Small
architecture firm
not afraid of
big local projects
Jeffrey Blackwell
Democrat and Chronicle
(March 18, 2002) — Architectura is proof that little architecture firms
can do big things, too.
Entrenched in Rochester's small artist colony near Village Gate, the firm
is taking on a deep range of projects from custom houses to office
buildings.
The past two years have been prosperous for the company. The $12 million
American Red Cross blood laboratory in Henrietta and the first-floor
renovation of Monroe Community Hospital are two projects the firm added to
its resume.
"The last two years we have been the busiest we have ever been," said
partner Jennifer Takatch.
"And I think what we learned from that time period is that when you take
something on you have to be able to handle it."
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The staff at Architectura numbers nine, including its partners, Takatch
and Scott Powell. There are four architects, including the two partners
and Takatch's husband, Stephen. The largest local firms have 20.
But the size of the 14-year-old firm does not dissuade it from taking on
large projects. The Red Cross facility, for example, totaled 120,000
square feet. The hospital renovation was a complicated project that
included uncovering the original details of a 70-year-old building
obscured by prior renovations. The company also worked on the renovation
of the Geva Theatre.
"At a large firm, anytime that you got involved in a large,
multimillion-dollar project, the design team is usually no bigger than
five or six people," said Stephen Takatch, 43, who is also president of
the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
"It's just that a larger firm can do multiple jobs," Jennifer Takatch
said.
There is no particular style attached to Architectura, according to the
partners. However, Jennifer Takatch, 39, is a partisan of contemporary
design and works to include elements of modern materials and ideas in the
firm's projects.
The firm's philosophy is simple: "I think it is to do good design and to
have clients that appreciate that and respect good design," she said.
The firm's house designs have included environmentally friendly materials
and reusable energies. The design for the hospital renovation incorporated
themes from the garden and building exterior in the design of the "garden
lobby" inside.
"We are trying to get people to feel like they are outside," Jennifer
Takatch said. "Many of the residents will come down and exercise by
actually walking along the wall with their hands and their wheelchairs.
The first floor is very social."
Architectura also designed a 35,000-square-foot addition to Pearce
Memorial Free Methodist Church in Chili, which has a Sunday service
attendance of about 1,000. The addition featured a grand atrium with a
vaulted ceiling.
The project included the construction of a building that houses two
basketball courts and several classrooms. It was opened last fall after
two years of planning and construction.
"One of the things for us as a church that was important is that they did
understand church," said Kathryn Martin. "They understood the very
specific needs of a church facility."
Jennifer Takatch said client satisfaction is an important reward she
extracts from the business.
"The biggest thrill, I think, is to see a client experience their space
and have them say that it surpasses what they ever imagined," she said.
"That's exciting to hear because we do bring another dimension to a lot of
folks' lives."
Husband and wife also enjoy working in the same office. The Takatches met
in college and were married in 1987. Stephen Takatch joined the firm five
years ago.
"We got married to be together, not be apart," he said.
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