PUB 6 2025-2026 ISSUE 1 Museum of Utah and Collection Facility North Capitol Building North Capitol Building Under Construction
Council Hall, Salt Lake City, UT. Crafted from beautiful sandstone from Red Butte Canyon under the direction of William H. Folsom in 1866. Originally Salt Lake City Hall and home to the Mayor's offices and the seat of Salt Lake City Government and meeting place for the Utah Territorial legislature. The Rose Room on the second floor served both as a general courtroom and the legislative floor. To make way for the new courthouse, the building's exterior was dismantled into 325 sandstone slabs. They were numbered and reassembling around all-new woodwork on Capitol Hill. Restoration was done under the direction of Edward O. Anderson and renamed "Council Hall." As your preferred insurance provider, we make the proper adjustments to protect your business and cover its liability. We are leaders in insurance products and services for architects and engineers with over 60 years of specialized experience. From loss prevention to risk management, we strive to build long-term relationships with a foundation built on trust and commitment. Insure your architectural heritage. Brick by brick. Stone by stone. Professional & General Liability • Disability • Group Life Commercial Auto • Workers’ Comp • Property & Equipment Group Health • Personal Home • Personal Auto • Life Salt Lake City Office (801) 364-3434 | (800) 736-3436 Las Vegas Office (702) 877-1760 | (877) 806-5317 www.american-ins.com Council Hall, Salt Lake City, UT. Originaly built in 1866. Moved to new location on Capitol Hill in 1961.
Reflexion is a publication of the Utah Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. aiautah.org AIA Utah 280 S. 400 W., Ste. 150 Salt Lake City, UT 84101 President Whitney Ward, AIA, LEED AP BD+C President-Elect Clio Rayner, AIA, LEED AP BD+C Secretary Natalie Shutt-Banks, AIA Treasurer Libby Haslam, AIA Editor Frances Pruyn, CPSM Staff Executive Director Angie Harris Roberts Managing Director Joe Mangum ©2025 AIA Utah | The newsLINK Group LLC. All rights reserved. Reflexion is published quarterly by The newsLINK Group LLC for AIA Utah and is the official publication for this association. The information contained in this publication is intended to provide general information for review, consideration and education. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. If you need legal advice or assistance, it is strongly recommended that you contact an attorney as to your circumstances. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the AIA Utah, its board of directors or the publisher. Likewise, the appearance of advertisements within this publication does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any product or service advertised. Reflexion is a collective work, and as such, some articles are submitted by authors who are independent of the AIA Utah. While AIA Utah encourages a first-print policy, in cases where this is not possible, every effort has been made to comply with any known reprint guidelines or restrictions. Content may not be reproduced or reprinted without prior written permission. For further information, please contact the publisher at (855) 747-4003. 4 President’s Message Re-Engaging With the World 8 Editor’s Note 9 Member Spotlight E.J. Elliott, Associate at Elliott Workgroup 11 AIA Utah Conference Agenda Architects in the Wild. Untamed Design. Uncharted Practice. 12 Keynote Speakers 14 Dear Architect 16 Richard K.A. Kletting and the Fisher Mansion 19 Architectural Nexus A Fusion that Works 22 Museum of Utah and Collection Facility North Capitol Building 26 North Capitol Building Under Construction 27 In Memoriam Gregory Alan Beecher 1958-2025 CONTENTS 3
I recently had the opportunity to take a real vacation. And when I say a real vacation, I mean two full weeks away with no real plans other than visiting a place I have always wanted to see! Now, I went on this vacation with my spouse, parents and sister, so there was still some work to ensure everyone’s needs were met and the trip was enjoyable for all, but really, it was a true vacation. I know that this is unbelievable, but we often get carried away in our work and commitments and feel like we can’t take time away. Or we feel guilty for leaving, wanting to be superheroes for our jobs, clients and colleagues. This real vacation was an incredible reminder that taking time off, stepping away and taking a breath is essential. And the exciting revelation for me was that you don’t have to quit your job or take a sabbatical to have this moment. You need to plan to go on a vacation — ideally a two-week-long vacation so you can have time to decompress from your responsibilities, be present and give yourself time to get ready to return to your responsibilities. Now, to the most important takeaway from this vacation ... Drum roll ... I had time and space to remember why what we do as architects is vital. Spending time in a new place is an incredible reminder of how much our communities, neighborhoods, streets and buildings shape us and our daily experiences. I often find myself cruising through my daily experiences, known places and regular commutes, and I forget to consider how the places I am experiencing impact me. Enter: Stockholm, Sweden, Midsommer (summer solstice), 2025. Now I know you are thinking, ‘Wow, you went all the way to Scandinavia and spent your entire two weeks in Stockholm?’ I know, I thought it was wild too. I have not had such a leisurely vacation in my life! We ended up spending our time in Stockholm and really getting to know the city, seeing the sights leisurely, and spending time just being. It helped that I was traveling with my parents, as it was a bit more challenging to travel outside of the city with folks who require time to get up and moving, do not move quickly and have about five hours of sightseeing and engagement energy per day. Re-Engaging With the World BY WHITNEY WARD, AIA, LEED BD+C, PRESIDENT, AIA UTAH 4 REFLEXION
