MSA was founded in 1985, and specializes in 4 disciplines; Architecture, Interior Design, Graphic Design, and Historic Preservation. Check out some answers for the most frequently asked questions about our services and more.

What are our full scope of services?

MSA Design provides Architecture, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Historic Preservation, and Master Planning services. To view our work, click here.

What is the difference between MSA Design and MSA Sport?

MSA Design is the umbrella company for our various disciplines including Education, Civic, and more. Our “MSA Sport” studio projects are related to sports in the professional, collegiate, municipal, institutional, and community sectors. Examples of these projects involve design of stadiums, arenas, recreation centers, training and performing facilities, parks, and recreation areas, aquatic centers, and athletic master planning. To learn more about MSA Sport, click here.

What regions do you cover?

We currently have projects in nine states and are licensed to work in all US States and Canadian Provinces. We currently have active projects outside of OKI in Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, California, and more.

How can I schedule a consultation? You can contact our toll-free main number at 855.241.5666 and request to speak with Charley Wayman, our Director of Marketing, or send an email to marketing@msaarch.com and Charley will coordinate a time for you to meet with the appropriate team members to assess your needs.

What is the initial meeting and consultation like?

We believe that every design project starts with a conversation. In this initial meeting, we would discuss the goals, desires, and requirements for the project, including any potential timeline and budget requirements. This meeting would typically involve a key leader within the specific project area who can provide guidance and feedback to determine the best next steps in the process. After this initial conversation, we will create a proposal for a scope of work that is tailored to meet the client’s needs and can be adjusted as needed.

I want to work at MSA! How do I inquire for internship/co-op/job opportunity?

Please send a letter of interest, along with your resume and portfolio or work samples, to hr@msaarch.com in PDF or electronic link form. We will review your qualifications to determine if they align with any current or future staffing needs across all our offices.

What scale projects does MSA specialize in?

We are a full-service professional services firm with 37 years of experience in the industry. We are nationally ranked as the 12th largest sports design firm working on projects for teams like Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Daytona Tortugas, Miami Marlins, and more. Although we are an award-winning design firm, we are happy to provide full design services from small to large-scale scopes of work.

What do I need to know about construction and builders’ cost?

The cost of a project is influenced by various factors such as the size and scope of the work, the location of the site, and market conditions. Generally, construction cost makes up 70-75% of the total project cost budget, with the remaining portion made up of other expenses. Property acquisition and real estate fees are not included in these budgets. As a firm that focuses on design, we do not actually build the project and ultimately partner with contractors or outside third-party estimating consultants to help develop project budgets for clients.

How long does it take to complete architectural drawings and design?

The “design duration” of a project can range from a few weeks to several months. For example, the design drawings for a small interior renovation of an existing building might take 4-6 weeks to complete, while a large multi-phase project on a college campus could take up to 16 months to finish the drawings across multiple phases. Our team has the expertise and experience to handle both short design schedules for quick turnaround projects, as well as longer timelines for large-scale projects.

Will you handle permits and other regulatory affairs?

Yes, we work with local, regional, and national regulatory agencies to shepherd our projects through the zoning and building permit process.

Is your firm an EDGE certified company?

“EDGE Certified” is a classification in Ohio for professional services firms that are owned by historically disadvantaged demographic groups based on ethnicity, gender, or the economic status of the headquarters office region within the state. Although our ownership group does not meet these requirements, it is important to MSA Design to assemble project consultant teams that include subconsultants who are owned and staffed by historically disadvantaged groups. We are also intentionally focused on hiring diverse design talent that reflects the culture of our cities and regions.