Terry's Resume

TERRY L. BELKNAP, PRESIDENT Project Experience: 10 years Education: Master of Architecture, Clemson University Study Abroad, CAF Daniel Center Genoa, Italy Bachelor of Science in Architecture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Affiliations: American Institute of Architects Southface Energy Institute American Institute of Steel Construction
On Architecture…: My passion for architecture developed at an early age and increased during my tenure in the construction trades. I am a hands-on architect and have always been meticulous about details and fascinated by design. This passion enables me to converse freely with our clients, contractors and engineers to achieve the most advantageous solution. It also enables me to explain and discuss critical issues with our clients and ensure the contractors can construct the final design solution. Architecture is a creative passion and every project presents an opportunity to be creative and to fulfill the highest, unforeseen, aspirations of a client. Many beautiful details are derived from commonplace objects that were given special consideration. That is why I believe that a building without thought can only be a structure, but a building with thought can be Architecture. On Sustainability…: My bias towards environmentally-friendly construction grew from an early fascination with earth-berm solar houses, which were near my childhood home in Colorado. Natural energy was fascinating and something that I researched throughout my high school and college years. In college, I received the Schlein Fellowship for my Master of Architecture degree, during which time I invented a construction system using fiber-reinforced plastics that could be recycled into plastic bottles. My professional approach focuses on sustainable design, the long-term effects of buildings on nature, and the integration of contractors and engineering disciplines into the design process. This is the best way to deliver successful projects to our clients. During my career, I have published several articles about environmentally friendly design and construction practices and have taught seminars regarding sustainable design and passive solar construction. On Design and Construction…: A solid construction background is essential for an architect to succeed and an architect’s design is only as good as the contractor’s execution of the idea. These principles are what make our involvement in the construction process imperative. A lack of skilled construction labor has reduced the quality of construction over the past few decades. The only way to ensure a client’s vision is realized is to be involved throughout the construction process. On Project Experience…: My professional career began at an architecture firm in Colorado specializing in custom residential architecture. It was a very fulfilling job where I enjoyed the frequent opportunities to meet and build relationships with our clients. I left that firm with the desire to design larger and more ambitious projects. I advanced through a few firms gaining exposure in the civic sector on projects such as Richmond County Detention Center and Lilburn City Hall; the business sector on restaurant and office park projects; and the hospitality sector working on projects such as a 10-story hotel and condo complex in Philadelphia, a 16 story super-luxury apartment complex in Mumbai, India, and a convention center complex in Illinois. The lack of client involvement is ultimately what led to my departure and fueled my desires to begin my own business. Now I do what I really love – great design, building relationships and making clients happy. Licensure – Registered Architect Ohio # 13266 Alabama # 5559 NCARB # 55,898 Florida # AR91559 Georgia # RA10622