Spending time in a new place is an incredible reminder of how much our communities, neighborhoods, streets and buildings shape us and our daily experiences. As a result, I was able to take in the traditions of Sweden, have an incredible Scandinavian breakfast every day at a leisurely pace, take a moment to get ready and travel to one area of the city each day. There was also a lot of taking breaks, grabbing coffee or pastries, and chatting. During these two weeks, I had the following moments of appreciation. A functioning bus system is revolutionary. It is incredible how easy it is to live in, move around and experience a city with a well-connected rail network, but adding a comfortable, reliable and inexpensive bus system is what makes transit work. We stayed just outside of downtown and could get most anywhere we wanted by taking the No. 2 bus, which had a stop just outside our hotel. Public spaces that are comfortable for everyone are rare and a delight. Stockholm has parks, public squares and wide sidewalks with shade trees and structures, a place to grab a drink, fresh produce and flower vendors, benches in the shade and the sun, beautiful gardens and play features for kids. There was a place for my dad to sit and people watch, my mom to admire the gardens, me to gaze at beautiful buildings and for my sister and husband to get a drink and relax. It is incredible how a comfortable and engaging place for everyone seems to be a rarity for us, but it is available in each neighborhood in Stockholm. Dense places can be more livable than traditional neighborhoods — and having a grocery store next door is the best thing in the world! Nestled into a mid-rise community with multi-family housing catering to all ages and family stages, our hotel was part of a complete community. We had a grocery store on the hotel’s ground floor, a school across the courtyard and street (different ages), a soccer pitch in our backyard, six restaurants within two blocks and three 5
bus stops within a five-minute walk. There was also a daycare with the cutest little tikes walking around the neighborhood every morning for their “field trips.” I have never experienced a community that catered to as many people in different stages of their lives as this small neighborhood northeast of downtown Stockholm. We felt safe and comfortable in all areas of the city, and it was not because there was no litter or homelessness. Stockholm is a real city with challenges similar to those of other cities, but because everyone is outside, walking, taking transit and engaging with the businesses, you feel safe, connected and like a part of the community. Shopping for daily needs can be a delight. It is always so delightful to walk into a local shop, find what you need, connect with the person who owns or runs the store and know that you contribute to the local economy. My interactions felt meaningful, and my support felt valued. It was a friendly reminder that small businesses can thrive, even in 2025! Good architecture lasts the test of time, and just because we live in a relatively young society doesn’t mean we shouldn’t design for a lasting one. Stockholm is no different from other cities that have stood for thousands of years. Visiting these cities reminds us that while our lifespans are short, our buildings’ lifespans should not be. We should actively work to design buildings that will outlive us by generations, continuing to provide beauty, contribute to a comfortable experience and endure beyond the trends of today to be loved in the future. Going to Sweden for Midsommer does not mean that you will join a cult and die. My friends were genuinely worried about me, but I bucked the trend and survived a thriving and joyful public holiday. (This is a reference from “Midsommar,” a 2019 horror flick I still have not watched.) 6 REFLEXION
We should all embrace Fika! According to visitsweden.com, “While fika may seem like just a coffee and cake break, it holds a much deeper cultural significance in Sweden. It’s a moment to pause, connect and recharge — often more about the company and conversation than the coffee itself.” “Fika can happen any time of day, and it usually involves freshly brewed coffee served with something sweet; cinnamon buns (‘kanelbullar’) are the most popular choice. It’s also a popular and more relaxed choice for a date than going out for dinner. While some might enjoy a quiet coffee break solo, fika is widely seen as a social ritual — best shared with others.” I will say that taking a true break during the day to disconnect from your tasks and reconnect with someone is necessary. I am still working to make this a daily routine: leaving the office, having a break and connecting. It is hard and will take time, but we are in a place and time in history where we need to work hard to go slow. We should bring a bit of gold gilding back — a bit of sparkle sparks joy! Finally, after visiting two palaces, a royal armory, a historic parliament building and Stockholm’s City Hall, not to mention some beautiful old hotels and department stores, I can confidently say that gold leaf makes me smile. Something about a thoughtful glimmer and strategically placed detail makes you pause and appreciate a place. We should all take a moment in our work to find opportunities that make us smile and know that we can also pass that joy along to others. So, go, take a vacation, take a moment and re-engage with the world. It’s necessary! 7
Editor’s Note BY FRAN PRUYN, CPSM Dear Readers, Reflexion is the journal of the Utah Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. It is a quarterly publication, and I have had the honor of working with the staff and The newsLINK Group to edit it since joining the board in 2021. Some of the ongoing features are our Utah Architectural Legends series, AIA awards, Member and Utah Firm Spotlights, and In Memoriam. Other articles include legislative updates, AIA events, technical advances, marketing, software and professional development. I am always, always, looking for stories that the Utah architectural community will find interesting. I encourage you to reach out to me with articles or just story suggestions. Annually, the president-elect of the Utah Chapter of the American Institute of Architects organizes a conference. The conference is an opportunity for members to gather, network, applaud the AIA Utah award winners, hear the thoughts and experiences of keynote speakers, and gather some needed CEUs. This year’s president-elect, Clio Rayner, and her committee have assembled a great lineup built around the theme “Architects in the Wild. Untamed Design. Uncharted Practice.” The conference will be held at the U of U Garff Executive Education Building, on Thursday, Sept. 25. This issue of Reflexion will detail the conference’s agenda, the background and topics of the speakers, and how and where you can register. Nan Weber and Allen Roberts have been documenting the work of Richard Kletting and are writing a book about his origin story, training and the over 400 buildings he designed in Utah. The article they have contributed to this issue is specifically about his relationship with the Fisher Brewing Company, its history, and the design and construction of the Fisher Mansion in 1893. It is a compelling story about the structure, which is currently undergoing a seismic upgrade. Construction on the North Capitol Building is approaching completion, and the ribbon-cutting