Our philosophy, our self-image
How SHA thinks and works
Design
We shape our environment and want to make it better and more liveable with our buildings and facilities. If we can do that, we will be successful. Architecture and urban planning form public space, working and living environments. Unlike art, it is impossible to escape architecture and urban planning because we are always moving within them. And unlike fashion, architecture must be durable, timeless and coherent because we cannot simply discard or replace it.
This means that we have a special responsibility not only to our client, but also to the general public.
“Carer”
We are curious, listen very carefully and analyze complex requirements precisely. We do not see construction tasks with difficult framework conditions as a restriction, but rather as a special challenge in which we can demonstrate our expertise. Throughout the entire process, we see ourselves as pragmatic and solution-oriented caretakers who hold all the threads together with an overview and foresight. We drive planning forward with continuity, reliability and precision – right through to detailed execution. We are available to the client as a contact partner for any questions.
This allows them to continue to concentrate on their core business. Our construction management monitors the execution on site throughout Germany and is a reliable advisor and problem solver during the construction phase and beyond.
Long-term nature
Long-term corporate strategies require future-oriented planning. A successful company not only sees the here and now, but must also plan ahead in order to effectively utilize development opportunities and potential. That’s what SHA does.
We always think outside the box for our clients and see every task as a building block in a larger context. What is the demand in the short, medium and long term? How can synergies be created? How can existing systems be optimized and integrated?
These are all questions that perhaps go beyond the classic construction task, but which we take for granted.
Economic efficiency
For us, construction management starts at the design stage. Long before the first excavator rolls in, our construction management team works with the planners to take care of the costs and deadlines. Initial schedules are drawn up at the start of the project, refined as the project progresses and continually optimized. Our project controlling offers our clients transparent cost control: from the cost framework at the start of planning through to cost determination on completion of the project. Adherence to the jointly agreed budget and the agreed standards is always our top priority. That is why we rely on personal contact and our presence on the construction site.
Individuality
Every building project is individual and requires a customized solution. For this reason, a project begins for us even before the actual planning with the service phase zero, in which we are primarily concerned with understanding our client, his needs, the organizational and functional processes.
This lays the foundation for holistic planning and a successful, innovative project. This is how we give our buildings identity and character.
Functionality
The origin of the word “architecture” means “art of building”. For SHA, we translate this into an attitude: when pragmatic architecture emerges from the logistical and functional requirements of our customers, we can create real added value – and architecture as we understand it. True to the motto “form follows function”, as Mies van der Rohe already knew.
We will show you creative solutions in which aesthetics, functionality and economy go hand in hand.
Communication
A respectful exchange at eye level – this is not only important to us in the office, but also in our daily interactions with our customers and partners.
We accompany and support our clients throughout all phases of the project. A personal level with fixed contact persons and trusting cooperation are the be-all and end-all for us. The best confirmation of our work is when we are commissioned again and are able to realize follow-up projects with our clients.
Sustainability
In our eyes, good architecture is created when we succeed in creating added value from the synthesis of all functional, ecological, structural-spatial, economic and, above all, socio-cultural qualities, which are rarely mentioned in the requirements program of a project, from which everyone benefits in the long term – and thus sustainably. Our aim in construction projects is to develop clear and easily comprehensible concepts using carefully deployed resources.
SHA is already implementing many resource-saving measures not only on the construction site, but also within the office.
Our values
This is what we live (before)
Together
Open and fair dealings with one another, honesty and professional competence form the basis of our work. Every employee is valued for his or her uniqueness and special skills. On this basis, SHA is now in its fourth generation of success and has realized countless construction projects. Mistakes also happen – which we discuss constructively in order to learn from them. Regular feedback and appraisal interviews help each individual and the company to move forward.
We have flat hierarchies, clear responsibilities and are consistent in our work processes.
Further training
The world is changing rapidly. This makes it all the more important to stay up to date. Internal knowledge transfer is very important to us. We don’t give lectures, but enter into dialog with each other. Our aim is to ensure that our technical programs and our employees are always at the cutting edge. We invest in further training and promote attendance at specialist seminars, training courses and part-time studies. In this way, we benefit from the experience and impulses of others, i.e. from the proverbial thinking outside the box: so that we can offer you optimal and contemporary solutions in all service phases and can already anticipate and think about possible challenges.
And we also share our knowledge: The teaching assignment and a guest professorship of the SHA management at the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts as well as numerous lectures throughout Germany are examples of this.
Family
We are not only a family business, we also live this attitude – and support our employees in all situations. After all, a company is only as good as its employees, who master the small and large everyday tasks every day.
We create an environment in which, for example, individual life circumstances are taken into account with different working time models.
Home
We love the Ruhr region. As a fourth-generation Dortmund-based family business, we feel particularly committed to the location. In concrete terms, this means that from here, one of the largest conurbations in Europe, we plan buildings throughout Germany. Our clients appreciate our specialization.
And if we are not at your construction site, but you are on site with us, we will be happy to show you the charm of the Potts.
Commitment
We think outside the box and take social responsibility seriously. SHA is involved locally: The Gast-Haus, an ecumenical homeless initiative in Dortmund’s city center, has been supported by our architecture firm for many years with various construction projects and donations. We are convinced that the work of the Gast-Haus can help people in need and alleviate their suffering. We also support the local handball club OSC on its way to the league. The special thing: We are not only a proud sponsor and partner, but also know that the OSC coach is a reliable construction manager in our circle of colleagues. For us, both are a big hit.
Health
“A healthy mind lives in a healthy body.” The health of our employees is very important to us. With our own company sports group that meets weekly for running, coordination and fitness training, flexible sit-stand workstations and ergonomic computer equipment, we do a lot to promote a healthy workplace. We also enable participation in the Dortmund company runs and offer to lease an e-bike for the commute to work.
And in the office there is fresh fruit, water and coffee to grab again and again.