Choose Us For Your Next Project
Preserve, Enhance, or Design a Greek House to Meet Your Needs
We’re excited to help you create a Greek house that your chapter can be proud. A mainstay on campuses across America, the Greek house represents timeless traditions, strong communities, and lasting connections. The house itself is a key part of that experience, and its architectural design expresses the values of that individual chapter. Krittenbrink Architecture has a keen eye for the design and construction of Greek housing. We’ve worked on projects across the country.
We’re excited to help you create a Greek house that your chapter can be proud of.
Greek Living
Design a House of Which to Be Proud
Krittenbrink Architecture utilizes the skills and talents of our experienced design team.
We’ve worked on projects and campuses across the country.
We use your experiences and our skills to create buildings that capture your vision.
From architectural design to interior layouts to planning and zoning, we handle the entire process for you.
We can create additions to your existing Greek house or build a brand new house for you.
Modern Designs Paired with Timeless Principles
A building is a building is a building, sure, but the process by which that building was crafted lends it its character and feeling. In an age where function trounces form in so much of what we create, Krittenbrink Architecture strikes the delicate balance between the two in everything we do.
We approach each project as an exciting challenge, weaving our talents, experience, and passion together with all of the ideas and values you bring to the table. The result is a collaborative venture that results in a high-quality design and a building that truly needs to be seen to be believed.
We Specialize in a Variety of Architectural Styles
Offer your fraternity or sorority chapter a comfortable place to live and learn with our Greek housing architecture. Build the home of your dreams with our residential design services. Create inviting spaces for all thanks to our multi-family residential designs. Elevate your historic structures with our purposeful renovations and expansions. Draw new customers to your workplace with a fresh commercial remodel. Express the values of your community through intuitive institutional architecture.
GAMMA PHI BETA
Oklahoma State University - Stillwater, OK
Challenges:
Gamma Phi Beta had an awesome location and a house that, while dated, was well preserved and loved by alumni. But functional challenges persisted. An antiquated HVAC system worked poorly and required physical compromises in the house. Bathrooms were separated by function–shower in one room, vanities in another–and bed count was low when compared to other houses on campus.
Solutions:
Multiple designs were created until one that answered all functional, design, and financial goals. A wing was created to expand dining and create a new House Director apartment at first floor, with new bedrooms being added above. One large boutique bathroom was centrally located, and new gathering/study space filled the inner core of the building where an unused courtyard was previously. New finishes added to existing spaces brings everything together.
ALPHA XI DELTA - University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI
Challenges:
The sorority’s building was 80 years old and had suffered the ravages of time due to poor building management. Prior renovations had created multiple levels within a 3-story building that no longer made sense for communication between floors, for traffic flow, or for safety.
Solutions:
After securing approval for historical property renovation, Krittenbrink created a stair tower that united the floors, increased channels for traffic flow, and created safe exit. The firm stabilized the historic building’s exterior as well.
PHI GAMMA DELTA - University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK
Challenges:
The challenge with the former Fiji House was to create a new state-of-the-art Greek housing facility that the current expectations of the user group, that would create tax incentives for the donor, and provide exterior architecture that paid allegiance to the original Phi Gamma Delta House, while providing interiors that reflect an elegant, but masculine experience.
Solutions:
Working with photographs of the original building, we created a 30,000-square-foot fraternity house reflective of the style of the original house on Boyd Street. Details were revised to allow the use of modern maintenance-free materials when replicating old design elements. And, modern site amenities were incorporated to allow for accessibility, sports, and brotherhood.
The interior public space was designed to resemble a gentlemen's club, thorough the use of durable and timeless materials. Private rooms were treated as suites with a separation of study and sleeping areas. Additionally, rom design is diverse, offering a variety of room sizes, accommodations to a seniors wing with individual baths.
ACACIA FRATERNITY - University of Texas
Austin, TX
Challenges:
Acacia Fraternity had an enviable problem. A huge lot right across from the University of Texas was prime location, but it came with property taxes that were overwhelming. They wanted to provide a quality experience for the young men in their chapter, but the conventional approach didn’t work.
Solutions:
A long-term lease with a development company saw their property evolve into a six-story apartment building, but with 8,000 square feet carved out at the front to provide the public gathering spaces for fraternal living. A strong street presence gives enviable identification that, coupled with their location, allows Acacia to move forward on campus, but free of the obstacles often presented by housing.
