Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Sacred Architecture & Liturgical Design Services
JNKA Architects is a full-service architecture and liturgical design firm with over 60 years of experience dedicated to serving religious institutions, schools, and faith-based communities. Founded in 1963, our firm specializes in creating sacred spaces that reflect each client's unique vision while fostering environments for worship, learning, and community engagement. Our collaborative design process emphasizes active listening, personalized questionnaires, and on-site reviews to define project goals and ensure alignment with client values. With a team of 9 professionals, we have completed over 700 projects across 13 states, ranging from new constructions and historic renovations to liturgical furnishings and handicap accessibility solutions. Our commitment to excellence extends through all project phases, from initial assessments and master planning to construction completion, ensuring steadfast guidance and professional dedication.We pride ourselves on balancing creativity, technical proficiency, and budgetary responsibility while maintaining long-term relationships with clients, consultants, and contractors. Our work spans classical to contemporary styles, respecting both client identity and environmental context. Recognized nationally for award-winning designs, we prioritize thoughtful collaboration to deliver innovative solutions that positively impact communities. Our leadership team, including President David Kuhlman, brings decades of specialized experience in religious, educational, and residential architecture. Through integrated team approaches and construction management partnerships, we consistently achieve client objectives while upholding our mission of architectural stewardship for faith-based institutions.
Services
Worship Spaces
Educational Facilities
Residential Design
Community Centers
Administrative Centers
Athletic Facilities
Cemetery Structures
Liturgical Furnishings
Master Planning
Renovations
Details
- Year established: 1963
Highlights and features
- We have over 60 years of specialized experience in sacred architecture
- Our collaborative design process ensures perfect client vision alignment
- Award-winning portfolio spanning 700+ projects in 13 states
- Comprehensive services from master planning to construction completion
- Dedicated team with specialized expertise in faith-based design
What people say
Listens well
Lot with a little
Warmth and skill
Impressive design
Excited about partnership
Services
Worship Spaces
We design worship environments for diverse faith traditions including cathedrals, churches, synagogues, and mosques. Our team creates sacred spaces that balance spiritual significance with functional needs through collaborative design processes. Each project incorporates liturgical requirements while respecting architectural context and community identity.
Educational Facilities
Our educational facility designs serve preschools through higher education institutions with spaces that support faith-based learning. We create environments that foster academic excellence while integrating spiritual development needs. Projects include classrooms, administrative offices, and multi-use spaces tailored to educational missions.
Community Centers
We develop welcoming community spaces that enhance congregation interaction and public engagement. Our designs incorporate flexible layouts for social gatherings, handicap accessibility features, and multipurpose areas that serve both religious and secular community needs.
Historic Renovations
Our firm specializes in preserving architectural heritage through adaptive reuse of historic religious buildings. We combine modern functionality with original design elements while maintaining structural integrity and historical significance through meticulous restoration techniques.
Liturgical Furnishings
We design custom liturgical furnishings that enhance worship experiences while reflecting each community's traditions. Our team creates altars, pulpits, and devotional spaces that integrate seamlessly with overall architectural designs while meeting functional requirements.
People
David C. Kuhlman
President and Director of Design
AIA-certified architect with over 30 years of experience in sacred architecture. Leads all project phases from concept to completion while maintaining design integrity. Specializes in complex religious projects and has directed over 500 successful implementations.
Kimberly Z. Kuhlman
Vice President
LEED Green Associate with naval engineering background managing large-scale projects. Oversees technical execution and sustainability integration. Brings unique perspective from military construction management experience to faith-based projects.
Susan A. Maish
Principal & Director of JNKA Architects-Florida
NCARB-certified architect with 20+ years focusing on southeastern religious projects. Manages Florida operations while maintaining client relationships across multiple denominations. Expert in regional building codes and climate-specific design solutions.
Thomas M. Dietz
Associate Principal
WELL AP and LEED BD+C accredited professional specializing in healthy building environments. Combines technical expertise with liturgical understanding to create functional worship spaces that meet modern wellness standards.
Cesar Ceballos
Director of Nevada Office
AIA architect leading western regional operations with focus on southwestern religious architecture. Adapts designs to desert climates while maintaining aesthetic harmony with regional cultural contexts through innovative material selections.
Questions
What types of religious institutions do you work with?
We serve all faith traditions including Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Jewish, Islamic, and non-denominational communities across the United States.
Can you handle complex historic church renovations?
Yes, our team specializes in historic preservation with expertise in maintaining architectural integrity while modernizing facilities for contemporary needs.
How do you ensure projects stay within budget?
We use an integrated team approach with construction managers during design phases to maintain budget alignment through accurate cost estimation and value engineering.
Do you offer nationwide services?
We operate through regional offices in Illinois, Texas, Florida, and Nevada, serving clients in 13 states with centralized project management.
What makes your firm different from other architects?
Our exclusive focus on faith-based projects combined with our collaborative design process creates spaces that truly reflect each community's spiritual identity.
How are design decisions made?
We employ interactive design reviews with stakeholders, using 3D renderings and animations to ensure client vision alignment throughout the project lifecycle.
