Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Sacred Architecture & Design Experts in Park Ridge, IL
JNKA Architects is a full-service architecture and liturgical design firm with 9 professionals dedicated to serving religious institutions, schools, and faith-based communities. Founded in 1963, our firm has completed over 700 projects across 13 states, specializing in facility assessments, master planning, and design for new buildings, renovations, and historic restorations. Our collaborative design process emphasizes listening to clients to create spaces that reflect their unique identity and achieve their goals. We pride ourselves on balancing creativity, economy, and technical proficiency while maintaining a team-oriented approach throughout all project phases. Our team includes experienced professionals like President David Kuhlman, Vice President Kimberly Kuhlman, and Principal Susan Maish, who bring decades of expertise in religious, educational, and residential architecture.We have received numerous design awards but consider our greatest strength to be our ability to guide clients through defining their vision and delivering innovative, budget-conscious solutions. Our commitment extends beyond design to fostering strong relationships and providing steadfast guidance from initial concept through construction completion. We serve diverse faith communities, educational institutions, and residential developers with a focus on creating meaningful spaces that enrich lives and communities.
Services
Worship Spaces
Educational Facilities
Residential Design
Community Centers
Liturgical Furnishings
Historic Restoration
Master Planning
LEED Design
Building Information Modeling
Design Animations
Details
- Year established: 1963
Highlights and features
- We have completed over 700 projects for faith-based communities since 1963
- Our collaborative design process ensures client vision drives every project
- Specialized expertise in LEED design and historic restoration
- Team includes professionals with decades of experience in sacred architecture
- Proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget
What people say
Listens to client needs
Creative solutions
Deep understanding of faith communities
Delivers on time and budget
Professional team
Services
Worship Spaces
We design worship spaces for diverse faith communities including churches, synagogues, mosques, and retreat centers. Our approach combines spiritual significance with functional design to create meaningful environments that enhance worship experiences. Each project reflects the unique traditions and needs of the congregation while maintaining architectural excellence.
Educational Facilities
Our educational facility designs serve preschools through higher education institutions with spaces that foster learning and community engagement. We create adaptable environments that support modern teaching methods while integrating with existing campus architecture. Our solutions prioritize safety, accessibility, and long-term functionality for evolving educational needs.
Historic Restoration
Specializing in historic church and building restoration, we preserve architectural heritage while incorporating modern requirements. Our team combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary technology to maintain structural integrity and historical authenticity. This service includes adaptive reuse of older buildings for new community purposes while respecting original design elements.
Liturgical Furnishings
We design custom liturgical furnishings that enhance worship spaces while reflecting theological significance. Our work includes altars, pulpits, iconography, and devotional spaces that integrate seamlessly with overall architecture. Each piece is crafted to support liturgical practices while maintaining artistic and functional excellence.
Master Planning
Our master planning service creates comprehensive roadmaps for facility development and expansion. We analyze existing conditions, future needs, and budget constraints to develop phased implementation plans. This service ensures cohesive growth that aligns with organizational goals while maintaining architectural continuity across projects.
People
David C. Kuhlman
President and Director of Design
AIA-certified architect with over 30 years of experience in sacred architecture, David leads JNKA Architects's design vision. He specializes in creating meaningful worship spaces and has received multiple design awards. His leadership focuses on collaborative client relationships and architectural excellence.
Kimberly Z. Kuhlman
Vice President
LEED-certified architect and former U.S. Navy officer with expertise in project management and sustainable design. Kimberly oversees complex projects and brings military precision to client service. She has particular experience in senior living and residential architecture.
Susan A. Maish
Principal & Director of JNKA Architects-Florida
Licensed architect with extensive experience in religious and educational projects, Susan leads JNKA Architects's Florida operations. She specializes in creating functional spaces that reflect community values. Her work focuses on client collaboration and innovative design solutions.
Thomas M. Dietz
Associate Principal
Certified architect with expertise in sustainable design and building certifications. Thomas brings technical proficiency to JNKA Architects's projects, focusing on energy-efficient solutions for faith-based and educational institutions. He has particular experience with LEED and WELL building standards.
Cesar Ceballos
Associate & Director of Nevada Office
Licensed architect leading JNKA Architects's Nevada operations with experience in diverse project types. Cesar specializes in adapting designs to regional contexts while maintaining architectural integrity. He focuses on creating functional spaces that serve community needs effectively.
Questions
What types of projects does JNKA specialize in?
We specialize in sacred architecture for faith communities, educational facilities, residential projects, and community spaces. Our expertise includes new construction, renovations, and historic restorations for religious institutions, schools, and residential developments.
How does JNKA approach the design process?
We use a collaborative design process that begins with listening to client needs through meetings and assessments. Our team develops customized solutions that reflect each community's identity while maintaining technical and budgetary discipline throughout all project phases.
What experience does JNKA have with religious architecture?
Since 1963, we've completed over 700 projects for diverse faith communities including Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, and non-denominational congregations. Our team has deep expertise in creating worship spaces that respect theological traditions while meeting modern functional requirements.
Can JNKA handle projects in multiple locations?
Yes, we operate from four regional offices in Illinois, Texas, Florida, and Nevada. Our team has completed projects across 13 states, adapting designs to local contexts while maintaining consistent quality and service standards for all clients.
What services does JNKA offer beyond architectural design?
We provide comprehensive services including master planning, facility assessments, LEED design, 3D renderings, and construction management. Our team also offers specialized liturgical furnishings design and zoning approval assistance for all project types.
