Wesketch Architecture

Home

About Us

Residential

Commercial

Master Plan

News Press

Weskonstruct

Home

About Us

Residential

Commercial

Master Planning

News and Press

WESKonstruction

WESKetch Architecture

Home

Home
William E S Kaufman
Glenn Albrecht

MISSION STATEMENT

We offer total designed environments, from property line to paint, combining site responsive sustainable design, with traditional buildings, through an organized process of collaboration, communication and creativity, perfecting life through better design one building at a time.

INTRODUCTION

WESK is a family of professional design and construction entities strategically affiliated to efficiently meet the complex needs of our clients. There are currently three divisions dedicated to serving our Clients with an integrated approach throughout the life cycle of a project. WESKetch Architecture, WESK Interiors and WESK Construction Management represent the family of services provided by our team of experts.

WESK is aligned to provide all levels of design, engineering, interior architecture and design as well as project management and construction services. We provide a wide range of project related services including:

• Award Winning Architectural Design

• Site and Project Master Planning

• Feasibility Studies

• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

• Historic Restoration & Renovation

• Integrated Design & Project Management

• Interior Architecture & Design

• Construction Management

• General Contracting

• Real Estate Development

DEVELOPMENT

We are a boutique nationally acclaimed green Architectural design firm and construction man-agement company fused together to create a development partner fully equipped to identify, evaluate, acquire, envision and entitle environmentally constrained land or properties restricted by zoning. Our philosophy is simply this. The majority of “easy land” and as of right projects have already been built or are already overvalued saturating the marketplace with mediocre de-velopments. We are uniquely positioned to identify investment opportunities in niche markets that go unnoticed by main stream developers and traditional banking institutions. We dig deeper in to the specific political and economic climates of our projects with a more thorough under¬standing of smaller, affluent market sectors that remain active in an otherwise flat construction and development market.

We have the experience in luxury residential Architecture, from single family estates to new ur-ban developments including waterfront communities; commercial design, construction manage-ment, design-build, and years of combined first-hand experience as experts in the entitlement process. Additionally, our internal resources and sub-consultants provide us with a loyal group of proven professionals with a commitment to excellence.

Our team has a unique ability to accelerate the entitlement process through green and creative architectural designs as well as through internal resources and established political avenues. Our trust and reputation have been gained as professionals in the industry, not as developers.

Although our investors are well capitalized, they often seek additional funds or partners to se-cure and validate the performance potential of our projects.

How we work: Our development team identifies potential properties within challenged or con-strained markets underutilized or inappropriately zoned. Concept proposals are prepared by our Architects and Planners immediately to determine the appropriate and potential uses. Our con¬struction management members weigh in as to constructability, costs and anticipated build cy¬cles. Once a basic performance model is constructed the project moves to informal discussions with select municipal authorities and then to prospective investors or partners. Upon an affirma¬tion from our investors, our team coordinates the contract purchase agreements for the properties in question and begins immediately to lay the ground work for the entitlement process.

As part of our holistic approach, we work within the community to establish grass roots support for projects before the projects become widely know or recognized, thus averting potential nega¬tive press and community resistance. Concurrent with this effort, our team can closely evaluate the climate of the approval and begin to fold in additional engineering and design preparations in order to fast track the process and consequently advance the ground breaking thereby reduc¬ing the carrying exposure of our investors.

Construction proceeds swiftly in the design-build arena as decisions are all handled internally with common project goals and financial objectives.

With our comprehensive development team handling the majority of the work, our investors do not need real estate development experience, architectural design expertise or construction knowledge in order to complete projects that yield strong, positive investment returns.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

WESK is a full service design firm focused on providing a site responsive approach to Archi-tecture. We work closely with our clients to maintain owner involvement in the decision mak¬ing process. As a design firm, WESK is committed to designing healthy environments. Founded in 1993, the owner, William E. S. Kaufman, has been focused on architectural design and ecological principles as one integrated process. The foundation of the practice was estab¬lished with a reputation for fine, quality residential design. The desire for growth was quickly realized to provide a positive impact with our environment and maintain our client’s require¬ments for all building types with proper environmental benefits and healthy indoor environ¬ments.

WESK takes a holistic approach to each project, providing comprehensive design and con-struction services from property line to paint. We guide each project from early site explora-tion and site engineering through architectural and interior design and landscaping. As the single-source of responsibility for each project, we serve as both the project manager and a trusted advisor. We provide all of the services required for a successful project.

PLANNING AND SUSTAINABILITY

Combining site responsive design while engaging the land with the natural design process re¬sults in “understanding the history, present and future of place is the first step to sustainable and more regenerative design”. Regenerative projects contribute to the viability of their social, economic and ecological environment. WESK begins each project with a comprehensive as¬sessment of place, gaining a thorough understanding of microclimate, sun orientation, eco¬systems and social-emotional characteristics, providing us with valuable insight to the natural design process.

WESK works with a team of proven professionals, building a strong design team and ensuring the proper coordination and communication throughout the design and construction process. Sustainability is a significant force in every area of human enterprise. At WESK, it is normally practiced in design and used as an element to the program. Proper planning efforts improve environmental performance and can be managed to fit the vernacular of the surroundings.

