State Architects of Ohio

History

Public Works was originally a Board formed for the purpose of building and maintaining Ohio's canal transportation system. Created in 1921, the Office of the State Architect and Engineer was originally established in the Department of Highways and Public Works, located in the Ohio-Hartman Building, formerly the Hartman Hotel, at 275 South Fourth Street. It was listed as the Division of Public Lands and Buildings in the 1923 Columbus City Directory. In 1927, the Department was split between Highways and Public Works. In 1930, the office was listed as the Division of Architects and Engineers in the Department of Public Works, and in 1933 moved to the new Departments of State Building, now the Ohio Judicial Center, at 65 South Front Street.

In 1974, Public Works was "demoted" to a Division when the departments of Finance, State Personnel, and Public Works were reorganized into the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and the Office of Budget and Management, and moved to the new State Office Tower, subsequently named for Governor James A. Rhodes, at 30 East Broad Street. It became an office in the General Services Division (GSD) of DAS in 1995, and the office moved to the General Services Center at 4200 Surface Road. After being located downtown since its inception, the office moved to the West side of Columbus just inside the I-270 outerbelt. For a short period of time in the late 1990s, it was known as the Office of Construction Management.

Prior to the establishment of the Office of the State Architect and Engineer in 1921, the individual state Boards engaged outside architects and contractors to serve their construction needs on an ad hoc basis. Consolidation of authority in one agency allowed for consistency of policy and procedure, as well as standardized contracts and conditions. The Administrative Act of 1921 provided an architectural expert employed by the state, which allowed centralized planning and administration. In 1921, the only agency exempt from central administration was the Adjutant General. Over the years, this authority has eroded significantly, and the institutions of higher education have had varying degrees of interaction with the office.

On April 25, 2012, the Ohio House passed House Bill 487, the Governor's Mid-Biennium Budget Review Bill. On May 16, it was approved by the Senate. The House moved it to a Conference Committee on May 17, 2012. House Bill 487 will merge the State Architect's Office with the Ohio School Facilities Commission to form the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. Ninety-one days after the Governor's signature, the State Architect's Office will no longer exist.

List of architects

This section lists the known State Architects for the State of Ohio since the office was established by the Administrative Act of 1921.

Robert S. Harsh

Col. Robert Stemple Harsh, AIA, of Worthington, Ohio, served as State Architect and Engineer from July 1921 to January 1924 during the administration of Governors Harry L. Davis (1921–1923) and A. Victor Donahey (1923–1929). Mr. Harsh was born on March 28, 1888 in Coshocton, Ohio, and graduated from South High School in Cleveland in June 1906. He was graduated from the Ohio State University in June 1911 with a Civil Engineering in Architecture Degree.

Robert Stemple Harsh was elected a member of the American Institute of Architects and its Columbus Chapter in 1942, and remained a member until 1948. Mr. Harsh was also a member of the American Legion, the Reserve Officers Association, and a 32nd Degree Mason. He died on November 24, 1952.

Herbert B. Briggs

Herbert Bruce Briggs, AIA, of Cleveland, Ohio, served as State Architect and Engineer from January 1, 1924 to July 10, 1929 during the administration of Governor A. Victor Donahey (1923–1929). Mr. Briggs was born at Sharon Center in Medina County, Ohio, and attended high school at Sharon High School and Buchtel Preparatory School in Akron, Ohio, graduating in June 1885. He was graduated from Buchtel College, now the University of Akron, with a Bachelor of Science in June 1889.

Herbert B. Briggs was elected a member of the American Institute of Architects and its Cleveland Chapter in 1912, and remained a member until 1931. He served as president of the Cleveland Chapter, and as secretary and president of the Ohio State Association of Architects. Mr. Briggs died in November 1936.

Mr. Briggs designed a number of significant public buildings during his tenure as State Architect including the original BGSU Library Building dedicated on November 19, 1927, now known as McFall Hall, at Bowling Green State University.

T. Ralph Ridley

Thomas Ralph Ridley served as State Architect and Engineer from July 10, 1929 to October 1, 1931, in the administration of Governor Myers Y. Cooper (1929–1931). He was born on September 2, 1883 at Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, England, and attended private school from 1895 through 1898. He attended Prince Albert Memorial College in Suffolk from September 4, 1899 to May 20, 1901. Afterward, he was the pupil of John S. Corder, Architect, at Ipswitch from August 1, 1902 through July 31, 1904, at which time he received his Articles of Qualification (to practice architecture). He also spent two years as a pupil in the Borough Surveyor's Office at Bury St. Edmonds on building inspection, sewage disposal, and road construction.

