TAP Architecture

TAPARCHITECTURE Associate and 2010 AIA Central Oklahoma President Kenneth Dennis writes about why design matters for the June/July AIA Central Oklahoma Newsletter.

(Why) Design Matters

It’s simple. Good design makes a difference™. The AIA proclaims this on its national website. But, do we really believe this? I do. Design influences the way we live, work, and play. Therefore, it better be good.

Placemaking is vital to the continued growth and success of any community. “Places are sustained and continue to grow by serving the people who live there.”(1) Places must have distinctive amenities with a variety of lifestyle choices to attract people. Architects play an important role in creating inspirational places and memorable communities. We should not only be concerned about life safety issues, but also quality of life issues. We should be concerned about environmental quality, community and neighborhood revitalization, land use, transportation, and housing. We should also be looking at amenities, such as recreation, cultural districts, and heritage issues that help create livable communities that the public desire.

Good design instills a sense of pride in people. The stronger the sense of place and the identity created by it, the more people will feel invested in their community. Ultimately, we want our clients to be proud of the buildings that we design for them. As architects, we strive to provide our clients with a design solution that serves their needs programmatically and functionally. We also need to provide a design solution that inspires their imagination and expresses their identity and culture. This creates pride in ownership of their building. They become stakeholders in the community.

Stewardship is at the heart of good design. Creating healthy, sustainable communities will help keep Oklahoma at the forefront of the 21st century global economy. Innovation in our approach to addressing the issues of inevitable growth will be important in our efforts to becoming a more livable community. Regional public transportation, affordable housing, alternative energy sources, and access to water resources are some important issues that we need to address. As architects, we can provide valuable insight into these discussions.

We have the opportunity to create a truly memorable community. Our community has seen extraordinary change over the past fifteen years. The MAPS projects have been a catalyst for private economic development and growth in our community. MAPS 3, Core to Shore, and Project 180 are initiatives that will change the face of our community again over the next twenty years. We must be active in our advocacy for good design.

AIA Central Oklahoma has recently created a Local Advocacy Committee. This committee has developed a page on AIA COC’s website dedicated to providing you information on opportunities to get involved in your community. There are links to local municipalities’ websites and a listing of upcoming meetings and events. If you have not already taken the opportunity to visit this page, I urge you to do so. Share your knowledge, insight, and passion for good design with your community. Get involved.

(1) The “Placemaking/Sustainability” Connection by Michael Crosbie, PhD, AIA

TAPARCHITECTURE recently commemorated its 20th anniversary with a celebration at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel. Family, friends, colleagues and clients began the evening with a champagne reception in the Continental Room followed by dinner in the Venetian Room. Guest speaker, Councilwoman Meg Salyer spoke briefly on TAP’s contributions to the community and introduced a video produced especially for the event. A string quartet from the OCU Wanda L. Bass School of Music provided a musical program throughout the evening.

Senior Principals, John Ward, Anthony McDermid and Rick Lueb formed TAP, The Architectural Partnership, in 1988. Today, the management team includes David Forgey, Partner and Scott Parker and Kenneth Dennis, Associates.

TAP has received national recognition for award-winning architecture design and urban planning innovations, and has completed hundreds of projects in 15 states and on 3 continents.

TAPARCHITECTURE announces that architects Kenneth B. Dennis and Scott Parker have been named as Associates in the firm.

Dennis, a native of Florida, received his Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Florida and his Masters in Architecture from Oklahoma University. Dennis is a LEED Accredited Professional and a proven champion of green architecture in education, healthcare and corporate design.

Parker, a graduate of the OSU College of Architecture, joined the firm in 2002 and has designed a range of structures for TAP, including commercial, educational and hospitality spaces.

“Kenneth and Scott have been tremendous assets to our firm,” said John Ward, AIA, and TAP Principal. “We are happy they are now Associates with TAP, helping to guide policy and set the long-term vision of the company.”

TAPARCHITECTURE is pleased to announce that architect David Forgey, AIA, has been named partner in the firm. Forgey is a licensed architect and a 1998 graduate of the OU College of Architect. He has designed a range of structures built in Oklahoma City and surrounding states, including commercial, medical, office and retail spaces. “David has been a tremendous asset to TAP for several years,” said John Ward, Principal. “As a Partner in Charge of Production, he ensures that projects exceed Owner’s expectations while remaining on-time and on-budget. TAP appreciates David’s strong commitment to our mission.”

Forgey rejoined TAP in 2007 after a brief hiatus, and has served as Project Manager for a number of TAP projects constructed in the region, including Catholic Charities in Tulsa, OK, Valliance Bank in McKinney, TX, The Brownstones at Maywood Park and the Starbucks at 36th Street and May Avenue in Oklahoma City.

TAPARCHITECTURE is pleased to announce the addition of J. Dennis Hairston, AIA, Project Architect and Manager to its staff. Hairston holds a Masters in Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from Oklahoma State University. Hairston has designed a variety of structures built in Oklahoma City and surrounding states, including historic preservation, educational and hospitality facilities.

Hairston’s experience and passion for Historic Preservation Architecture led him to serve as a member of the Putman Heights Preservation Area, Inc. and the Heritage Committee. He also worked for the Oklahoma State Preservation Office and currently the Centennial Marker Committee in Oklahoma City. “We are delighted to have Dennis join our team,” said Anthony McDermid, RIBA, AIA and Principal of the firm. “His expertise and professional reputation will be of tremendous benefit to the evolution of TAP.”

