The greatest aspect of our profession is the chance to operate in various locations across the Midwest. Within our portfolio, you will discover projects near each of our three offices! With our team strategically positioned in different parts of the state, Architect One is well-equipped to cater to all your project requirements.
Enjoy the updates and stories we have shared in the newsletter about the amazing clients we are working with and their projects. | | Project Spotlight: Ta Co. Topeka, KS | | Our friends at TaCo, Topeka's newest restaurant in Downtown Topeka, began their soft opening the first week of August. Offering "Modern Tacos, Unique Flavors" the TaCo soft opening gave many the opportunity to see the well-designed, creative solution for this new, three-story dining experience located on the corner of 8th and SW Kansas Ave in Downtown Topeka.
Each level offers a new experience starting with the main-street entrance vibe of the first floor, with diner seating and a quaint "local-vibe" bar at the back of the room. The first floor offers and comfortable downtown dining option for lunch or dinner, or just drinks with a few friends. If you are looking for a place to have a larger group or throw a party, the second floor has a larger room with comfortable seating for you and approximately 40 of your friends in one location. With lots of windows on the east and south walls, this room gives you a nice view of the busy downtown Topeka sidewalks and streets below. Lastly, the third-floor venue is a nice play on the uptown vibe of a small dining room seating for three dozen patrons, and a full room-length bar offering all your favorite cocktails! The room is lined with windows on the east and south walls giving a nice panoramic view of the downtown skyline of Topeka. The ceiling of the third floor is lined with skylights to warm the room with natural light as patrons enjoy the panoramic view. The taco-focused menu is simple yet packed with flavor-filled options for everyone.
Our Team at AO were honored to be chosen by the owner, Aim Strategies, to tackle the challenges of this project and help bring their vision to reality! | | | Salina Hangar 626
Salina Airport Authority | Salina, KS | | Embarking on numerous capital improvement projects across the airport, the Salina Airport Authority (SAA) earmarked Hangar 626 as an underutilized asset. The hangar was built in 1945 by the United States War Department to serve B-29 Superfortress heavy bombardment units based at Smoky Hill Army Airfield. After years of neglect and activities contrary to its intended use, Architect One with Hutton as general contractor was brought on-board to weatherize and modernize the structure in support of aircraft MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) procedures. A lengthy period of demolition included removal of the hangar's boiler, bi-parting aircraft hangar doors including their fascia and foundations, electrical service, plumbing systems, and other infrastructure. With a clean slate, new work could begin on weatherizing the existing, porous CMU with a new corrugated metal cladding. The new, 25 foot tall hangar-doors required foundations, steel floor track, header track, and additional steelwork to support a new coiling door for the aircraft's tail. As each hangar door has its own motor, the new electrical service and distribution ensured proper power throughout the space. LED lighting, gas fired radiant heaters, destratification fans, and remodeled restrooms completed the MEP package. After a historic past, the hangar now looks to the future with innovation. Until now, Hangar 626 had never been sprinklered for fire protection and was behind current codes to continue its functional intent. Traditional hangar fire suppression systems rely on older technology with foam deluge systems destructive both for the aircraft, and the environment. In addition, these foams have caused several fatalities because the hangar quickly fills with ten feet or more of foam causing disorientation for its occupants. The new system is a first of its kind clean-agent that is non-conductive, non-corrosive, and unlike foams, does not harm the aircraft's frame or sensitive components. The 43,000 square foot hangar is now leased to 1 Vision Aviation as the newest Garming International avionics installation and service center. 1 Vision will install, retrofit, and service avionics equipment in aircraft types ranging from small two-seaters to Boeing and Airbus airliners. The hangar also houses the Aviation Innovation Maintenance (AIM) Center at Salina Regional Airport (SLN), a pre-apprenticeship program providing hands-on training for MRO careers. The grand opening in mid-July, 2024 was attended by officials from SAA, Garmin, 1 Vision, the Salina Chamber of Commerce, and State of Kansas officials and Congressional representatives. Opening up an 80-year-old building comes with its inherent surprises. So too, this project was fluid with its evolving end-use aims and goals. However, in great partnership, Architect One thanks the Salina Airport Authority for this opportunity and hopes to support them in the future. | | | CTE West Campus Conversion
Seward County Community College | Liberal, KS | | | A few weeks ago our team at Architect One visited Seward County Community College for the ground breaking of their CTE West Campus Conversion. As the owner shared, "Working with Architect One has been a great experience. They have been able to guide us through the design process and have helped us to advance our campus goals." Being able to give our client a solution to a long time goal is exactly what our team at Architect One is here for and we are excited about the positive impact this project will have on the students at Seward County. We cannot wait to update you as the construction progresses! | | | Intern Spotlight
Coral Aboud | | | "While working at AO I have had the opportunity to broaden my knowledge of the architectural profession and actually get to practice it. While schools are busy teaching us design and code, we don't often move beyond the schematic phase. Working at an architectural firm has provided me with a more wholistic view of a project from start to finish. This has allowed me to work on various project types in different phases, and get real world experience with clients, contractors, and on site before I graduate. I am grateful to have worked at AO for the last two summers and to receive their support to learn more about the industry as a student!
During this past summer, I had the opportunity to work with the owners of the Dialogue Coffee franchise and the CAPPER foundation on an upcoming expansion project to one of the facilities. This included meetings with the clients and visualizing spaces together through renders, as well as compiling the construction document set that will be used later on. I am grateful to have gained real-world experience on this project and excited for the future of it" | | | Architecture and well-designed spaces are essential for a resilient society and a strong national economy, enhancing productivity, innovation, and community well-being. Design professionals are key to creating sustainable, functional environments that impact all aspects of life.
Our responsibility as citizens is to respect and value individualism and creative independence. Design-minded problem-solving strengthens our nation. Amid strong political winds, our profession must fuse this duty with a civic-minded approach, ensuring our creations meet diverse needs, boost resilience, and support economic stability. Leading by example means designing by example!
Friends of Architect One, enjoy the following update from our Team on a few of the many projects we are busy working on or wrapping up. We hope you find something in here to make your day a little better and give you inspiration as you tackle your next big challenge! Remember to leave it a little better than you found it.
-Scott | | | | |
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