BETA THETA PI - Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK
Challenges:
The Beta Theta Pi Chapter of Oklahoma State University had outgrown their beloved house. A new house was required, and this would have to reflect their heritage, while adhering to modern day standards and expectations.
Solutions:
The new Beta house reflects architecture of the former house, welcoming to the large alumni group. Eight massive symbolic columns greet you, leading you to a soaring front foyer. Large public rooms flow gracefully from one to another, and masculine interior architecture completes the vision of a modern fraternity house.
ALPHA TAU OMEGA - University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK
Challenges:
The fraternity was returning to campus after an absence. House needed to embrace the future but reflect the previous house’s unconventional Greek architecture. Lot size was limited, with a one-bed-to-one-parking-space ratio. A small building footprint required a flexible floor plan to meet in-house and out-of-house needs. A suite approach to residential rooms was desired.
Solutions:
Exterior architecture was designed to incorporate architectural elements and materials from the original ATO house. Flexible public room layout allowed smaller spaces to swell to accommodate larger membership as required. A four-man suite design delivered a private resident experience while maintaining a feeling of community. Interior materials were selected based on quality and durability.
ALPHA OMICRON PI - Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Challenges:
The site to build the sorority house was very steep. The house was also to accommodate 72 residents but provide dining for 250 members (part of the university meal-plan requirement).
Solutions:
We built up on the structure instead of out. The results in this brick Colonial-style house are stunning. The residents love the view from the dining room of the hills of Tallahassee.
PHI SIGMA KAPPA - Purdue
West Lafayette, IN
Challenges:
The Phi Sigma Kappa house located at Purdue was actually two houses located on a corner lot. The back house was a different architectural style, had different floor levels, and public rooms were small and residential in scale.
Solutions:
The new house orientation and architecture addresses both Waldron Street and 3rd Street Avenue, the latter destined for a pedestrian thoroughfare. Interior spaces open to porches on two sides and two levels offer great exposure and outdoor living. Interior spaces gracefully flow from one to another, and an interior grand stair accesses all four levels, with public lounges located on three.
ALPHA OMICRON PI - University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK
Challenges:
Former fraternity house was purchased by a sorority. House lacked elements traditionally associated with Greek housing. Two-story front room had concrete block walls and was used as a gym by the fraternity.
Solutions:
Recreated the existing space, transformed the entry into a grand hall with stairs leading to a new second floor. New upstairs featured a photo/historical gallery to encourage circulation through the space, as well as a new chapter room. Finished out the first floor with walls to create formal and informal living areas.
PHI GAMMA DELTA - Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK
Challenges:
The Phi Gamma Delta house at Oklahoma State University was stuck in a small outdated house on a small lot with a great location. The exterior architecture, like the interior was nondescript and mundane. Interior spaces were small and dark, and circulation was not code compliant.
Solutions:
The new Phi Gamma Delta house takes advantage of its location with classic, stately architecture that dominates the street. A grand welcoming foyer leads you to public spaces, gracious in size and appearance. Abundant natural light washes over the interior space; clear, simple and elegant in its appearance.
ALPHA OMICRON PI - Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK
Challenges:
AOII had not previously been on campus and was colonizing without campus experience. No alumni/donor base required an efficient, economical design, yet one that would be competitive on campus. One-bed-per-one-parking-spot requirement made lot acquisition tricky, as a certain land mass was required. This utilized a disproportionate amount of project budget. House not only needed to accommodate residents, but also all active membership for special events.
Solutions:
After several lot analyses, a parcel of land was put together that provided adequate size without oversize. Public areas were designed to flow openly from one to another, so as to allow for increased capacity where all actives were on site. The firm created a group bathroom to accommodate the budget and square-foot restrictions, as well as to meet the standards of the OSU Greek community. A large, two-story foyer with stairs allowed for a welcoming presentation during recruitment.
ALPHA GAMMA DELTA - Indiana University
Bloomington, IN
Challenges:
The house presented like a post-modern, institutional building with few amenities. There were also safety concerns with the exits.
Solutions:
Krittenbrink changed the front facade to better reflect AGD culture. The firm raised the roof, which helped traffic flow and changed the exits to the buildings, as well as added bedrooms and bathrooms. Finally, the firm expanded the dining space and added a new kitchen.