[TAPARCHITECTURE] was named Firm of the Year and awarded the prestigious Solomon Andrew Layton Award by the American Institute of Architects, Central Oklahoma Chapter. The Honor Awards ceremony was held Friday, April 13 at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel. The award was given to [TAPARCHITECTURE] based on their history of legacy design projects including City Rescue Mission, Oklahoma Judicial Center, and MLK Elementary School; community involvement of which the team is involved in over 27 community organizations; and a vision to the future for Core to Shore and Lincoln Renaissance. Principals Anthony McDermid, John Ward, Rick Lueb and Hans Butzer accepted. “The Solomon Andrew Layton Award is more meaningful than an individual award because it recognizes architecture is a team sport”, said Anthony McDermid, RIBA, AIA. “Great design services are the baseline for TAP and this award recognizes community involvement and leadership above and beyond.”

The custom award was designed and fabricated by Stan Carroll, AIA of Beyond Metal, Inc.

Solomon Andrew Layton (1864-1943) the most noted architect of early-day Oklahoma City created designs for many of the States’ most notable structures including buildings that still remain today; the Braniff Building, the Medical Arts Building, the Skirvin Hotel and the Oklahoma State Capitol Building, one of his outstanding works. His efforts in creating lasting Architecture for the community best exemplify the qualities of his award.

Published on The Journal Record Website, April 6, 2007

Developers of Brownstones at Maywood Park say the project is revitalizing the lifestyle opportunities for Oklahomans. The Brownstones at Maywood Park, based on a concept formulated by a group of University of Oklahoma architecture students, will be a community of 127 high-end row homes in downtown Oklahoma City. The development, which will include urban row homes similar to ones in Boston or New York, but with an Oklahoma twist. The Brownstones will be built in a neighborhood setting that includes walking trails to Bricktown, a park and retail space.

Where else in Oklahoma City can you walk to work, to an exceptional art museum, to a world-class riverfront rowing facility, to the best Triple-A ballpark in the country, to a range of quality eating establishments, and make a short walk home from a nightcap on the town and put the keys into the doors of a beautifully proportioned home that you own?

The homes, ranging in size from 2,400 square feet to 3,700 square feet, are between 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 stories depending on the model. The first phase of construction includes 15 of the homes and is set to be completed by the middle of the summer, with the remaining phases of the development to be constructed over the next three to four years. The Brownstones are innovative in every facet of design and function. Utilizing the most advanced green building techniques, the sustainable structures will last for generations.The homes cost between $590,000 and $710,000 and are being marketed to professional couples and singles of all ages.

“We expect to see the homes catalyze neighborhood retail uses and for commercial growth to follow homeowners who are also business owners or corporate leaders,” said Anthony McDermid, a principal at [TAPARCHITECTURE] and partner of The Triangle Development.

The first phase of the Brownstones has spurred several other projects in the downtown area as well as another project in the Triangle, according to officials at [TAPARCHITECTURE]. Since this project was first imagined over three years ago, other developers have jumped on board to grow the downtown housing need.

This may have been the first year [TAPARCHITECTURE] participated in the March of Dimes Walk America fundraising campaign, but the TAPteam raised funds like a pro.

At the recent award party, the TAP team received several honors, including Best New Team Overall (Division III), Team with Highest Walker Dollar Average (First Place, Division III), New Team Raising Most Money Overall (Second Place), Team with Highest Walker Dollars (Second Place, Division III), and Team Raising Most Money (Third Place, Division III).TAP Team Raises Top Dollars for March of Dimes

Overall, the Central Oklahoma area Walk America raised close to $400,000 for the March of Dimes. The money goes to benefit reseach, programs and treatment for premature babies.

[TAPARCHITECTURE] and Rebuilding Together OKC partnered to give an Oklahoma City woman’s fire damaged residence a home “TAPover” On Nov. 4 and 5, 2005. TAP employees and friends will work on repairing and renovating the home from dawn to dusk both days.Eighty-four-year-old Clara Myers lived in her house, located on OKC’s Northeast side, for nearly 60 years. She and her recently deceased husband, Eddie, raised three of their own children, helped raise 18 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren and cared for more than 3,000 foster children out of their home.

On July 14, her home was severely damaged by fire when a burning rag was left in a bucket on the front porch to repel mosquitoes.

Clara woke up to the sound of the fire alarm and immediately got her great-grandchildren out of the house. Firefighters had to rescue 92-year-old Eddie, who had crawled under a bed to escape the flames. He later died due to complications of smoke-inhalation.

Firefighters were able to put out the fire before it engulfed the entire house, but there was still severe damage to the front of the house and many personal items were lost, leaving Clara both physically and financially unable to repair the damages without help.

Rebuilding Together OKC, a local non-profit organization dedicated to rebuilding safe homes, connected Clara with [TAPARCHITECTURE], whose staff was seeking to donate their time and money to help a family in need for the holiday season. As a result, the firm’s first ever home “TAPover” was born.

Over that November weekend, TAP employees gutted the inside of the house, hung sheet rock, paint walls, install cabinets and more, with plans to help Clara furnish her home as well.

The plan is to have Clara ready to celebrate the holidays with her children, grand children and great-grandchildren in her newly-renovated home.