soil below. This process irrigates the surrounding native plants, but most importantly, it significantly reduces the excess water entering the city’s piped stormwater system from our property. Native xeric and riparian plant species were chosen, particularly those plants with deep root systems, to help filter and remove pollutants from the collected stormwater as it drains through the soil and recharges groundwater.

BETH BENDER WELLS, PRESIDENT

A San Antonio native, Beth earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Trinity University and a Master of Science in Urban Studies from the University of Texas in San Antonio. Beth has over 35 years professional experience in environmental graphic design, planning, and urban design. While she is the primary project manager of planning and environmental graphic design projects, she is also involved in the design, scheduling, specification preparation, and management of landscape architecture projects. Her background includes experience in site-specific design, feasibility studies, large-scale master plans, corporate branding, and high-profile pedestrian wayfinding systems. Beth has also served the Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas on the Board of Directors in a variety of positions including President, Vice President, and Secretary among others, and is a member of the Community Gardens Committee.

LAWRENCE C. CLARK, PLA, VICE PRESIDENT

Larry earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Washington and has nearly 35 years professional experience as a registered landscape architect. He is the primary project manager for landscape architectural projects and provides comprehensive planning from project inception through construction completion. Larry has a history of responding quickly to the demands of large-scale projects. His expertise includes park development, hike & bike trails, streetscape improvements, LID’s, drainage facilities, urban parks, and wayfinding systems. He has worked with cities, agencies, universities, corporate campus managers, and others to employ sustainable designs stressing the use of local materials. Larry is actively involved in the community. Besides his involvement in his own neighborhood association and his professional membership in the American Society of Landscape Architects, he is also past-President and an active Board Member of the Mission Trail Rotary Club, is a Former Chair of the City of San Antonio Open Space Advisory Board, and served on the Executive Committee of the San Antonio Mobility Coalition from its founding in 2001 until 2008.

BENJAMIN VIERVILLE

A San Antonio native, Ben earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from Texas Tech University and has been a part of the BWCD team since 2006. He served 3 years on the City of San Antonio Fort Sam Houston Community Advisory Board and is currently a mentor in the ACE Mentor Program of America here in San Antonio. He has worked on a wide variety of project types in his years with BWCDesign.

CHEN SCHNEIDER

Chen has been with BWCDesign since its founding. With a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Tamkang and nearly 45 years of professional experience as an accountant/controller, she is an essential component of the firm. Her responsibilities include complete financial statements, corporate tax returns, accounts payable and receivable. She is a member of the National Society of Accountants as well as the Texas Association of Financial & Tax Specialists.

LINDA DELGADO

Linda has been with BWCDesign since 2011. With 10 years of prior clerical experience, she brings a friendly welcome to our front desk. In addition to her reception role, Linda's assistance with accounting and office management ventures helps keep the office in check!

TUCKER

Tucker guards the candy bowl. His expertise includes guest arrival notification, snack negotiation, scampering, and tracking solar position via regular verification of the office's shifting basking spots.