In 2027, NWL (Naylor Wentworth Lund) Architects will celebrate its 75th anniversary — a rare milestone that places the firm among Utah’s longest-standing architectural agencies. The firm originated in 1952 with founder Roy Richards Silver, whose initial focus was designing small rural elementary schools. His partnership with architect Dale Allsop strengthened the firm’s foothold in educational design early on. Everything changed when a young architect named Ken Naylor joined the team. As Naylor recalled in his AIA Legends interview: “I got a call from Roy Silver … he convinced me I didn’t want to be in the development world but needed to come work for him. There were maybe eight of us, including the two partners. I embraced Roy’s business philosophy: Pay people what they need to survive, and at the end of the year, give them a bonus beyond their expectations. That became a tenet of my practice throughout my career. In the mid-80s, Roy retired, and I continued the firm.” The firm’s identity was shaped in these early years to be steady, relationship-driven and grounded in trust. Christopher Lund A Firm Built on Relationships NWL’s current president, Chris Lund, AIA, describes Naylor as “a road warrior” who traveled the state cultivating relationships with school districts. Under the mentorship of Nebo School District Superintendent Joe Reedhead, Naylor began designing schools not for architectural self-expression, but for what districts actually needed. The result was a steady, organic expansion. By the 1990s, school districts were seeking out NWL, rather than the other way around. The firm gained recognition for its cost-efficient tilt-up concrete systems, which provided an economical and durable solution for public education facilities. Eventually, NWL worked with roughly 80% of Utah’s school districts, as well as clients throughout Idaho and Wyoming. During this period, Naylor recruited Ross Wentworth, who was then working at Granite School District. Wentworth brought invaluable insight into client expectations, strengthening NWL’s client-centered approach. “We still approach our work with the same philosophy,” Lund says. “Clients first. Always.” Eric Madsen Growth Through Mentorship and Opportunity Eric Madsen, AIA, a partner at NWL, believes much of the firm’s long-term stability stems from serving institutional clients and investing in long-standing relationships. “I remember doing interviews when I was a young architect and being scared to death, but we had to sink or swim,” he recalls. “We made a conscious effort to invite younger professionals to have those learning experiences. Watching them learn the process — including the struggles — strengthened the firm.” Chris Lund joined the firm in 1995 as its 17th employee. Over the next three decades, NWL grew gradually, one or two people at a time, until it experienced a major expansion between 2015 and 2019, driven by large school projects and three significant temples for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Today, the firm employs approximately 70 people. Learning From Global Work NWL’s relationship with the LDS Church began in 2003 with the Western Samoa Temple. Over the next 22 years, the firm worked internationally on temple projects in dozens of countries. “You can’t have an ego with this client,” says Madsen. “You have to adapt. They are incredibly knowledgeable about construction across the world.” When the LDS Church shifted to working more with local international firms, NWL pivoted, forming strategic global partnerships rather than stepping away from international work. The firm now operates in a partnership with Portuguese firm LAT41, expanding into sectors such as healthcare, commercial and retail facilities. “Working internationally taught us not to impose American standards on foreign markets,” says Lund. “Flexibility is essential.” To date, NWL has worked across six continents and in 28 countries, building friendships, learning diverse techniques and strengthening its design versatility. A Mid-Sized Firm With a Small-Firm Ethos Despite growth, both Lund and Madsen insist that NWL still feels like a smaller firm culturally. The firm strives to maintain a positive work environment while prioritizing collaboration and looking out for its team members. NWL Architects A 75-Year Legacy of Relationships, Resilience and Design 16 REFLEXION
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