Ohio Theatre Orchestra Shell Redecoration

RKA is pleased to be working with CAPA and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra on refreshing the Orchestra Shell at the Ohio Theatre.  Martin Painting & Coating and Franklin Imaging are implementing RKA’s updated graphic design which was inspired by ornamental plaster elements in the Ohio Theatre. While the front of these massive movable tower units are redecorated, various support mechanisms on the back of these units have been reinforced.

For more information: https://rogerskrajnak.com/community/2026/001-CAPA-Ohio-Theatre-Orchestra-Shell-Redecoration.htm#n

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

Progress on Louis Sullivan Bank Project

 RKA’s Project for the restoration of Louis Sullivan’s historic “Jewel Box” bank building in Newark Ohio is featured in this article in The Architect’s Newspaper.  With the exterior restoration already completed, the interior restoration is underway.

To read more about this news article and the project. Click on the following links below:

News Article: Rogers Krajnak Architects to restore interiors and murals in bank by Louis Sullivan in Ohio (archpaper.com)

Project: Louis Sullivan Building in Newark

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.

 

Daniel P. DeGreve joins City of Mansfield Historic Preservation Commission

Daniel P. DeGreve, RKA Project Manager, has been appointed by the Office of the Mayor of Mansfield, Ohio to complete a two-year term on the City of Mansfield Historic Preservation Commission. With his expertise in historical architecture and traditional design, Daniel looks forward to serving his hometown community of Mansfield, Ohio by reviewing projects involving historical properties within the city’s several designated historic districts.

RKA Designs Fleming Falls Preserve - Observation Deck

RKA is pleased to be the architect for the Fleming Falls Preserve-Observation Deck at the former Camp Mowana site in Mansfield. Unfortunately the camp recently closed, but now this beautiful site will become a nature preserve. RKA is working with a dedicated group of former Camp Mowana staff members, and Richland County Park District, to create a lasting tribute to the Oneida Lodge, originally known as the Fleming Inn. The RKA design will re-create the lodge veranda, tell the story of the rich history of the site and Camp Mowana, and serve as a gateway into the nature preserve.

Louis Sullivan Building of Newark

Darryl Rogers and Peter Krajnak are featured in this video about the Louis Sullivan Building of Newark, a Rogers Krajnak Architects project that will rehabilitate this national landmark building.   The video was presented at the 2016 IMPACT Awards ceremony, where Explore Licking County recognized and celebrated tourism partners that make an impact on tourism in Licking County, Ohio.

Licking County Courthouse Restoration of West Courtroom

Rogers Krajnak Architects has completed the study for the restoration of the West Courtroom in the historic Licking County Courthouse which was originally constructed in 1876.  RKA lead a team of specialists including Conrad Schmitt Studios and CS Construction in analyzing the existing conditions, and determining the process and cost estimate for cleaning, conserving or restoring the murals, bas reliefs, busts, plaster ornamentation, faux finishes and stained glass.  The original beauty of the room has been obscured by over a century of dirt and grime building up on the interior of the ornate courtroom.  Through a process of careful exposures and core samples, the team discovered that the original finishes of the room included warmer colors, glazing and gold detailing.  These images show various exposures of original finishes and a rendering of the proposed restored courtroom.

RKA begins study for restoration in Licking County Courthouse

Originally constructed in 1876, the courtroom sustained damage from a fire in 1879 and was renovated in 1890 and again in 1905.  The original beauty of the room has been obscured by over a century of dirt and grime building up on the murals, bas reliefs, busts, plaster ornamentation, faux finishes and stained glass.  RKA is leading a team of specialists including Conrad Schmitt Studios in analyzing the existing conditions, and determining the process and cost estimate for cleaning, conserving or restoring the interior of the courtroom.  The Newark Advocate recently published an article about the project available with this link.

Licking County Foundation Selects Rogers Krajnak Architects to Lead Re-Birth and Renovation of Louis Sullivan Landmark

Rogers Krajnak Architects was commissioned to create a Physical Assessment, Preservation Plan and Discovery Process in order to stabilize the building and determine potential future uses of The Louis Sullivan Building in Newark, Ohio. This national treasure was designed by noted American architect, Louis Sullivan. Constructed in 1915, the building is one of eight “Jewel Box” community banks designed by Sullivan. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and features ornate terra cotta detail, intricate mosaics and painted geometric murals. The building, which previously served as a bank, a butcher shop, a jewelry store, an architect’s office, an apartment and an ice cream parlor, is poised to once again serve the community of Newark, Ohio.

For more information, visit the project page >> 
 

RKA Designs new Orchestra Shell for the Ohio Theatre

CAPA commissioned Rogers Krajnak Architects to design the new orchestra shell for the Ohio Theatre.  “Our goal was to provide a shell that would deliver superior acoustics to both musicians and audiences while reflecting the stunning décor of the Ohio Theatre,” stated CAPA President and CEO Bill Conner. “The end result far exceeds our expectations in functionality, beauty, and acoustics, and was well worth the time and investment.”

The new shell is an interconnected system of movable ceiling panels with ribs and lightweight towers with shelves. Together with the forestage reflector (the eyebrow that extends beyond the proscenium arch), these components provide strategic reflections of sound back to the musicians on stage and into the audience in the hall.  The arrangement of the towers and two rows of horizontal acoustical shelves allow the shell to be tuned to best fit the number of musicians on stage and the works being performed.

Aesthetically, the shell was designed to be in harmony with the opulent interior of the Ohio Theatre.  After studying the elaborate three dimensional ornamentation of the 1928 Baroque-style Ohio Theatre, Rogers Krajnak Architects created the two dimensional decoration that was meticulously applied to the shell.  Much of the shell’s adornment was abstracted from the theatre’s wainscoting, cast plaster ornamentation and gilded coves.  The gold stars on the forestage reflector, ceiling panels and towers were abstracted from the ceiling of the theater to continue the visual grandeur onto the stage.