Profile
Jan Hird Pokorny Associates is a two-branch, full service design firm with a strong focus in historic preservation work. JHPA, Inc. services include: condition surveys, documentation, materials conservation, historic research, historic structure reports, master planning, maintenance plans, and feasibility studies.
The services of JHP Architects, PC include: restoration and adaptive reuse, development of restoration/construction documents and specifications, and construction administration.
Our firm has completed a broad range of commissions since its establishment in 1946 by our namesake and chairman, Jan Hird Pokorny, FAIA. Since the late 1960s, however, the firm’s focus has increasingly been on architecture, planning and preservation for historic buildings and sites.
While commissions vary widely in scope and scale, the common thread is work on landmarked historic structures whose restoration and preservation require sensitivity towards contextual planning and design, as well as knowledge of historic materials and construction techniques and current conservation practice. JHPA is committed to preserving the irreplaceable quality of older structures through harmonious designs, careful restoration of materials, and attention to detail.
Today, almost all of the firm’s projects involve landmark buildings deemed to be of local, state or national significance.
A profile of the firm’s past work includes the re-location and restoration of a new-world Dutch house, a master plan for a large historic house museum, conceptual design of a new building in Central Park, and a full exterior envelope restoration of a cast-iron ferry terminal involving multi-disciplinary teams of engineers, conservators, and specialized sub-consultants. For architectural projects our Jan Pokorny Architects PC firm generally acts as the prime architect for most projects, but is also engaged as a historic preservation consultant to other large architecture firms and agencies, charged with assessing new design impact on existing landmark buildings and delineating specialized restoration work on those structures.
JHPA’s current work profile is reflected in the makeup of our staff, many of whom have advanced degrees in historic preservation in addition to backgrounds in architecture and interior design. Our principals have taught in the fields of architecture and historic preservation, helping to provide JHPA with a greater awareness of new developments and innovative practices in the field.
Aside from our work on historic buildings, JHPA, Inc-JHPA/PC is most proud of its ability to work closely with clients and remain sensitive and responsive to their needs throughout the course of a project. The office is ultimately a service-oriented one, with a list of long-term repeat clients. Our staff of architects, conservators, and project managers excels at working with owners to establish sensible, cost-effective approaches to restoration, helping to ensure lasting work that is respectful of original fabric, but which takes advantage of modern advances in building technology and construction when appropriate.