is expected prior to the 2026 Legislative Session. It is the last piece of the Capitol Campus Complex that was originally envisioned by Frederick Law Olmsted and complements the other buildings on Capitol Hill. A replacement for the ‘60s State Office Building, the new North Campus Building will house the agencies and offices that were housed in that original facility; additionally, the first two floors will be dedicated to a museum that will tell the Utah State story. If there was any upside to the 2020 earthquake, it was that the landmark Rio Grande Depot is getting the seismic upgrade it needed to be appropriate for public use, and the Utah History Department’s artifacts that were languishing in its less-than-ideal conditions were moved. Tim Glenn, director, Heber Slabbert, AIA, and our friends at VCBO recount the complexity of the design of the North Capitol Building itself as well as the technical requirements of inserting a state-of-the-art museum into the five-story civic building. Other features include an article about Architectural Nexus, a tribute to Greg Beecher, a member spotlight on E.J. Elliott and AIA Utah President Whitney Ward’s architectural observations from her Scandinavian travels. Our ongoing feature on Utah Architectural Legends will return in our next issue. Please make an effort to come to the conference. Check out the details on page 11. Fran Pruyn 8 REFLEXION
Time is valuable, why AIA? Architecture is fundamentally a collaborative profession, and AIA provides the most impactful platform for that collaboration. On an individual level, I focus on supporting younger architects while continuing to seek mentors for my own growth. Through AIA, I can connect with other professionals who share this focus and create a collective impact, like the AIA Golf Committee and AIA’s Student Portfolio Review. That far exceeds what anyone could achieve alone. Favorite Utah space, built or natural: Fifth Water Hot Spring. It’s my reset button between skiing, biking and every other way I find myself going up and down the mountains. There’s something restorative about soaking in the natural pools and letting yourself be still for a moment. Favorite Book: “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley. Mantra: Change is constant. E.J. Elliott Associate at Elliott Workgroup MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 9
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Architects in the Wild. Untamed Design. Uncharted Practice. Thursday, Sept. 25 U of U Garff Executive Education Building, Fourth Floor *Free parking is available, and the building is located close to Trax. The role of architects has evolved, expanding what it means to be an architect, the ways we can contribute to our communities, and the voices and perspectives our profession must represent. Our conference is a celebration of the future of the profession with sessions designed to encourage this growth, increase our impact and facilitate change. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Opening Keynote Jonathan Garnett Celebrating diverse voices: Jonathan will provide insight through his personal and professional experience, focusing on his unique cultural, geographic and professional experience. He will also work with U of U students after the session. 9:30-10:15 a.m. Registration and Snacks 10:15-11:15 a.m. “A Diversity of Roles for AI in Architectural Practice” Randy Deutsch Embracing changing practice: Randy will discuss how AI can be leveraged to enhance our design and practice, including the ethics of its use and how it can impact architects at any stage in their careers. 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. “Architects and Advocacy” Shawn Benjamin, AIA Utah Government Affairs Committee Chair Steve Hiatt, AIA Utah Lobbyist Increasing impact: This panel will describe how architects can engage with government personally and as members of AIA Utah to be heard, provide insight and expertise, and balance personal and professional goals. 12:15-1:15 p.m. Lunch and AIA Utah Annual Meeting AIA Utah Conference Agenda 1:15-1:30 p.m. Break 1:30-2:30 p.m. “Architect by Day, Community Force by Night” Panel Discussion Moderator: Libby Haslam, Associate Professor for the University of Utah Panel: Jason Wheeler, Executive Director at ASSIST Inc. Community Design Center Soonju Kwon, Artist for Soonju Kwon Art Studio Darin Mano, Salt Lake City Council Member, District 5, Sophia Malik, Founder of Malik Office of Architecture and Development Expanding definitions: In the changing world, stepping outside of the definition of what an architect is can benefit your practice and increase your passion. This panel engages professional architects that have taken a step beyond their daily practice into the realms of advocacy, art, education, politics and development in a conversation about the challenges and opportunities they have found just beyond the horizon. 2:30-3:30 p.m. “The Architect’s Role in Affordable, Attainable Housing” Panel Discussion Craig Elliott, AIA Utah Affordable Housing Task Force Chair Jeff Pastva, FAIA, CPHC Laura Hanson, Senior Advisor for Long-Range Planning Utah Governor’s Office Moira Dillow, Analyst, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute Rethinking limitations: This panel will explore how architects can support the creation of affordable attainable housing through code, zoning, land use and financial advocacy and knowledge to help support creative problem solving around this complex issue. 3:30-4:00 p.m. Break 4:00-5:00 p.m. Closing Keynote: “Design for Meaning: Breaking the Bonds of Physicality” Wendy Evans Joseph Evolving career path: Wendy will discuss the varied and progressive nature of her career path and how that journey benefited her life and work. Architecture Awards 5:00-6:00 p.m. Architecture Awards Reception 6:00-7:30 p.m. AIA Utah Architecture Awards Scan the QR code to register today! https://aiautah.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1947877 11
