RKA Victorian Village Project Wins 2020 AIA Columbus Architecture Award

RKA is excited to receive an AIA Columbus 2020 Architecture Awards Merit Award in the Small Project Category for our work on a Victorian Village Residence! Our thanks to NJW Construction and everyone else who worked hard to make this project a reality. 

You can read more about the awards on the AIA Columbus Website: https://www.aiacolumbus.org/2020-architecture-award-winners/

Or in the Columbus Dispatch: https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2020/11/12/columbus-architects-honored-annual-aia-awards/6238772002/ 

 And Business First: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/11/13/aia-awards-best-in-class-design-from-columbus.html

RKA Leads 'Circus House' Restoration

RKA is excited to help lead the restoration and renovation of Columbus' historic 'Circus House' in Victorian Village! The ‘Circus House’ was designed by renowned architect Frank Packard in 1894 for circus magnate Peter Sells and his family. Over the last 125 years, the building has been home to many families, a lodge, and a daycare, and now will be restored to a single-family residence (Photos illustrate the existing conditions).

RKA is working with the new owners and a talented team of workers to ensure that the residence is restored in an appropriate manner to match its former prominence and craftsmanship. RKA presented preliminary plans for the proposed renovation to the Victorian Village Commission and received approval for the project. Our team looks forward to continuing our work on the restoration of this iconic Columbus historic landmark.

You can read more about the project and the house at the Columbus Dispatch Here:

https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2020/10/20/circus-house-left-mess-without-plumbing-electricity/5972323002/

Jewel Box Glitters Once Again

The exterior of the iconic Louis Sullivan Bank of Newark has been beautifully restored to its original glory.  Designed in 1914 by noted American Architect Louis Sullivan as one of eight “jewel box” banks, the building suffered through decades of neglect, vacancy, and unsympathetic alterations including the removal of the corner of the main entry and loss of many original terra cotta units.  With its current owner, the Licking County Foundation, Rogers Krajnak Architects, Danis Construction, Conrad Schmitt Studios, and Lang Masonry, have painstakingly restored the exterior of the building.  New terra cotta units were created and installed where the original terra cotta units were damaged or missing.  The missing pieces of the intricate glass and gold mosaics were recreated, and the mosaics were cleaned.  The original opalescent glass and zinc came windows were repaired, and new doors were created.  The building is now illuminated at night and stands proudly on its prominent corner near the county courthouse.  We celebrate the completion of the exterior renovation and look forward to the next phase of the project which will include the interior restoration of this magnificent building.

Victorian Village Private Residence Completed

The RKA team is proud of the work that went into this recently completed residential project in the heart of Victorian Village. This complex project includes the restoration and renovation of an 1880’s Victorian Vernacular style home, a 2 ½ story addition, a new detached garage, and a redesigned site. The design solutions, and resulting details, celebrate the contrast between historic and modern, and emphasize the differences, and relationships, between new and old elements.

Christian Life Church of Westerville Groundbreaking

RKA was pleased to participate in the groundbreaking for the classroom addition for the Christian Life Church of Westerville! We were excited to lead the design of this growing church's addition and renovation project, and are looking forward to completing the construction later this year.