KSS Architects co-founder Allan Kehrt, FAIA, LEED AP, PP will step down from his role as senior design partner to an emeritus position at the beginning of 2012 - a move that has been ongoing for more than 10 years as part of the firm's ownership transition plan.
Since establishing KSS Architects in 1983 with colleagues Michael Shatken and Rafael Sharon, Kehrt has helped the firm grow from a staff of three focused on residential design, into a 40-person company with offices in Princeton and Philadelphia. With the leadership of its six partners - Kehrt, Shatken, Edmund Klimek, Pamela Lucas Rew, David Zaiser, and Merilee Meacock - KSS has risen above recent economic challenges and developed an award-winning portfolio of projects across the nation in the markets of higher education, K-12 education, industrial, commercial, corporate interiors, municipal design and sustainable design.
"The past year was one of the strongest we have had in the market," Shatken said. "Allan shaped our core values about design excellence as well as client relationships, which all of the partners have instilled throughout the firm. As a result, our breadth of work and our national presence continue to grow."
"I will admit it's hard to back away from KSS after 28 years," added Kehrt. "But it's is something we have been planning for many years. I have absolute confidence that Michael and our next generation will continue to add to the exceptional achievements of KSS for many, many years. It's been a great ride!"
Kehrt's legacy of projects include Rutgers University's Biomedical Engineering Building, the renovation and expansion of Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, the recent new campus center at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and Princeton Township's Municipal Complex.
In 2001, Kehrt was elevated to the American Institute of Architects' College of Fellows, an honor bestowed to only 3 percent of all registered architects in the U.S. In 2008, Kehrt was nominated to the AIA's Jury of Fellows, a three-year post, and served as a chairman in 2010. Kehrt was also named Architect of the Year by AIA New Jersey in 2006.
Active in the design education community, Allan has served as faculty, guest lecturer, or juror at many colleges of architecture in the east, including the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia University, Moore College of Art & Design, New Jersey Institute of Technology and his alma mater Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he will continue on its Advisory Board. He has presented and lectured for many professional organizations including the American Institute of Architects and the Society of College and University Planning. BD+C
Related Stories
| Jun 18, 2014
Largest Passive House structure in the U.S. to be built in Oregon
Orchards at Orenco, a 57-unit affordable housing complex in Hillsboro, Oregon, is the first of a three-phase, three-building complex.
| Jun 18, 2014
SOM's twisting tower wins design competition for Sweden's tallest skyscraper
The skyscraper, which will reach 230 meters and is named Polstjärnan, or "The Pole Star," is to be built in Gothenburg, Sweden.
| Jun 18, 2014
Study shows walkable urbanism has positive economic impact
Walkable communities have a higher GDP, greater wealth, and higher percentages of college grads, according to a new study by George Washington University.
| Jun 18, 2014
Ware Malcomb names Sorensen Engineering Regional Manager
New hire will oversee firm's civil engineering practice in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Irvine.
| Jun 18, 2014
JLG Architects hires 31 to keep up with 'shale gale' work
Construction boom fueled by 'shale gale' brings rapid growth to North Dakota firm.
| Jun 18, 2014
Arup uses 3D printing to fabricate one-of-a-kind structural steel components
The firm's research shows that 3D printing has the potential to reduce costs, cut waste, and slash the carbon footprint of the construction sector.
| Jun 18, 2014
Architecture Billings Index shows increase in design activity
The American Institute of Architects reported that the May ABI score was 52.6, up sharply from a mark of 49.6 in April. This score reflects an increase in design activity.
| Jun 17, 2014
Must see: If music were architecture in 27 illustrations
From Miles Davis to Björk to Manu Chao to Bach, Babina visualizes how these sounds will look like if they were visible in the form of architecture.
| Jun 17, 2014
Nation's largest Thai Buddhist temple opens near Boston
The $60 million facility built in honor of King Rama IX of Thailand is the largest Thai Buddhist temple outside of Thailand.
| Jun 17, 2014
U.S. Census report examines why Americans move
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 35.9 million people moved between 2012 and 2013, meaning that 11.7% of the U.S. population moved in one year. The report seeks to examine why.
