The Sullivan Building Restoration is Complete

The decade-long restoration of Louis Sullivan’s “jewel box” bank building in downtown Newark, Ohio is now complete. Originally opened in 1915 as the Home Building Association Company bank, the building will now be home to Explore Licking County and will serve as a vibrant hub for tourism and community gatherings. RKA is extremely proud to have led an amazing Project Team in the restoration of this national treasure. Much more information about The Sullivan Building is available in the following links to RKA’s website.

The Sullivan Building History and Restoration Study: https://www.rogerskrajnak.com/community/2015/001-Louis-Sullivan-Buildng-of-Newark.htm

The Sullivan Building Exterior Restoration: https://www.rogerskrajnak.com/community/2025/002-Louis-Sullivan-Buildng-of-Newark.htm

The Sullivan Building Interior Restoration and Annex: https://www.rogerskrajnak.com/community/2025/003-Louis-Sullivan-Buildng-of-Newark.htm

Sullivan Building Rededication

Approximately 110 years after the original dedication of Louis Sullivan’s Home Building Association Company bank in downtown Newark Ohio, the community gathered again to celebrate the Rededication of this iconic building after extensive restoration, and the addition of the adjacent Annex.  RKA was honored to lead a Project Team of highly skilled designers, engineers, contractors, and craftspeople in a ten-year, multi-phased project.  The building re-opened as the home of Explore Licking County, a vibrant hub for tourism and visitors, and a community gathering place.  The RKA Team was thrilled to be in attendance with other Project Team members, dignitaries, and community supporters of this special project.   

Licking County Courthouse West Courtroom Restoration Rededication

 Along with the Licking County Commissioners, Judges, Courthouse Staff, Community Leaders, Artisans, and Contractors, Rogers Krajnak Architects recently celebrated the Restoration Rededication of the historic West Courtroom in the 1876 Licking County Courthouse.  We were honored to lead the team that restored the murals, sculptures, bas reliefs, stained glass, cast plaster, and scagliola in this magnificent room. The Project also included new lighting, new floor finishes, restoration of furnishings and Judge’s Bench, and audio-visual technology.

To learn more about the study that lead to this project, click on the following link:

https://www.rogerskrajnak.com/community/2015/002-Licking-County-Courthouse.htm

Construction Underway at RKA Richland County Project

Construction has commenced on the Fleming Falls Preserve Observation Deck project in Mansfield, Ohio. This project will honor the history of the site, especially the legacy and memories of Camp Mowana, while also serving as welcoming gateway to this Richland County Park District nature preserve.

Courtroom Restoration Mock-ups

 Progress is underway on the creation of a full-scale mock-up of the proposed decorative finishes concept for the interior restoration of the Historic West Courtroom in the Licking County Courthouse.  Our Design Team studied options for the illumination of the interior dome including on-site mockups with a variety of proposed lighting fixtures.

Check out more on our website: https://www.rogerskrajnak.com/community/2015/002-Licking-County-Courthouse.htm

Licking County Courthouse - West Courtroom Restoration

The Licking County Commissioners have retained Rogers Krajnak Architects for the design of the restoration of the West Courtroom in the Historic 1876 Licking County Courthouse in Newark, Ohio.  The project will include plaster repair, restoration of the murals, scagliola, historic light fixtures, finishes and furnishings, updates to the Judge’s chambers, and the integration of new lighting, AV, and HVAC systems.  RKA completed an initial Study for this restoration project in 2016.

 

Ohio Theatre Project Wins 2022 AIA Columbus Architecture Award

RKA received a Merit Award for Architectural Detail from the Columbus chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Columbus) for the Ohio Theatre Loge, Mezzanine, and Balcony Renovation Project! CAPA is pleased with the improvements that enhanced patron comfort and mobility throughout the renovated Loge, Mezzanine, and Balcony.

From the jury:

“The jury commends this design team for thoughtfully restoring the Ohio Theatre. Its contemporary use of material and the fabrication method deployed produced a harmonious intervention. In addition to its careful documentation and changes to improve aisles and uneven floor conditions, the handrail additions are particularly noteworthy. The theater originally utilized cast metal elements with great depth and richness, which is not economically viable today. As a creative alternative, the design team produced new rails through the innovative use of flat steel plates, cut and assembled in a manner that yields a surprisingly three-dimensional illusion. Of particular note, at the cross-aisle guardrails, the turning of the elements at a 45-degree angle creates a striking sense of depth and solidity. This is a good example of a project designing with an economy of means and a clever use of cost-effective modern steel construction technology that respects and pays homage to the aesthetics of a bygone era.”

