Architectural firm in Phoenix builds international reputation. (Shepherd Nelson & Wheeler)

Architectural firm in Phoenix builds international reputation

With the slowdown in construction throughout Arizona, the Phoenix office of Dallas-based architect Shepherd Nelsen & Wheeler had to dig deep down under for new business, and the search has taken the firm all the way to Australia.

Last month, SN&W's Phoenix office was awarded the contract to design a $131 million office highrise in Brisbane, Australia. The 44-story, 600,000-square-foot tower, called Brisbane 2000, will be the fifth office structure SN&W has designed in Australia. One of the other Australian office buildings the firm designed is the $200 million Collins Exchange, an …