Breathe New Life into Historic Buildings
With Our Historic Renovation Specialists
Choose Us For Your Next Project
Transform Historic Spaces With Modern Designs and Features
A historic renovation or preservation project promises a chance to reimagine the use of a building while grounding it in a social and cultural context. Projects like these offer a chance to recycle and repurpose existing architectural elements and materials while also changing the way the space is used. This can be challenging if you’re not working with an architecture firm who has a background in the nuances and legalities of historic preservation and renovation.
Krittenbrink Architecture has designed and delivered outstanding results on a variety of historic building renovation projects.
Our Architectural Skills Maintain the Historic Character of Your Buildings
- Our work maintains this historic character of the building while giving it a new purpose.
- Stylish and thoughtful design choices serve to enhance the appearance of the building and simultaneously highlight its unique features.
- Historic renovation and preservation projects are an excellent way to invest in a community.
- Take advantage of our architectural and interior design skills to transform historic spaces and places.
- Maintain the character-defining features of the building while creating functional and engaging interior spaces.
Historical
McSwain Theatre
Ada, Oklahoma
Challenges
An 11,800-square-foot structure originally built in 1920 as a home for silent films and vaudeville acts in Ada, Okla. Purchased by the Chickasaw Nation in 2002.
Upgrade and restore the original structure, maintaining its historic look and nature while adding function and flexibility. Existing building was landlocked on four sides.
Solutions
Purchased an adjacent building to increase usable space. Refurbished the lobby and retail areas. Expanded the stage and seating. Installed state-of-the-art sound and lighting capabilities. Redesigned the second and third stories to house an art and receptions gallery as well as administrative offices. In the adjacent building, added concessions, restrooms, an elevator, dressing and green rooms, and prop and scene storage. Recreating an original feature, added a canopy to the front of the theater with electronic ticker tape signage.
1217 N Francis Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK
Challenges
Building was historical office building of steel, concrete and brick – very unforgiving. Previous commercial use did not lend itself to residential development. Building was dilapidated, lacking all services, and vacant. Owner wanted to refurbish building to provide urban housing alternatives for young professionals moving into neighborhood. Site offered no amenities – green space, parking – as required by City standards.
Solutions
The harsh commercial nature of the building was emphasized to create industrial one bedroom units, featuring gourmet kitchen, oversized bath and exposed structural elements. Three-story building was reconfigured to provide six one-bedroom units with single front stair access to minimize circulation. Finishes are upper end – but edgy – concrete counter tops, stained concrete floors, maple trim and cabinets, stainless steel accents. Site parking was provided at the rear of buildings so as to not disrupt the residential feel of the neighborhood along the street.
Cline Hotel
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Challenges
Cline Hotel (circa 1910) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a contributing resource to the Automobile Alley Historic District in Oklahoma City and any modifications had to meet their criteria. Originally a hotel, interior spaces needed to be reformatted to accommodate an apartment building.
Solutions
Restored the front entry, exterior facades, grand staircase and hallways, as per the U.S. Department of the Interior guidelines. Reworked hotel room layout to create an apartment building showcasing contemporary residential amenities that blend with the historic nature of the building.
Sarkey’s Foundation Corporate Office & Conference Center
Norman, Oklahoma
Challenges
Revitalize an old two-story church in east Norman requiring extensive structural, architectural and interior renovations. Previously, a day care was on the first floor (half the floor was a submerged basement), and a church was on the second floor.
Solutions
By redefining space and using glass walls and millwork, illuminated and lightened downstairs to house administrative offices. Transformed upstairs into a modern, regional conference center for nonprofits with AV equipment, meeting space, a catering kitchen, restrooms and storage. Recreated the main entry as a new two-story entrance to the conference center with elevators for accessibility.
Hadden Hall
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Challenges
Hadden Hall (circa 1910) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a contributing resource to the Automobile Alley Historic District in Oklahoma City and any modifications had to meet their criteria. Originally a hotel, interior spaces needed to be reformatted to accommodate an apartment building.
Solutions
Exterior historic elements were enhanced to provide an elegant presentation. Given the project’s past, it was important to maintain the scars from the bombing of the Murrah Building. The slightly off colored brick used to piece together the parapet was left as a reminder of the events of April 19, 1995. Restored the hallway and grand staircase. Interior spaces were reconfigured to accommodate a change in building usage from hotel to apartments.
When you work on a historic preservation project, you’re faced with the unique challenge of maintaining the original spirit of the architectural design while updating it to meet modern needs. Without the right guidance or vision, projects like these can quickly spiral out of control.
That’s why it’s important to partner with an architectural firm that has a background in historic preservation. In past projects, we’ve turned industrial and commercial spaces into stylish and comfortable new residential spaces, while also bringing them up to local and state codes and standards. We recognize that the right architectural design choices can not only preserve a building’s historic character but indeed enhance it. At Krittenbrink Architecture, our structural, architectural, and interior design choices do just that.
If you’re starting a historic preservation project, we encourage you to connect with us today to schedule a consultation.
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