Check out more about this project at the Rogers Krajnak Website:
https://rogerskrajnak.com/community/2013/001-CAPA-Ohio-Theatre-Loge-Renovation.htm

Additional images and drawings are featured at this link from the AIA Columbus Awards website:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127125088@N05/sets/72177720302475702/

Award-Winning Ohio Theatre Renovation Project

Rogers Krajnak Architects (RKA) congratulates Construction Systems Inc. (CSI) for receiving the 2021 Build Ohio Award from the Associated General Contractors of Ohio for the Ohio Theatre Loge, Mezzanine and Balcony Renovation.  Established in 1991, the Build Ohio Award recognizes contractors for construction excellence in project management, client service, craftsmanship, innovation in construction techniques and materials.  The complexity of this RKA designed project involved reshaping the curved, sloped, and uneven rows in the Loge seating areas and cross aisles, relocating stepped aisles, and installing custom fabricated handrails and seating in a limited window of time while the theatre was unoccupied.  Along with the new custom fabricated handholds that were installed in the stepped aisles of the Mezzanine and Balcony, the project improved patron safety in all of these seating areas of this historic theatre.  RKA applauds the great teamwork with RKA, CSI and CAPA!

See more about this project on our website here:
https://www.rogerskrajnak.com/community/2013/001-CAPA-Ohio-Theatre-Loge-Renovation.htm

Ohio Theatre Renovation

 RKA celebrates with the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) the successful completion of the renovation of the Loge, Mezzanine, and Balcony seating areas in the historic Ohio Theatre. The goal of the renovation project was to improve patron safety and comfort while maintaining the architectural, acoustical, and theatrical integrity of the landmark theatre.  RKA studied various options for revisions to the cross aisles, stepped aisles, and the seating configuration in the Loge, and the installation of custom designed handrails, guardrails, and hand holds in the Loge, Mezzanine and Balcony. Utilizing 3D computer modeling, RKA modeled all of the new handrails, guardrails and hand holds and confirmed that the sightlines in the theatre are maintained. 

By abstracting the profiles of various components of the theatre’s original railings, RKA created new custom designed steel handrails, guardrails and hand holds which were fabricated with steel plates to create a modern, code compliant, and economical solution. Modifications were made to the sloped and warped concrete flooring areas and new carpeting was installed.  In addition to the improved safety for theatre patrons, the project resulted in the addition of ten new seats in the center of the Loge.  Thanks to Construction Systems, Inc. and CAPA for another great collaboration on this successful project.

 

Construction continuing on Project in the historic Ohio Theatre.

Construction is continuing on the Project in the historic Ohio Theatre.

Construction is underway to rework the cross aisles, step aisles and the seating configuration in the Loge, and install custom designed handrails, guardrails and hand holds in the Loge, Mezzanine and Balcony. The Project will improve patron safety and comfort in the Loge, Mezzanine and Balcony while maintaining the architectural, acoustical and theatrical integrity of the landmark theatre.

Construction begins on the Louis Sullivan Building of Newark

Construction has begun and is in full swing on the Louis Sullivan Building of Newark. Scaffolding has been erected and mockups for terra cotta cleaning have been started, and are showing clear results. RKA is excited to be part of this amazing project!

2018 James B. Recchie Award Finalist

RKA’s Lifeline of Ohio Donor Memorial is a finalist for the 2018 James B. Recchie Design Award. This award honors excellence in urban design reflected in historic and new buildings and places, additions to existing buildings, parks, public spaces and public art. The award celebrates projects that add to the distinctive character and improved quality of life in Columbus and the designers responsible for them.

Check it out on the Columbus Landmarks Foundation website:

http://www.columbuslandmarks.org/james-recchie-design-award/

RKA Assists Save The Crew!

