Current News

Kirksey Architecture turns 50 this year.

Kirksey has shaped skylines and helped build communities. We’ve been part of the evolution of design and pushed the boundaries on innovation. For five decades, we’ve worked with people and organizations that have inspired us and trusted us with their visions and missions. We are grateful and honored to be part of their stories and successes.

VLK Architects is pleased to announce that Gopinath “Gopi” Akalkotkar, COA, AIA, LEED AP, has joined the firm as Principal.

Akalkotkar will be responsible for leading VLK’s efforts in San Antonio and the South Texas market.

Colley Hodges, AIA, was named one of Houston Business Journal's 40 Under 40 honorees for 2021.

Colley serves as Kirksey Architecture's director of sustainability, where he provides building performance analysis and leads the firm’s green building research, education, and advocacy efforts. He also volunteers with several local environmental non-profits and has served on AIA Houston's Gulf Coast Green committee since 2012.

Houston school receives distinguished sustainability award. The Monarch School and Institute was awarded IFIL’s prestigious Petal Certification.

International Living Future Institute (IFLI) awarded The Monarch School and Institute Living Building v2.1 Petal Certification. The Monarch School and Institute was the first in the state of Texas to be certified under the Petal Certification and the first in Houston (5th in the state) to receive an IFLI certification. The school is extremely excited to be recognized for their sustainable design and living building journey, which began in March of 2012, with the receipt of this Petal Certification.

Adele Houghton, AIA published in Connection, the Young Architects Forum magazine.

Her op-ed details the importance of architects’ delivering designs that reflect and amplify neighborhood-scale goals for promoting resilience, equity, and health.

VLK Architects Celebrate the Dedication of Katy ISD’s McElwain Elementary School

VLK Architects and Katy Independent School District board members joined together to commemorate the new Peter McElwain Elementary School with a dedication ceremony. Chosen as the namesake due to his commitment and dedication to Katy ISD, Peter McElwain led a 30-year career serving as a Katy ISD District Architect. During the ceremony, he was presented with a portrait for the campus to proudly display as a reminder of the namesake and the legacy that will live on in this building for generations.

VLK Architects Celebrates Dedication Ceremony with Galena Park ISD for the Jacinto City Elementary School Replacement

Houston, Texas, (March 29, 2021) — VLK Architects and Galena Park Independent School District board members joined together to commemorate the new Jacinto City Elementary School Replacement with a dedication ceremony. The theme, incorporating a nod to the previous elementary school, includes the desires of the community as expressed by design teams composed of district and campus leaders, teachers, community members, and students.

Northwood Apartments, a Multifamily Housing Community, to Replace Housing Lost During Hurricane Harvey

HOUSTON, TX (Tuesday, March 23, 2021) – The Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA), Harris County – Community Services Department (HCCSD), Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis, the Texas General Land Office (GLO), and the development partner LDG Development (LDG) celebrate the groundbreaking of Northwood Apartments, a multifamily development located at 12620 Eastex Freeway to replace housing lost during Hurricane Harvey. The development is financed with Harris County’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds in conjunction with private financing from Citi Community Capital and AEGON USA Realty Advisors, LLC.

Kirksey Architecture hires new Director of Business Development, Janki DePalma, LEED AP, CPSM

She specializes in creating connections and brings nearly 20 years of experience in the A/E/C industry. Janki's involvement in the industry and community connects Kirksey’s Central Texas office in Austin to the people and ideas that make the city and surrounding area unique.

PBK Announces New Partner

HOUSTON – PBK, an architecture and engineering firm, is proud to announce the promotion of Melissa Turnbaugh, AIA, NCARB, to Partner.