Jonathan Garnett Jonathan Garnett is a founder and creative partner at Modellus Novus (MN), where he oversees creative direction for a range of the firm’s architecture and design projects, as well as its external and internal initiatives. He is responsible for establishing, evolving and tailoring the firm’s design processes, priorities and principles in coordination with business development, financial and organizational strategies. Jonathan was fundamentally shaped when he spent summers working with a nonprofit design firm in Detroit that provided design-build services to underrepresented communities and community organizations invested in improving the quality of life in that city. A native of Oakland, California, and of Black and Japanese descent, he received his Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, with concentrations in industrial design and graphic design from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He also studied at the Technical University at Delft in the Netherlands and received his Master of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles. Previously, he worked at Detroit Collaborative Design Center in Detroit, George Yu Architects in Los Angeles and Open Office in New York. After spending years overseeing the construction of projects he designed, while also making furnishings and objects with his hands, Jonathan learned what kind of creative leader he wanted to be. He imbues those values in his daily work with the project teams at MN. Keynote Speakers Randy Deutsch, FAIA, LEED AP Randy Deutsch FAIA, LEED AP, served as the associate director for Graduate Studies until 2019 and is a clinical associate professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, teaching and conducting research in design, design futures, professional practice, building technology and digital technology. Randy is an international keynote speaker — of over 100 times, workshop leader, AI researcher and design technology authority. An architect responsible for the design of over 100 large, complex sustainable projects, Randy has been an Exec Ed program leader at Harvard GSD, has written for DesignIntelligence and has been featured in ARCHITECT Magazine and Architectural Record. Randy previously served on the AIA Chicago board as director and vice president; on ARCHITECT Magazine’s 2018 R+D jury and AIA National Architecture 2023 Awards jury. Randy is the author of six books including “Superusers: Design Technology Specialists and the Future of Practice” (2019), “Convergence: The Redesign of Design” (2017) on the nature of the ongoing convergence of technology and work processes in the profession and industry; “Data Driven Design and Construction: Strategies for Capturing, Analyzing and Applying Building Data” (2015) on the innovative individuals and firms who are leveraging data to advance their practices; and, “BIM and Integrated Design: Strategies for Architectural Practice” (2011, translated to Mandarin in 2018). Randy’s most recent books and audiobooks were published in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, Randy’s team received an NSF Grant and a DPI Seed Grant for planning a first-of-its-kind institute for the application of AI in design, construction and operations of buildings and infrastructure. In 2020, Randy was elevated to Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council. Since 2018, he has served on the University of Arizona CAPLA Futures Council and co-founded the Built Environment Futures Council (BEFC), advancing the discourse and opportunities for AI in architecture, design and construction. 12 REFLEXION
Wendy Evans Joseph, FAIA, LEED AP Wendy Evans Joseph, FAIA, LEED AP, is the founder of Studio Joseph, an architectural firm specializing in cultural projects and museum installations. With a deep passion for art, culture and education, she has established herself as a leading figure in expertise design and community architecture. At Studio Joseph, Wendy sets the vision for each project based on narrative and broader societal values with a commitment to equity, sustainable thinking and community. Under her leadership, Studio Joseph maintains a diverse portfolio of impactful public, institutional and cultural projects that have been highly recognized. Her firm works with diverse institutions to create immersive environments that foster shared learning and engagement, bringing a strong conceptual underpinning to form, materiality and spatial design. Recent projects include a Pet Adoption Center in Harlem, “Sculpting History” at the Valentine Museum in Richmond, inaugural installations at the new MIT Museum and a welcome center at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Wendy’s contributions to the design community extend beyond her exceptional practice. She holds a Rome Prize in Architecture from the American Academy in Rome, is an Academician of the National Academy of Design, a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and a Fellow of the Society of Experiential Designers (SEGD). As a firm believer in the role of architects in advocating for a sustainable, beautiful public realm, she is actively involved in professional leadership. She has held esteemed positions such as president of the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, chairman of the AIA National Committee of Design, president of the Architectural League of New York and president of the National Academy of Design. Wendy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master’s in Architecture with distinction from Harvard University. Reach out today and let’s talk about your next project. ALDERS.COM A Leading Distributor of Specialty Building Materials Stay up to date from your couch, office or even the moon! TAKE US ANYWHERE! Place a 1” x 1” QR Code White on Black Here to the main website Scan to read the most recent publication. 13
Dear Architect is a work in progress. The advice column was the brainchild of a leadership conference. The “architect” is actually a committee of professionals who vet the questions and contribute to the answers. They are technical and non-technical people at various stages of their careers. They come from small, medium and large firms with local, regional and national presence. All the contributors are involved with the Utah AIA Board or its committees. As with any advice column, the answers are typically well informed, but not necessarily definitive. There is plenty of opportunity for discussion, and the Dear Architect Committee has had some spirited conversations about the “right answer.” Originally, the answers were simpler and shorter, and the questions were more business and marketing-related. The questions are becoming longer and more technical, and the answers are becoming longer, and perhaps something that will require more than a short read. In other words, this column is a work in progress. To improve, we need to hear from our members about questions that arise or persist in your practice. Each email has a link for posing queries. And … if you want to join our team of “Dear Architect,” please just let us know. We welcome all perspectives. The following are the questions that have been addressed over the past seven months on a weekly basis. The archived answers can be found by scanning the QR code. https://aiautah.org/page/DearArchitect We encourage you to browse through them and draw your own conclusions. Dear Architect is disseminated through the AIA Utah email