ALPHA OMICRON PI - Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
Challenges:
A limited site needed to provide adequate parking while meeting all City restrictions – green space, set back, lot coverage, etc. The house needed to express itself as traditional and accessible, while meeting the parking requirement.
Solutions:
Create a partially submerged parking structure that addresses the parking requirements of the City. Create a grade level entry that is welcoming and delivers the user to the “upper level” entry. Create exterior living space on the parking deck that replaces the loss of a yard.
LAMDA CHI ALPHA - Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK
Challenges:
The Lambda Chi Alpha house at Oklahoma State University was composed of the original wood construction sorority house and two unforgiving additions composed of concrete blocks. The result was a house with oddly located rooms of inadequate size, poor circulation and institutional aesthetics.
Solutions:
The new house features a grey stone exterior similar to the existing that distinguishes it from other fraternities on campus. A lower grade courtyard was recreated that provides private outdoor living.
The interior reflects the same distinction of the exterior, with a two-story foyer, public room, that offer a contemporary aesthetic, and public living spaces on three levels.
LAMDA CHI ALPHA - University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK
Challenges:
Historical house across from campus was landlocked, out of compliance and impractical for modern living. Interior floor plan was not up to code for fire regulations, with dead-end corridors and no direct access to stairways. Interior spaces were dated, with surface-applied conduit and cable, and interior finishes were worn.
Solutions:
Exterior architecture was refurbished; new additions were designed to blend seamlessly with existing architecture. Corridors were opened to run continuously from stair to stair, enhancing life safety. Existing rooms were repurposed with a focus on function and interior circulation/architecture.
CHI OMEGA - University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK
Challenges:
Plumbing in classic sorority house was antiquated. Restrooms were unattractive, dysfunctional and inadequate for members and guests. Ceilings were low. Transitions at threshold were awkward. House lacked any space to expand.
Solutions:
New systems were installed to allow lowering of floors and raising of ceilings. Plumbing was reconfigured to improve traffic flow. New millwork allowed separation of functions; i.e., makeup tables versus vanities with sinks. All finishes – tile, vanity tops, storage units – were replaced and modernized. Lighting was replaced with more attractive, functional and energy-efficient fixtures.
KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA - University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK
Challenges:
The Kappa Kappa Gamma House had an enviable problem in that they had not enough space – public and private- to accommodate their membership. Public spaces were too small and only located on their first floor. Bathrooms were outdated, bedrooms were crowded with no storage, and interior architecture lacked drama.
Solutions:
Additions were made to each end of the building to create new bedroom bathroom and study opportunities. Interior space was repurposed to provide new public space at upper floors, new bathrooms and a new circulation system to allow front foyer to expand out and up adding a dramatic first impression to the house.
KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA HALL - University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK
Challenges:
No meeting space in the existing sorority house, limited opportunities for expansion on the existing site. Important to maintain integrity of the original architecture.
Solutions:
Constructed a new 3,600-square-foot meeting center adjacent to the existing house with a meeting hall, large restrooms and catering facilities. Interior and exterior were designed to complement the look and style of the main house.
ALPHA EPSILON PHI - University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
Challenges:
Creating a design that brought together two different buildings built in two different styles. Upgrading a century old house to meet current day requirements for accessibility and emergency egress, while giving the interior a much-needed update for finishes and functionality.
Solutions:
The exterior of both buildings was updated with similar finishes and landscaping. Egress was created with a bridge between the two buildings to help bring it to a safe, and code compliant, building for emergency egress. On the interior of the building, we brought the house into ADA compliance, public and private space, while the remainder of the house received new finishes, renovated bathrooms, a laundry drop off/pick up room, and a true built-in serving line in the Dining Room.
Choosing the right architecture firm to design and construct or renovate your Greek house can be challenging. After all, a Greek fraternity or sorority house is more than just a place to live. It’s as much a part of the traditions and character of the chapter as the charter, the board, and the members.
Krittenbrink Architecture distinguishes itself with its commitment to quality designs, carefully and cleverly including your unique visions and ideas into a Greek house that is like none other. We can utilize your existing architectural designs or draft new ones for you. We collaborate and coordinate with consultants and contractors so you don’t have to. Our architecture firm has experience in civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering. Once your new Greek house has been completed, we’re happy to help you with your interior design needs.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and to speak with our team of architects.