John P. Schooley

John Palmer Schooley, Sr., AIA, of Zanesville, Ohio, served as State Architect & Engineer from October 1, 1931 to 1940 in the administrations of Governors George White (1931–1935), Martin L. Davey (1935–1939), and John W. Bricker (1939–1945). Mr. Schooley was born in Zanesville, Ohio, on May 28, 1899, and attended Lash High School and from September 1, 1914 to May 20, 1918, and graduated in June of that year. He attended the course in architecture at Kenyon College from January 1919 to June 1920. Mr. Schooley then attended Ohio State University from September 20, 1920 through June 15, 1923 and was graduated with a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering.

John P. Schooley, Sr., was a member of the American Institute of Architects from 1942 until his death on July 28, 1966. He was also a member of the Southern Ohio Engineering League.

Robert B. Schildknecht

Robert Brainerd Schildknecht, AIA, of Cincinnati served as State Architect & Engineer circa 1940 to 1942 in the administration of Governor John W. Bricker (1939–1945). Mr. Shildknecht was born on April 8, 1906 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended Hughes High School from September 13, 1920 through June 20, 1924, and graduated on June 13, 1924. He attended the Architecture program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology from October 4, 1920 through June 10, 1930, and was graduated with a Bachelor of Science on June 10, 1930.

Robert Brainerd Shildknecht was a member of the American Institute of Architects and its Cincinnati Chapter from 1941 to 1963. As State Architect, he designed the State Health Laboratory at The Ohio State University in 1940. He died on March 24, 1977.

Thomas E. Brand

Thomas Earl Brand, AIA, of Bexley, Ohio, served as State Architect and Engineer circa 1943 to 1944 in the administration of Governor John W. Bricker (1939–1945). Mr. Brand was born on January 13, 1895 in Portsmouth, Ohio, and attended Portsmouth High School from September 1908 through June 1912, when he graduated. He attended Ohio State University from February 9, 1915 through June 1918, and was graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture.

On October 29, 1923, he began service to the Office of the State Architect and Engineer as designer, field superintendent, estimator, and specification writer. After leaving state service, he was a partner with the father and son team of Charles L. Inscho and C. Curtiss Inscho at the frim of Inscho, Brand & Inscho in Columbus.

Thomas Earl Brand was a member of the American Institute of Architects from 1942 until his death on December 17, 1950. He served as vice president of the Columbus Chapter of the American Institute of Architects from 1944 to 1945.

Floyd F. Glass

Floyd Fellows Glass, AIA, of Upper Arlington, Ohio, served as Consulting Architect circa 1947 to 1948 in the administration of Governor Thomas J. Herbert (1947–1949).

Mr. Glass was born on June 24, 1892 in Flushing, Ohio, and graduated from Flushing High School in May 1911. In 1919 he formed a partnership with architect Edwin W. Glass and they were working together until at least 1921. He attended Ohio State University. Floyd Fellows Glass was a member of the American Institute of Architects and its Columbus Chapter from 1944 to 1960.

H. G. Allen

Harry Gillium Allen, AIA, (1889- ) of Columbus, Ohio, served as Consulting State Architect circa 1948 to 1958 in the administrations of Governors Frank J. Lausche (1949–1957) and C. William O'Neill (1957–1959).

Harry Gillium Allen was a member of the American Institute of Architects from 1949 to 1959. In the 1956 American Architects Directory, he lists his present occupation as "Con. State Archt. & Eng., State of Ohio."

Carl E. Bentz

Major Carl Ellsworth Bentz, FAIA, of Columbus, Ohio, served as State Architect from February 15, 1958 to January 1978 during the administrations of Governors C. William O'Neill (1957–1959), Michael V. DiSalle (1959–1963), Jim Rhodes (1963–1971), John J. Gilligan (1971–1975), and the second administration of James Rhodes (1975–1983).

Mr. Bentz was born January 8, 1911 in Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from West High School, Class of 1929. Attended Ohio State University School of Architecture with an additional major in fine arts; a recipient of Honorary in Tau Sigma Delta, Architecture and Allied Arts; second-place award Ryerson Scholarship; scholarship award to Columbia University of Masters Degree, which he refused. Upon graduation in 1935 he was awarded The American Institute of Architects Medal for Student Excellence.

During World War II, he became Associate Architect to the firm of Jennings and Lawrence Engineers on the design and construction of the Ravenna Ordnance Depot at Ravenna, Ohio, in 1940. He entered the Army Corps of Engineers as 1st Lieutenant and Port Engineer at Ravenna in 1942, then as Captain was reassigned to Erie Proving Ground as Post Engineer until September 24, 1946, at which time he was awarded The Commendation Medal as a Major, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After the war, he returned to Columbus in 1946 to become a partner in the firm of Tibbals-Crumley-Musson, Architects.

Mr. Bentz was elected to membership in the American Institute of Architects and its Columbus Chapter on June 6, 1942. He was elevated to Fellowship in 1968 for Public Service. He became a Member Emeritus on May 11, 1978, and remained so until his death on May 6, 1997. He received the Cornerstone Award in 1971 from the Builder’s Exchange of Central Ohio and the AIA Ohio Gold Medal in 1978. He was also a 50-year member of West Gate Lodge 623 F&AM, member of Columbus Maennerchor, Alpha Rho Chi Professional Fraternity, and Tau Sigma Delta -honorary in architecture and the allied arts.