blast platform: Constant Contact (not the easiest format in world). As a result, in June, we moved from a weekly to a monthly column to take the load off our AIA staff but are continuing to collect and answer questions. Dear Architect Past Dear Architect Topics Nov. 5, 2024 • Why should I submit for a design award? They cost money and a lot of time, and time is money, and we haven’t won one yet. • How do I stop my PIC from going after jobs we can’t possibly get? • How much time should I spend on the design phase of a project without going broke? Nov. 12, 2024 • How should I choose engineering consultants when none of them are exclusive and all of them seem capable? • Do I really need to hire a professional marketer? • How do you feel about holiday cards or gifts to clients/others? Nov. 19, 2024 • Is there a formula for building a project budget by phase? Nov. 26, 2024 • What role does the Historic Landmarks Commission serve in Salt Lake? Is this a powerful body? • Is work/life balance really a thing in architecture? Dec. 3, 2024 • I am a small firm, do I need to specialize in a market sector? • Why do I need to specialize in a large firm when they seem to do everything? Dec. 11, 2024 • Should we do client perception surveys? » Who should do them? » Wait! “Train them.” What does that mean? » When should I do one? Dec. 17, 2024 • What do I do if a client refuses to pay invoices? • Is there a good reason to do pro bono work other than altruism? Jan. 7, 2025 • Do net-zero projects really achieve net zero? Jan. 14, 2025 • What do I say to a client who wants to know why they need an architect for a small- to medium-sized renovation? • How do I vet a client I have never worked with previously? 14 REFLEXION
Jan. 21, 2025 • Why do condominium projects pose more risk than apartment projects? • I work for a manufacturer. What is the best way to connect with the designers and specifiers to highlight offerings and build a working relationship beyond answering production information and technical questions? Jan. 28, 2025 • Should I get licensed? Feb. 4, 2025 • How do I enforce deadlines? Feb. 12, 2025 • What are the most important bills to watch during the legislative session right now? Feb. 18, 2025 • Will Utah sign the Multi-Lateral Agreement for Reciprocity with Canada, as part of the licensure bill or otherwise? • Since the Trump administration is focused on shrinking the government workforce, what changes should we look for in federal work and procurement? Feb. 25, 2025 • How can we prepare for the anticipated aluminum and steel tariffs’ impact on our projects? March 4, 2025 • What is the protocol regarding the transfer of a PIC to another firm who is in competition? March 11, 2025 • How can architects use AI to be more productive in their jobs? March 18, 2025 • What is the best method or software to track architectural projects? March 25, 2025 • What are the best books to read for architects this year? April 1, 2025 • What will it take for the entire project team to work within the same documentation, models, parameters, etc. to make for a truly collaborative approach that brings out the best from the A/E/C industry? April 8, 2025 • What are some of the untraditional paths to architectural licensure in Utah? April 15, 2025 • What blogs should I be following? April 22, 2025 • A lot of folks have been forecasting an economic downtown for some time. In the last couple of weeks, the voices have gotten louder; Governor Cox has asked for a recession plan. What can we do? April 29, 2025 • Utah has faced an affordable housing shortage for some time. What is at the heart of the issue, and what role can architects play to address the issue? May 6, 2025 • Nationally, the demand for architectural services seems to be softening. Diversifying your markets always helps mitigate economic downturns, but with a potential recession looming, is it really a good time to break into a new architectural market in Utah? May 13, 2025 • Construction costs are getting higher and higher. What is driving it? How do I explain it to clients? May 20, 2025 • Can architects do anything to combat high Utah construction costs? May 27, 2025 • It is common knowledge that Utah has air quality challenges. What can architects do with design to improve it? June 3, 2025 • What is the latest in architectural biophilic design? July 1, 2025 • Holding an office and/or sitting on an AIA board is very time consuming. Why should I bother? August 4, 2025 • What is the current architectural job market like in Utah? 15
Richard K.A. Kletting and the Fisher Mansion BY NAN WEBER, ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN Fisher Brewery Office, Utah Historical Society detail Richard K.A. Kletting, an architect, has a name synonymous with several well-known buildings, including the Utah State Capitol. He was, in fact, the designer of well over 400 projects in Utah and the surrounding states. Born in Unterboihingen, Oberamt Nürtingen, Württemberg, Germany, in 1858, he was the son of a railroad contractor and the stepson of another. He trained early in life to cut stone. Kletting states in a memoir, “Most buildings in Württemberg at that time were built of stone. I was told that it would be a nice thing for me to learn how to cut soft and hard stone. Following this advice, I spent my vacation between school terms in a stone yard and gained a good knowledge of how to cut the different stones.”1 Kletting’s interest in design came early in his childhood. When questioned about his early years, he often told the story that his boyhood toys included mechanics’ tools and drafting instruments. Although Kletting’s family moved frequently, his parents always made it possible for him to receive private instruction from experienced teachers. Through those instructors, he was educated and trained in the classics, engineering and architecture. His studies included geometry, physics, mechanics, drafting and various fundamentals of architecture. Notebooks that Kletting kept are filled with drawings of floor plans, elevations, molding details and brick patterns accompanied by copious notes. By 1874, when he was just 16 years old, Kletting obtained a position as a junior draftsman with the ever-expanding German railroad. During the year he worked in this capacity, it served as an apprenticeship and improved his drafting skills. Following several more years of study, 20-year-old Kletting was awarded two professional projects. The state of Württemberg was finishing a railroad between Stuttgart and Freudenstadt, and Kletting was working as a draftsman in the Freudenstadt engineer’s office. The first project he obtained was designing part of a new city plan and a two-mile-long roadway from the railway depot to the town of Freudenstadt. Kletting’s second project saw him in Lauterach, Bregenz, Austria, where he spent a short time working on a Roman Catholic Parish Church. Of the work, he says in his memoir, “I also spent a few months at Bregenz (Austria) on a church project for the city of Laut(e)rach.”2 He was working under architects Josef Anton Albrich and Alois Hagen. In the spring of 1879, young Kletting made a move to Paris. His arrival there launched his architectural education and began his evolution into a career as a designer. He was employed as a draftsman and stone mason on at least six of the City of Light’s most impressive Second Empire and Beaux Arts monuments. Those included Crédit Lyonnais, Le Bon Marché, Basilica Sacre Coeur, the Paris City Hall — now better known as the L’Hotel de Ville, the Comptoir National d’Escompte and the Printemps. 16 REFLEXION
