Category: Latest News
Best Places To Work 2022
Posted By Sapp Design – Sep 8 | 2022
We Made the Top 10!
Moving up from #20 to #9 in Biz 417 Best Places to Work 2022 is a testament to how hard we strive each year to improve and provide a great work environment for our team members! We were honored this year to share this award with several fantastic companies here in 417land and show off our team spirit!! Congrats to all the other winners
Biz 417’s Best Places to Work is a celebration of elite employers who have proven that they know what it takes to create environments where people love to come to work. Identifying and recognizing these outstanding workplaces was a joint effort of Biz 417 Magazine and Best Companies Group.
The Best Places to Work program was open to all publicly or privately held organizations in the 417 region. To be eligible for consideration, organizations must have at least 15 employees in the region, being headquartered in the region was not a requirement.
The “Best Places to Work” survey process was managed by Best Companies Group (BCG). BCG, an independent workplace excellence research firm, managed the registration process, conducted the two-part survey process, evaluated the data, and ultimately chose the employers that were good enough to make the list.
Happy 35th Anniversary
Posted By Sapp Design – Feb 9 | 2022
Today we celebrate 35 years working with our Senior Project Manager Pam Haldiman! Pam is a huge part of Sapp Designs Architects’ success, having worked on over 900+ projects, specifically in the area of Safe Rooms, which will protect 1000s of people across the midwest. Not only is her work immensely appreciated she has been a great mentor to all who have worked with her. So with that being said, we say thank you and happy work anniversary!
Small Biz Spotlight
Posted By Sapp Design – Jun 3 | 2021
Sapp Design Recently sat down with the Springfield Chamber of Commerce to go over our company beginnings and what we are currently up too.
Describe what your organization provides for its customers:
Sapp Design provides a blended approach to architecture, interior design, and master planning services throughout the Midwest. As your partner in a complex world of design and construction, our proactive approach seeks to anticipate your needs and enhance your space through a fusion of innovative & time-tested solutions. We are here to guide you through whatever project you might have with our team of highly knowledgeable professionals that will help you find solutions in an efficient and holistic manner.
Give us a brief history of your business and what makes it unique:
Sapp Design Architects’ humble beginning started in 1986 in a small house located along Springfield’s Historic Walnut Street. During our early years, the firm focused on various project types but quickly found their passion in the public market – where we could most broadly impact each local community.
Fast forward 35 years, our team of 23 passionate architects and interior designers have become known as trusted advisors working with communities across the Midwest, specifically in the fields of public education, higher education, libraries, safe rooms, civic municipalities, and local businesses. We take pride in the fact that we are a group of problem-solvers & innovators – always pursuing the best path forward to assist our clients in finding a comprehensive solution.
What’s the most exciting recent highlight for your business?
In the last three years, Sapp Design Architects opened an office in Kansas City and is working with one of our nation’s largest library systems to modernize all 38 facilities and, in some instances, literally rewriting the book (pun intended) on how libraries service communities beyond books and promote lifetime learning. A prime example of this is the new Green Hills Library Culinary Literacy Program. This innovative approach to library design includes three full-service commercial incubator kitchens for aspiring chefs to perfect their cooking craft. When ready, these entrepreneurs can head over to the new Colbern Library Center’s Square One business center to receive assistance in business planning.
In the field of education, our team is collaborating with multiple districts on several early childhood centers, middle schools, secure entrances and performing arts centers. We are also excited to physically integrate a Boys & Girls Club into another new local elementary school to provide before and after school programs.
Within the Midwest, we reside in a tornado alley. Since 2006, our team has proactively and passionately assisted communities with the funding, design, and construction of nearly 80 structures that have protected tens of thousands of people during severe storms. This year we are proud and humbled to continue to work on an additional 12 new such facilities!
We recently received notice that our firm will be receiving recognition this September from 417 Magazine as one of Springfield’s “Best Places to Work” for 2021. We take pride in serving our clients to the best of our ability and our fellow employees by continuously improving and creating a healthy, collaborative culture.
Where do you hope to see your business in 12 months?
With the economic recovery underway, we see expanding growth within our markets. This growth will allow us to continue to invest in new technologies, infrastructure, and our people.
What advice would you offer to someone starting their own small business?
Finding trusted advisors for business operations is essential. This includes legal, accounting, banking, human resources and insurance. This group of professionals can provide a wealth of knowledge to help set your business on a solid foundation to build from. In addition, mentorship from other business owners can offer “lessons learned” and serve as a tremendous support group.
Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center
Posted By Sapp Design – Dec 15 | 2020
It is a great day when the governor of Missouri comes to a Groundbreaking! On Monday, December 15, 2020, Governor Mike Parson helped kick off the Groundbreaking of State Fair Community College’s new Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center. The 38,500 square foot facility will more than double the college’s capacity in precision machining and welding and expand other programs such as industrial maintenance, robotics, logistics, leadership/supervisory skills, and apprenticeships.

Sapp Design Architects has been collaborating with State Fair Community College for about a year to program a facility that will meet the needs of future generations and pays homage to the past through design elements that speak to the college’s first building affectionately known as “Plywood University.”
The Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center will increase the pipeline of students pursuing high-demand, technical careers; provide under-served and nontraditional populations with avenues to obtain technical skills training, and give area employers the opportunity to skill-up and train workers locally. Students will be able to earn certifications in high paying fields and secure jobs to sustain their families today and offer greater opportunities for their children in the future in central Missouri.
This project was made possible with the generous donation by the Olen Howard family and a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Missouri Department of Economic Development in a partnership with the city of Sedalia, as part of the Workforce Training Initiative.