Mr. Bentz designed and supervised the design of a number of significant public buildings during his 20-year tenure as State Architect including William T. Jerome Library at Bowling Green State University; Library, Ohio University; the Ohio Historical Center, ODOT (now Department of Education) Building at 25 South Front Street, BES (now Department of Job & Family Services) Building at 145 South Front Street, and the State Underground Parking Garage beneath the lawn at the Statehouse, all in Columbus.

Don Welsch

Donald C. Welsch of New Albany, Ohio, served as State Architect and Engineer from January 1978 to March 30, 1981 during the administration of Governor Jim Rhodes (1975–1983).

Arnold C. Kendall served as Acting State Architect and Engineer from April 11, 1981 to April 17, 1981 Ohio License ARC.5702690 was issued to Charles Arnold Kendall on January 21, 1957. This license expired in 1993.

George Hodge

George K. Hodge, AIA, served as State Architect and Engineer from April 1981 to February 1983 during the administration of Governor James Rhodes (1975–1983).

George K. Hodge was a member of the American Institute of Architects in 1977.

Lee Martin

Lee Martin, AIA, served as State Architect and Engineer from February 1983 to January 5, 1985 during the administration of Governor Richard F. Celeste (1983–1991).

Mr. Martin was elected president of AIA Columbus for 1992 but did not complete his term.

Don Pitton, AIA, served as Acting State Architect from January 18, 1985 to April 22, 1985 Ohio License ARC.5302171 was issued to Donald A. Pitton on June 30, 1953. This license expired in 1989. Donald Albert Pitton was a member of the American Institute of Architects from 1965 to 1974.

Carole Olshavsky

Carole Jane Olshavsky, FAIA, served as State Architect from April 22, 1985 to February 15, 1989 during the administration of Governor Richard F. Celeste (1983–1991). She was promoted to Deputy Director of the Public Works Division in February 1989.

Ms. Olshavsky was president of AIA Ohio in 1985, and was elevated to Fellowship in the American Institute of Architects in 1988. She served as chair of the AIA Public Architects Committee in 1989 and received the AIA Ohio Gold Medal in 1993. Her service to the AIA College of Fellows includes Bursar from 2005 to 2006, Vice-Chancellor in 2007, and Chancellor in 2008.

Tom Poulton, AIA, served as Acting State Architect from February 15, 1989 to June 15, 1989.

Jack Frost

Jack F. Frost, AIA, served as State Architect from June 15, 1989 to July 1991 during the administration of Governors Richard F. Celeste (1983–1991) and George V. Voinovich (1991–1998).

Joe Busch

Joseph F. Busch, AIA, served as State Architect from July 15, 1991 to March 28, 1994 during the administration of Governor George V. Voinovich (1991–1998).

Fred W. Forbes, AIA, served as Acting State Architect while Deputy Director, Division of Public Works from March 1994 to October 1994.

Steve Lutz served as Acting State Architect from October 1994 to January 9, 1995.

Randy Fischer

Randall A. Fischer, AIA, served as State Architect from January 10, 1995 to June 1997 during the administration of Governor George V. Voinovich (1991–1998). He was subsequently appointed the first Executive Director of the Ohio School Facilities Commission.

Steve Lutz served as Acting State Architect from June 1997 to December 1998.

Howard W. Geisler, CDT, served as Acting State Architect from December 1998 to September 29, 2000.

Roger Booker

Roger Byron Booker, AIA, CSI, served as State Architect from October 1, 2000 to February 23, 2007 during the administration of Governor Bob Taft (1999–2007).

Mr. Booker was chair of the AIA Public Architects Committee in 1995, served on the Board of Directors of AIA Columbus from 2002 to 2003.

Tom Poulton, AIA, served as Acting State Architect from February 24, 2007 to September 30, 2007

Craig Weise

Craig Alan Weise, AIA, CCM, PMP, LEED AP, served as State Architect from October 1, 2007 to January 7, 2011, during the administration of Governor Ted Strickland (2007-2011).

He was president of the Northern Ohio Chapter of the Construction Management Association of America in 2006.

Lane J. Beougher

Lane Joseph Beougher, AIA, FCSI, LEED AP BD+C, served as Interim State Architect from February 13, 2011 until June 5, 2011, when he was appointed State Architect, during the administration of Governor John R. Kasich (2011- ). Mr. Beougher was chair of the AIA Public Architects Committee in 2012, served on the Board of Directors of AIA Columbus from 2003 to 2009 and was chapter president in 2008. He was elevated to fellowship in the Construction Specifications Institute in June 2009, and was founding vice chair of the Central Ohio Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.