kasper architects + associates promoting from within - announcing the addition of 3 new partners

 JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 11th, 2023 – kasper architects + associates, a Southeast United States regional architecture and interior design firm announced today the addition of 3 partners. kasper architects continues to grow by providing excellent design services and expanding their leadership, increasing the firms ownership from 3 partners to 6. Every partner at kasper architects has been promoted from within the company, including Chris Densmore in 2017 and Jason Martucci in 2018.

The regional economy continues grow and the demand for our services has never been greater. “There’s no time like now to put our energy towards the development of our company, our people, and our community,” says founder and CEO, Erik Kasper. As is evident by their mission statement, the ka+ firm exists to use the craft of architecture to develop their associates to impact their family, community, and themselves to be a conduit of good.

From left: Jason Rivera, David Martin, Lauren Insalaco-Schwing, Jason Martucci, Chris Densmore, and Erik Kasper

Lauren Insalaco-Schwing, a licensed architect and studio director, has shared 12 years with the company since receiving her Master’s of Architecture from the University of Florida. Her careful attention to detail and organized leadership gives ka+ the flexibility to take on projects such as Baptist Health, Southeast Toyota Distributors, and W.W. Gay. Lauren said the decision was easy to make because, “[she has] seen the company grow and survive through many changes in the industry. The leadership here at kasper architects is dedicated to their team, and it would’ve been foolish to turn down this opportunity.”

David Martin, a studio director at ka+, has leveraged his 12 years with the company to refine our construction drawings to be some of the industry’s best. Martin’s project management experience is supported by his patience, leadership skills, and knowledge of the industry. David said, “It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to grow from an entry-level position to being asked to be a partner…” During his time at ka+, David has also played a pivotal role in the professional development of his colleagues through the organization of CEU courses, hands-on training, the introduction of new technologies and software available to architects, draftsmen, and interior designers.

Jason Rivera, a licensed architect and studio director, has shared 5 years with the company and has been practicing the art of architecture for 10+ years since receiving his Master’s of Architecture from Kansas State University in 2011. Rivera is the managing director for the Raleigh, NC office and has since grown the Raleigh office to 4 associates. “It was an honor to spearhead the expansion of the firm when we first opened the office in Raleigh, but it is an even greater honor to have been personally invited by Erik, Chris, and Jason Martucci to join them as a partner.” – Jason Rivera.

 ABOUT kasper architects + associates

kasper architects + associates currently has two design studios (one in Jacksonville, FL and the other in Raleigh, NC) functioning as one firm to effectively service the Southeast region. The studios share an established quality, professionalism, and efficiency across studios, allowing the firm to create a design solution that is second to none. kasper architects’ commitment to quality and their enhanced collaboration allows them to create successful projects and exceed client expectations.

For more information, please visit kasperarch.com or contact info@kasperarch.com

kasper architects selected as architect for the new Southeast Toyota Facility

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 6th, 2023 – kasper architects + associates, a Southeast United States regional architecture and interior design firm, unveils the design in-progress for the new Southeast Toyota Distributors vehicle processing facility at Blount Island. Here’s a sneak peak of the newly released renderings…

Southeast Toyota Distributors announced in April 2022 that they would stay in the Jacksonville area for another 40 years, at their new location in Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT)'s Blount Island Marine Terminal. They have signed a 25-year lease with the option to extend the lease an additional 15 years. The new site is accessible to the international shipping port and nationally connected railroad system, acknowledging Jacksonville’s reputation as a logistics hub. Southeast Toyota Distributors intends for this move to provide nearly 1,000 jobs.

This 88-acre parcel will include seven proposed buildings totaling over 380,000 square feet serving as an office space and vehicle processing facility. The construction is estimated to be completed sometime in early 2025. The facility will include:

• 25,000 square feet of associate amenity space including a fitness center, cafeteria, and outdoor space.

• 272,000 square feet of floor space for vehicle processing.

• 30,000 square feet of raised office/amenity space providing a 180-degree view of the state-of-the-art vehicle processing area.

• Facility designed with working space for approximately 300 associates.  

• The capacity to process approximately 4,000 vehicles per week.

JE Dunn Construction will serve as construction manager for the duration of the project alongside the kasper architects team.

ABOUT kasper architects + associates

kasper architects + associates currently has two design studios (one in Jacksonville, FL and the other in Raleigh, NC) functioning as one firm to effectively service the Southeast region. The studios share an established quality, professionalism, and efficiency across studios, allowing the firm to create a design solution that is second to none. kasper architects’ commitment to quality and their enhanced collaboration allow them to create successful projects and exceed client expectations.

kasper architects + associates exists to use the craft of architecture to develop their associates to impact their family, community, and themselves to be a conduit of good.