RKA Principal Darryl Rogers has been a Columbus Crew SC loyal supporter and season ticket member since 1996, the year the club was founded. Columbus was the first team in the inaugural season of Major League Soccer. In late 2017 the investor/operator of the club announced he was exploring the option to relocate the club, unless a downtown Columbus stadium could be created for the team.

The Save The Crew movement began at that moment, consisting of a group of fans and supporters who have come together to make sure The Crew stays in Columbus. The Save The Crew message has resonated around the world. Leaders from Save The Crew (STC) asked RKA (a Save The Crew Business Ally) to assist with creating a stadium design vision for a specific site on West Nationwide Boulevard. Under a tight timeframe, RKA refined, added detail and integrated uniquely Columbus features into a conceptual design initially created by STC volunteers.

The RKA Team was proud to be present last night with STC as the new stadium design was unveiled at Seventh Son Brewery. STC also announced that they have received over 10,000 pledges for 2019 season tickets if a new, local investor/operator is permitted to take over the club. The stadium concept was released to show that Columbus does have a downtown site, the site works well, and we are ready to move forward. Potential local investor/operators are currently unable to release their own stadium visions due to non-disclosure agreements associated with a lawsuit the city and state have filed. 

Check out Save The Crew at their website: https://savethecrew.com/

Peter Krajnak joins Board of Columbus Landmarks

Peter Krajnak has recently been elected to the Columbus Landmarks Board of Trustees.  Columbus Landmarks is a dedicated group advocating for the preservation of historic architecture, adaptive reuse of old buildings, and new design excellence throughout Greater Columbus.  Peter encourages others to get involved by participating in the CityWalks, Art Walks & Landmark Talks or becoming a member.  More information is available at http://www.columbuslandmarks.org/.

See the Louis Sullivan Building of Newark featured on WOSU now

Rogers Krajnak Architects’ project, The Louis Sullivan Building of Newark, was featured in WOSU-TV’s program “Columbus Neighborhoods!”

Check out the feature on youtube:

 

The Louis Sullivan Building of Newark Featured on WOSU

Rogers Krajnak Architects’ project, The Louis Sullivan Building of Newark, will be featured at 8:30 pm on Thursday 03.22.18 in WOSU-TV’s program “Columbus Neighborhoods”.  Tune in Thursday evening or on Sunday at noon!

The Art of Louis Sullivan

As Rogers Krajnak Architects progresses with the preparation of the Construction Documents for the adaptive reuse of one of Sullivan’s Jewel Box Banks, the Louis Sullivan Building of Newark project continues to get more publicity including this article in Hyperallergic – a New York based forum for serious, playful, and radical thinking about art in the world today.

Read the Full Article Here.

Resurrected

RKA is featured in the December 2017 issue of Columbus CEO article about “Old churches find new uses in creative renovations”.  The following is excerpted from that article:

The sheer size of some sanctuaries can make them difficult to repurpose, says Peter Krajnak of the Rogers Krajnak Architects Inc. firm in Downtown Columbus. “The key is to find the right scale for the potential future use,” says Krajnak, a specialist in the design, expansion and renovation of churches. “So many spaces are so cavernous they become difficult to illuminate and to provide proper climate control.” That can make redeveloping a property for residential particularly difficult and expensive.

Krajnak said sanctuaries also are designed to carry sound well. “To create a quiet space can be a challenge,” he says.

Krajnak will not have to figure out how to mitigate that aspect of the sanctuary of the Central Presbyterian Church at 132 S. Third St. as a consultant to performance arts venue operator CAPA. The nonprofit bought the property for $589,000 in June 2013 as a future concert hall.

CAPA, the owner/operator of the venerable Palace Theatre and Ohio Theatre Downtown, bought the property about 19 months after the congregation ceased worshipping in the building, the original use dating back to 1857.

CAPA CEO Chad Whittington says the arts organization has yet to ask designers to put together a detailed plan for the property as it first concentrates on fundraising for the 2018 renovation projects at the Ohio and Palace. “It’s important to have a good plan in place,” Whittington says, comparing the venue to the Southern Theatre restoration and renovation completed in the late 1990s.


The former church will, after eventual renovations, have seating for up to 400. “The structure itself is set up very well for how we operate in the performing arts arena,” Whittington says. “We can take the hall (sanctuary) and freshen it up for use in smaller concerts and recitals.”