Business Details
34 Years
experience
Historic Preservation & Architectural Design Services
JLK Architects was founded in 1992 by Walker Johnson and Larry Lasky, two pioneers in historic preservation architecture. Our firm has built a legacy of technical expertise and research-driven design, delivering innovative solutions for historic structures across the United States. We specialize in adaptive reuse, restoration, and new construction projects that honor a building's heritage while meeting modern demands. Our multidisciplinary team combines specialized skills in architectural history, preservation planning, and sustainable design to address complex challenges in public and private sectors. With decades of collective experience, we have established ourselves as a trusted authority in historic preservation, evidenced by national recognition and numerous awards.Our work reflects a deep understanding of cultural resources, compliance standards, and technical best practices. We collaborate closely with clients to balance practical project constraints with visionary design, prioritizing transparency, ethical standards, and community impact. This commitment to client satisfaction and architectural excellence has driven our growth into a diverse team recognized for industry leadership and technical innovation.
Services
Historic Preservation
Architectural Design
Cultural Resources Consulting
Transit Infrastructure
Building Restoration
Adaptive Reuse
Compliance Consulting
Heritage Documentation
Accessibility Upgrades
Sustainable Design
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- Full-service architectural firm with Secretary of the Interior qualifications
- Recipient of multiple national preservation awards since 1992
- Specialized expertise in NHPA Section 106 compliance and tax credit projects
- LEED-certified professionals for sustainable preservation solutions
- Multidisciplinary team with technical expertise in historic structures
Associations and certifications
- Woman Business Enterprise (WBE)
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
What people say
Excellent design work
Invaluable expertise
Diligence and thoughtfulness
Award-winning results
Strong compliance knowledge
Services
Historic Preservation
Our team specializes in preserving culturally significant structures through meticulous research and technical expertise. Services include historic building assessments, tax credit consulting, and compliance with national preservation standards. We balance historical integrity with modern functionality across landmark buildings and transportation infrastructure projects.
Architectural Design
We provide comprehensive architectural design services for new construction and renovations, emphasizing universal design principles and sustainability. Our approach integrates client needs with technical feasibility, delivering timeless spaces for municipal, commercial, and institutional clients through collaborative planning and construction administration.
Cultural Resources
Our cultural resources practice assists clients with regulatory compliance and historic documentation. Services include National Register nominations, heritage documentation, and Section 106 compliance. We help navigate complex preservation requirements while maintaining project feasibility across diverse infrastructure and development projects.
Transit Infrastructure
We offer specialized architectural solutions for transportation systems, including historic bridge rehabilitation and station design. Our team addresses accessibility improvements and code compliance while preserving historic elements in rail, pedestrian, and vehicular structures across urban environments and historic landscapes.
Building Restoration
Our restoration services combine technical analysis with historic research to address preservation challenges. From envelope assessments to full rehabilitation, we implement durable solutions for windows, roofs, and facades while maintaining architectural integrity through modern construction techniques and materials science.
People
Meg Kindelin
Owner & President
Owner and President Meg Kindelin leads JLK Architects' growth as a certified WBE firm, expanding its expertise in preservation architecture across public and private sectors since 2014.
Walker Johnson
Co-Founder
Co-founder Walker Johnson established JLK Architects' preservation legacy in 1992, contributing decades of experience in historic architecture and technical investigation to define the firm's research-driven approach.
Larry Lasky
Co-Founder
Co-founder Larry Lasky helped establish JLK Architects' industry reputation through pioneering preservation projects that emphasized technical rigor and responsible stewardship of historic structures since the firm's inception.
Questions
What architectural services does JLK Architects offer?
We provide historic preservation, architectural design, cultural resources consulting, and transit infrastructure services for public and private sector clients nationwide.
Are you certified for government projects?
Yes, we hold WBE/DBE certifications with IDOT, CTA, Metra, and Pace, and are Secretary of the Interior-qualified for historic preservation work.
What preservation awards have you received?
Our work has earned multiple national recognition awards, including Driehaus Foundation honors and American Institute of Architects preservation awards since 1992.
Can you assist with historic tax credits?
Yes, our team provides Historic Tax Credit design and consultation services to support preservation projects through available incentives.
What makes your firm different?
Our research-driven approach combines technical expertise with collaborative design, balancing preservation needs with modern functionality across diverse project types.
Do you handle both public and private projects?
Yes, our clients include municipal agencies and private owners across transportation infrastructure, cultural institutions, and commercial sectors.
