The Knowledge Behind Every Recommendation

Kelsey Munson on Aug 18, 2026

Beautiful homes begin with great design, but they're built on thousands of decisions that homeowners may never see. From the windows that frame a view to the materials that withstand decades of Midwest weather, every product an architect specifies plays a role in how a home performs over time.

That's why the architects at BBA believe their job extends well beyond creating thoughtful floor plans and beautiful elevations. They make it a priority to stay current on the products, materials and technologies shaping residential design, ensuring every recommendation is backed by firsthand knowledge as well as years of experience.

Recently, BBA Principal Gary Beyerl and Project Leader Nick Moorhouse had the opportunity to visit Marvin's headquarters in Warroad, Minnesota, as part of an educational tour hosted by Assured Corporation President Mark Sala and Sales Manager Nick Wnenk, BBA's Marvin dealer partner. Alongside other design professionals, they toured the company's manufacturing facilities, explored its newest product innovations and gained an inside look at how one of the industry's leading window manufacturers designs, builds and tests its products.

For Gary, the value of the trip extended far beyond seeing a familiar product in person. While regular in-office presentations to the BBA team provide a helpful overview, spending several days inside a manufacturer's facilities offers a much deeper understanding of how products are developed, built and continually improved.

"It's fundamental to continue to grow and learn," Gary said. "You gain an appreciation for a specific product when you visit a manufacturer's facility, but more importantly, it's part of continually staying current and building expertise. That's something we prioritize across our firm."

One of the biggest benefits was seeing Marvin's full range of window systems side by side. While architects understand the technical differences between product lines, experiencing them firsthand provides valuable context for when each is most appropriate, from historic renovations requiring traditional detailing to contemporary homes featuring expansive glass and custom openings.

The manufacturing tour also revealed something they didn't expect: despite the sophisticated automation used throughout the facility, craftsmanship remains at the heart of the process.

"It gave me a greater appreciation for the craftsmanship behind every window," Nick said. "It's not just machines producing these products. You still see people carefully handcrafting specialty windows using techniques that have been around for generations."

Gary was equally struck by the opportunity to watch that craftsmanship unfold from start to finish.

"You see a piece of wood transformed into its final shape, then watch craftspeople assemble that window from individual components," he said.

"You understand the amount of skill and labor involved in a way that photographs or a presentation simply can't capture."

That combination of heritage and innovation was a recurring theme throughout the visit. Gary and Nick saw advanced scanning technology that evaluates lumber for quality with remarkable precision, automated systems that improve consistency and efficiency, and emerging features like integrated motorized shades and rain-sensing windows that automatically close when weather moves in.

At the same time, they watched craftspeople steam-bend wood, assemble custom curved windows by hand and build specialty units using techniques that simply can't be replicated by automation alone.

"It was fascinating to see the full evolution of the company," Nick said. "You could trace its history from traditional hand craftsmanship all the way to the latest manufacturing technology. It really reinforced that innovation isn't about replacing craftsmanship, it's about building on it."

Beyond the factory floor, the group also met with Marvin's research and development team, gaining insight into the material science, testing and engineering behind the products they specify every day.

"You don't get that level of insight during a typical presentation," Gary said. "Talking directly with the people developing new materials and solving manufacturing challenges gave us a much deeper appreciation for the research behind the products we recommend."

For homeowners, that knowledge translates into better guidance throughout the design process. While appearance is often the first consideration, BBA helps clients evaluate products based on long-term performance, durability, engineering capabilities and overall value.

Having seen the manufacturing process firsthand gives the firm's architects additional confidence when explaining not just what a product looks like, but how it's built, how it performs and why it may be the right fit for a particular home.

"You can find products that will do the job," Gary said. "But when you're designing highly customized homes, you need products that can support those design goals with consistency and precision. Understanding how those products are engineered gives us greater confidence in the recommendations we make."

Like many custom residential projects, selecting the right window package is a collaborative effort between the architect, manufacturer and trusted local supplier. BBA has worked with Assured for many years because of the company's expertise with complex residential projects and its ability to guide highly customized product selections.

"They focus on higher-end products and provide the level of service needed to manage sophisticated window packages," Gary said. "That expertise makes them an important partner throughout the design process."
That's especially important as building products continue to evolve. New technologies, expanded customization options and changing performance standards mean architects can't rely solely on what they learned years ago.

Whether visiting manufacturers, participating in continuing education or building strong relationships with knowledgeable industry partners, BBA views ongoing education as an essential part of serving its clients.

"This trip is one example of how we approach learning," Gary said. "We invest in continuing education across the firm because products, technologies and building methods are always evolving. The more we understand them, the better guidance we can provide our clients."