He also served his one year of military service, which was mandatory for all young men in Germany. During this service, Richard was instructed to draw competitive plans for military activities. His creative plans won him a first-place award.3 Early in 1883, Kletting followed his brother, Oscar, to the United States and they both traveled westward, settling in Utah in 1883. The day after he arrived in Salt Lake City, Richard was hired by architect John Haven Burton, and together they provided architectural designs for two of the territory’s largest projects — the Insane Asylum in Provo and the University of Deseret in the Capitol City. A gifted prodigy of boundless ambition, Kletting soon created his own firm, started a night school and reorganized the Territorial Library. All these activities brought Kletting into contact with future clients. He began designing everything from commercial buildings to residential homes to ecclesiastical buildings. One of those clients was fellow German, Albert Fisher, a master brewer for the Salt Lake Brewing Company. Fisher was intent on creating his own brewing company, and with Courtesy Utah Historical Society Photo from Nan Weber the backing of Aaron Keyser, he did just that. By 1884, Fisher had bought 15 acres of land bordering the Jordan River on 200 South in the western part of Salt Lake City. Kletting began by designing structures for the brewery itself. He continued with additions and alterations as Albert expanded the operation. By 1912, Kletting created a six-room brick office. It housed a lobby, bookkeeping room, two offices, an employee’s lobby, a restroom and a vault. It featured large windows, Kletting’s signature skylight, maple flooring, and metal and oak fixtures. The Fisher office building was designed in the then-modern Prairie Style. The brewery closed during state and national Prohibition but reopened after the repeal in 1934. The brewery’s glory days were between 1934 and 1955. In 1955, Fisher Brewery began a corporate relationship with Lucky Lager of California and, in 1957, was officially sold. Lucky Lager began to expand the brewery and by the fall of 1960, the Fisher name was removed. Lucky Lager became the General Brewing Company in 1963 and closed the Salt Lake City brewery in 1967. Fisher trusted Kletting’s design and construction prowess when, in 1893, he employed Kletting to design a mansion for his family on the brewery land. Albert and Alma Fisher raised their children in this home. In 1901, Kletting designed a carriage house to accompany the mansion. It was later converted to accommodate cars. Although Albert Fisher died in 1917, Alma continued to manage her family and a vigorous real estate business from home. Several family members took over the brewery business, led by the oldest son, Frank. 17
second stairway is provided. The basement is mostly used for storage and mechanical spaces. Including its semi-finished basement and attic, the dwelling is four levels tall. Given the mansion’s several uses and years of vacancy, it is fortunate that its character has been substantially retained. Behind the mansion is the Fisher Carriage House, which was also built of stone and brick in a similar style but was not constructed until 1901. Like the mansion, it features a hip roof, bracketed eaves, ventilating dormers and a projecting front wing. Above its main floor rooms is a single, large, second-story space. This was originally a hay loft but is now available for adaptive functions. Following designs prepared by CRSA, the carriage house was recently renovated and put to new uses, including city offices. CRSA prepared an extensive Historic Structures Report to guide the eventual restoration of the mansion in the hope that its owner, Salt Lake City, would find viable uses for the building. At the time of this writing, the City is using a $3 million bond to fund a seismic upgrade of the structure, which was slightly damaged during a recent earthquake. This project is being completed by GSBS and its engineers. A nonprofit advocacy and support organization, Friends of the Fisher Mansion, has recently completed a master plan, prepared by Bim Oliver, to guide the remaining processes and advance the Fisher Mansion restoration and reuse project. 1. Encyclopedia of American Biography 1947. 2. Ibid. 3. Ibid. Members of the Fisher family lived in this Victorian Eclectic mansion until the 1940s, when it was deeded to the Salt Lake Catholic Diocese and became a convent housing Our Lady Queen of Peace and Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters. By 1973, the Diocese used it to offer a home and counseling for independent living to homeless men with alcohol and drug abuse problems. As many as 40 men were fed and counseled, and up to 25 residents were housed in the attic dormitory (once the servants’ quarters). The men’s labor included work-crew tasks in contract landscaping. On site, they kept the mansion’s masonry and woodwork in repair and landscaped the grounds. A 9:00 p.m. curfew was meticulously adhered to. In 2006, Salt Lake City purchased the Fisher Mansion from the Catholic Diocese. Remarkably constructed during the national financial panic of 1893, the Fisher Mansion is unlike any of Richard Kletting’s other large residences. During his over 40-year career, Kletting masterfully designed nearly 450 projects, including 50 types of buildings in 30 different architectural styles. Given its key elements, the eclectic Fisher Mansion leans towards Victorian Italianate or Second Renaissance Revival in style. This is due to its hip roof with deep eaves, its rounded, wrap-around porch, curved bay windows and classical detailing, including its bracketed cornice, foliated fascia, carved stone capitals and descriptive cartouches — a signature Kletting feature. Its original exterior doors, transomed windows, ornamental wood and stone trim are intact, although the stone is deteriorated in places. The Fisher Mansion’s interior is mostly intact in its major rooms. The hardwood floors, fancy casework, stairways, fireplaces and even some light fixtures remain on the main and second floors. The west living room has been altered and the home’s rear additions were not designed to be compatible with the exterior architecture. The partially finished, open attic space has the potential to host sizable events if a 18 REFLEXION