ABOUT Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Southeast Toyota Distributors, which is a subsidiary of Deerfield Beach-based JM Family Enterprises, Inc.  It has been operating at Jacksonville's port since 1968 when Toyota approached Jim Moran about selling its imported cars. Toyota was not a well-known brand at the time for American consumers, but its rapid rise in sales fed the growth of JM Family Enterprises and vice versa. Southeast Toyota dealers sell 20% of all Toyotas in the U.S. and is one of the top suppliers of vehicles, parts, and accessories servicing over 175 independent Toyota dealerships across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina with over $670 million in parts and accessories sold annually.

For more information, please visit kasperarch.com or contact info@kasperarch.com

The Museum of Science & History (MOSH) Selects DLR Group and kasper architects for MOSH Genesis Project

Integrated design firm will serve as the lead architect for Museum’s new location

Aug. 17, 2021 — JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Museum of Science & History (MOSH) today announced the selection of DLR Group as the lead architect for the MOSH Genesis project on the Northbank of Downtown Jacksonville. DLR Group will work with kasper architects + associates, a Jacksonville-based architecture firm and SCAPE, a New York-based landscape architecture firm on the project.

MOSH has operated in its current location on the Southbank of Downtown Jacksonville since 1969. The Museum’s operations have outgrown the 77,000-square-foot facility; building a new Museum will significantly expand the organization’s capacity to serve more students and visitors. Early projections estimate that by building a new facility at the Jacksonville Shipyards, MOSH will be able to serve 58,000 students (a 50% increase over pre-pandemic numbers) and 469,000 visitors (a 168% increase) each year.

Moving to the Northbank also allows MOSH to meet the growing demand for exhibits and programs that inspire innovation. The new Museum will comprise dedicated areas for exhibitions, classes and events, while also incorporating a new-and-improved space for the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium. This transformational reimagining of the Museum reinforces MOSH’s role as a vital civic institution and a destination for accessible, immersive and technologically advanced experiences.

“Over the past eight months, MOSH’s Board of Trustees and the Genesis Oversight Committee led a competitive process to identify the best possible design partners. We knew this project required the expertise of both a national firm with deep experience in museum architecture, and a local partner with existing relationships and knowledge of the Jacksonville market. Together, we know DLR Group, kasper architects + associates, and SCAPE will bring our vision to life,” said Bruce Fafard, President and CEO of MOSH.

DLR Group is a global integrated design firm specializing in significant cultural arts projects nationally and internationally. Ranked as one of the top Cultural Design Firms in the world by BD World Architecture, DLR Group brings to MOSH a multidisciplinary team with deep museum experience, including the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Museum at Bethel Woods (Woodstock Museum), the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia.

“MOSH will have a dramatic impact on the Jacksonville region, telling its unique story of human and natural history and culture, innovation and current science,” said DLR Group Senior Principal Paul Westlake, FAIA, who leads the firm’s Cultural+Performing Arts practice. “We are honored to be part of this groundbreaking project and are fortunate to be partners with both kasper architects and SCAPE. Erik Kasper and his team impressed us with their design ethos, knowledge of Jacksonville processes and their deep community-service efforts. Kate Orff and the SCAPE team believe landscape architecture can enable positive change in communities by regenerating living infrastructure and public landscapes.”

“DLR Group and the design team will capitalize on this opportunity to create a unique, immersive cultural experience that is reflective of the rich history of Jacksonville. In addition to creating an assemblage of technology and history, this project will serve as a social anchor for the local community, a space defined by notions of flexibility and a true integration between the building and its site,” said Vanessa Kassabian, AIA, LEED AP, DLR Group senior design leader.

MOSH is currently in negotiations with the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) to develop a term sheet for a four-acre parcel at the Jacksonville Shipyards. The $85 million project is expected to take three years. Pre-construction site work could begin as early as Q1 2022, following all necessary site approvals through the DIA.

For more information about the MOSH Genesis project, visit moshgenesis.com.

About the Museum of Science & History (MOSH)

The Museum of Science & History (MOSH) is located at 1025 Museum Circle near Friendship Park. MOSH, first chartered in 1941, inspires the joy of lifelong learning by bringing to life the sciences and regional history. Admission is $15.95 for adults; $12.95 for youth, students, active and retired military and seniors. There is no admission fee for children 2 and under or Museum members. Learn more at themosh.org.

Museum funding is provided in part by the City of Jacksonville and the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, Inc.; State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; and the National Endowment for the Arts; Historic Museums Grants-in-Aid Program assistance provided by the Bureau of Historical Museums, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State, Secretary of State.

About DLR Group:

DLR Group is an integrated design firm delivering architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, and building optimization for new construction, renovation, and adaptive reuse. Our promise is to elevate the human experience through design. This promise inspires sustainable design for a diverse group of public and private sector clients; local communities; and our planet. DLR Group is 100 percent employee-owned and fully supports the initiatives and goals of the 2030 Challenge, and is an initial signatory to the China Accord and the AIA 2030 Commitment.