Architectural Nexus A Fusion that Works Architectural firms frequently buy or absorb other firms, but a true merger is something special. Architectural Nexus (Arch Nexus) was formed in 2003 when Jensen Haslem Architects and Thomas Peterson Hammond Architects decided that they no longer wanted to compete against each other, but to form a new entity using their compatible operational systems and corporate values to pursue larger, more complex projects. The union was remarkably successful. In 2025, Arch Nexus is comprised of approximately 100 professionals, in offices in Salt Lake City and Sacramento, working on projects throughout the Intermountain West. Robb Harrop is the president of Arch Nexus and was with Jensen Haslem prior to the merger. He said that the merger positioned the firm to be awarded the thought-rich projects that define the firm. Their legacy clients now include the Huntsman Cancer Institute, St. Luke’s Foundation in Idaho, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake County and federal clients like Hill Air Force Base. “We have been blessed with opportunities. Everything we do is geared toward making the experience meaningful for the clients, users and us,” said Robb. The values that the firm uses to guide its operations are: • Inspiration: Everything we do should be inspiring for the users. • Stewardship: We are responsible for our clients’ resources, positioning them for success. • Regeneration: We work the sustainable way; businesses and companies extend beyond themselves. “Culture has always been front and center of who we are. We are people-driven. We believe we do outstanding projects because we work with amazing people. When people are passionate about what they do, it spreads across all aspects of the disciplines,” Robb said. Arch Nexus leadership explains how that plays out in real-time, with real clients. Thomas Peterson Hammond and Jensen Haslem both had a healthcare market focus, and this commonality was one of the motivations for their union. Huntsman Cancer Institute has been a long-term Arch Nexus client. Don Finlayson explained how that began in his “Legends” interview: “At the Huntsman Cancer Hospital, we had an opportunity to start from scratch and do healthcare the right way. Working with me was a physician, Joe Simone, who was vital to the development of the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the director of the hospital. And we laid out some principles: We said the patient comes first. And throughout the design process, we would ask that question, ‘What’s best for the patient?’ And what you see when you visit that facility is our take on what was best for the patient, even if that made the assignments for those who work there a little bit more difficult.” Although their portfolio extends into many markets, healthcare is still a strong suit of the firm. Arch Nexus now has a three-decades old relationship with the Huntsman Cancer Institute, and Robb and Lisa Whoolery (Arch Nexus’ board chair) say that relationship is built on skills, service and truth-telling. Robb adds, “Huntsman believes that we know what their mission is, and that we can deliver the critical architectural infrastructure that the staff relies upon to deliver their services. The comprehensive facility, as well as the pleasant environment, provides the patients more optimism in their journey through a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment.” Robb, who is a cancer survivor himself, said, “I saw first-hand the experience of what it meant to realize John Huntsman’s vision, from the patient’s standpoint: It is a daunting mountain of unknowns. When you go to a facility like Huntsman, and see the effort, money and research that is also expressed through beautiful architecture, you think, ‘Yeah, I have a partner who can help me beat this, help give me answers to some really big questions.’” Adam Garcia Alta Calcagno Brian Cassil Lisa Garlick Lisa Whoolery Rachel Sittler Robb Harrop 19
Alta Calcagno, an Arch Nexus project manager, tells a similar story about a very different client she was honored to serve: the Hill Aerospace Museum at Hill Air Force Base in Roy, Utah. Arch Nexus remodeled the institution’s original galleries and added new galleries for aircraft. Like Robb and Huntsman, Alta has a personal connection to the client and its mission. Her father-in-law was a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War, and her husband was a hospital corpsman for the Navy. “Some military installations have an uneasy relationship with their host cities, but the Hill Aerospace Museum helps Hill Air Force Base to make a positive connection to the surrounding community. The renovation project was a great effort.” The process involved servicepeople, civilian personnel, family members and volunteers. They are proud of the museums and its mission and wanted to honor the men and women who built, flew and serviced these aircraft. The new gallery brought aircraft languishing on the museum grounds to exhibit and preserve them. “These are samples of airplanes that our grandfathers (and sometimes grandmothers) flew, often in foreign wars. The museum creates a legacy for these veterans and passes their stories onto the next generation,” said Alta. The Hill Aerospace Museum is free of charge for all visitors. Green Design While most architectural firms are invested, at least to some degree, in environmentally responsible architecture and sustainable design, Arch Nexus has taken this mantra to extraordinary levels. They routinely design buildings that go beyond conventional green building practices and focus on how a building interacts with and supports its surrounding ecosystem. Project Manager Rachel Sittler says this focus drew her to Arch Nexus while she was still in school and keeps her there. “Just today, we had an in-house training on how AI impacts the environment.” Their regular “Green Minutes” trainings address current green strategies for designing buildings using sustainable approaches and materials that go beyond minimizing harm and give back to the environment. Arch Nexus works with clients to infuse sustainable design into its projects to the highest degree feasible within the program and the budget. Arch Nexus’ energy-efficient projects include libraries, healthcare facilities, schools and commercial facilities. Walking the Walk The Arch Nexus Design Center, Arch Nexus’ Salt Lake Office, is emblematic of this deep commitment to sustainable design. Located at 2505 E. Parley’s Way, the building was an existing fitness center, with lots of potential for flexibility given its high ceilings, wide bays and open plan. Already a very green building, the Design Center was renovated to be certified by Living Future. For more information about the building, scan the QR code. https://living-future.org/ case-studies/architecturalnexus-salt-lake-city/ Rachel said, “We attract individuals who are very sustainability centric. When we remodeled this office in 2020 and our office in Sacramento, the renovations were about people living in living buildings. Now we operate in two of the greenest buildings in the world, and we can share it with clients. We are working in a lab, and we can demonstrate what works well and what needs improvement.” Key features of the Platinum LEED-certified building include: • Energy Efficiency: This building is 35% better than the national median. • Water Conservation: The building minimizes water use. Greywater is used for toilet flushing and the interior irrigation of the five living walls. A 2,500-gallon rainwater cistern was installed on site, and rainwater is used for clothes washers and exterior irrigation. Stormwater runoff is managed with a swale. • Material Sourcing: Whenever possible, Arch Nexus sources materials locally, and reused much of the material from the renovation onsite. • Indoor Environmental Quality: The design maximizes natural light, ventilation and healthy indoor air quality. Culture and Succession Brian Cassil, Arch Nexus’ Director of Communications, who has been with the firm for 28 years, says, “Mentoring is a big part of our culture. We have to replenish the firm by growing the firm.” The staff of a successful architectural practice must know how to put together a building, provide great design services and effectively serve clients. Over time, this develops a design portfolio that in turn develops sustainable market segments. New hires can’t learn all they need to know about the profession in school or through an employee handbook. Robb said, “There are certain things that take time to learn in this industry. We try to learn what people are passionate 20 REFLEXION
about. What would you do for free? If you can tap into what they are good at, and if you can find a place to develop their passion, they will be successful, and we will be successful. That can be design, people, management.” Within the office, Arch Nexus has a neighborhood structure that is intended to encourage professional development. Each of these neighborhoods is built around workspace proximity. They are no bigger than 25 people, and each has a neighborhood leader. The leader is tasked with being attentive to the professional development of the staff members in their neighborhood. They know what they are working on; they meet weekly to assess how they are developing. Are they engaged in work that is fulfilling? What are their frustrations? How can those be fixed? Additionally, Brian says to enhance continuing education and professional development there are “trainings, food, sketch trips, design discussions, staff meetings, project managers’ meetings, project architects’ meetings and neighborhood lunches — a lot of fun. We just finished our annual reviews that were focused on self-improvement: What are we doing well, what can we do better?” Robb believes that the Arch Nexus’s culture is all about “uplifting one another, not competing against one another. What can I do and what can others do to lift each other up?” As a business, this also demands finding a way to provide professional development and financial security for the staff, so that the company endures after leaders retire. One way that Arch Nexus ensures successful succession is through an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) Lisa Garlick, a 30-year veteran of Arch Nexus, is the company’s Chief Financial Officer. She says, “The ESOP is a profound expression of the firm’s values. We founded the ESOP in 2006. Prior to that, we had standard corporate buy-in, and it took time to fully implement the plan. We became 100% employee-owned in 2019. Now, every single person is building ownership and equity in the firm. That builds loyalty, commitment and regeneration amongst company leaders.” Beyond the obvious financial rewards, Arch Nexus’ leadership believe that the ESOP encourages the staff to think and act like owners. As a result, all their leaders are home-grown. “It is hard to imagine a new senior partner would come in, because of the culture, which ensures progression and easy succession,” said Robb. Arch Nexus is home to a diverse workforce representing a wide range of nationalities and backgrounds. Adam Garcia is a very experienced project manager, but a newer staff member. An associate, Adam, is a remote employee managing a project in Boise. “I periodically visit the offices and see a lot of innovation — thinking outside the box. I see things that I didn’t see in other firms. We all learn at the same pace and contribute as we learn. It is gratifying to see hard work pay off. I have never felt less or different. Everyone has a stake in the firm, and I have always felt like one of the elites.” Rachel said, “We deliberately converted all our private offices to collaboration spaces. There are no private offices, and all desks are the same as the next. That fosters the horizontal structure.” Also, by encouraging employee participation in professional organizations that spur growth through continuing education and networking, Arch Nexus sends the message that each employee’s professional journey is important and that licensure is attainable. In addition to the AIA, Women in Architecture (WIA) and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) help people have their voices heard, no matter the language they are speaking. When asked how they think other professionals and their clients perceive them, three responses were: Brian Cassil: “I like to think of us a great place to work where one can grow their career. Great people working in a great company crafting great projects.” Lisa Whoolery: “We are trusted advisors for our clients. Our relationships are evident by our repeat work. None of us started those long-term clients. We inherited them and we will pass them on.” Robb Harrop: “We embrace stewardship by sharing our expertise and knowledge with clients, tackling complex projects with skill and helping them achieve successful projects.” 21
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