Our staff of experts is known for our complete understanding of the most current sustainable practices and use of materials. Our high-performance building designs offer our clients lower operating costs, higher fuel efficiency, alternative sources of energy and environmentally re¬sponsible waste management. WESK is committed to helping people work & live healthier lives. We design built environments with fewer pollutants and allergens, all the while meshing traditional and classic beauty into our design.

HEALTHY INTERIOR ENVIRONMENTS

We believe that the built environment can make your life healthier and improve your quality of life. Daily life will be improved by using an energy-efficient approach to architecture and interiors. This is accomplished by embracing the landscape and limiting the off gassing of toxic pollutants generally found with construction projects of today. Some of these harmful product types such as Poly Vinyl Chloride, Urea-Formaldehydes and other volatile organic compounds found to be harmful to human life will be eliminated or reduced to promote healthier indoor air quality while preserving the natural environment.

WESK Interiors, Inc. is a full-service design and interior department devoted to creating healthy interiors that are responsive to the architectural surroundings. Our approach is to con¬sider more broadly what the project is to accomplish, to work out sustainability strategies for it, and offer the project that meets all needs. Services include, Space Planning; Interior Design; Healthier Interior Environments; Fixtures & Furnishings. The knowledge of which choices on finishes that is environmentally conscious, durable as well as beautiful. Proper materials can offer savings on frequent maintenance and replacement costs. A well-designed environment will provide our clients with responsible, healthy interior environments!

LEED™ LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

Combining the realities of today with creative and sustainable design for the future, WESK has incorporated the LEED principles and guidelines in all aspects of our projects. We can provide further information about the LEED Certification process including viable methods of integrat¬ing environmentally friendly processes and materials into your project. LEED Certified De¬sign Solutions offered by WESK’s LEED architects are represented in the following categories:

• Recycled & Environment Friendly materials

• Site Selection Criteria

• Energy Saving Systems

• Indoor Air Quality Improvement

• Water Saving Methodology

William E S Kaufman

William E. S. Kaufman, AIA, NCARB

Mr. Kaufman has over 20 years of executive management experience in the Design, Construction and real Estate business. As President and founder of WESKetch Architecture, Inc., William E.S. Kaufman has engaged in the practice of Architecture since 1995 while maintaining professional registrations in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Montana and pending in Colorado. He managed the practice through tremendous growth gaining national accolades including being named one of the top 12 best places to work in the United States. The firm was ranked 15th of the top architectural practices in the State of New Jersey.

Mr. Kaufman pioneered the green building movement in his state by universally pledging his commitment to sustainability and the environment through his best practices design and by becoming the first USGBC LEED accredited Architect in the state of New Jersey. His passions for sustainability lead him to the clean energy movement where he adopted a lifetime of design principles to a new emerging type of solar collector. This innovation has lead to the development of the Power Arbor™ a unique new way to harness the sun’s energy through the use of architectural trellis style canopies specifically fitted for surface parking lots. He founded Wattlots, LLC, a company whose mission is “cooling the planet, while energizing the world.”

William was named “Architect of the Year” by the American Institute of Architects, in addition to being awarded the prestigious honor of “Top 40 businessman in the State of New Jersey.”

Education

New Jersey School Of Architecture; New Jersey Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Architecture

Professional Licenses and Certificates

Registered Architect – New Jersey 13324

Registered Architect – Pennsylvania 015093-B

Registered Architect – New York 026760

Registered Architect – Massachusetts 10167

Registered Architect – Montana 2256

The American Institute of Architects- National, Member – February 1997

National Council Architectural Registration Boards Certificate – 49156

United States Green Building Council LEED Certification – January 2001

Professional Organizations

American Institute of Architects – National – February 1997

AIA Central New Jersey Chapter, Member – February 1997

National Council of Architect Registration Boards, Certificate Holder – July 1997

United States Green Building Council, Certificate Holder – May 2000

National Trust for Historic Preservation– February 1997

Member of Co-op American Businesses, Affiliate – May 2001

Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Member – May 2001

Greener New Jersey Partnership – May 2001

Executive Advisory Board Member for the Restoration & Renovation Conference – 2002

Lifetime Member of Who’s Who 1999

President Long Hill Township Chamber Of Commerce. 2005-2009

Professional Testimonial Services

Long Hill Township Planning Board

Harding Township Planning Board

Borough of Bernardsville Township Planning Board

Mountainside Planning Board

Deal Borough Board of Adjustments

Seaside Park Board of Adjustments

Essex Fells Township Planning Board

Bernards Township

Westfield Board Of Adjustments

Berkeley Heights Board of Adjustments

Millburn Township Board of Adjustments

City of Summit Board of Adjustments

City of Summit Planning Board

Millburn Township Historic Preservation Commission

Town of Hunter NY Planning Board

Free Acres Community Group, Berkley Heights, New Jersey -Elected Building Official 93-97

Books “

WESKetch Architecture – The Grand American Home” Images Publishing, 2008.

“Dream Homes New Jersey” 2006 Panache Partners

Pocketful of Houses” ; Images Publishing, Fall 2006

The Somerset Hills: Volume I;, Mountain Colony Press, Far Hills, NJ, p. 29- 31 (2004)

Trial Size to Family Size”; Updating Classic American Capes; by Jane Gitlin, Taunton Press, Newtown, CT, p. 124-131 (2003).

100 of the World’s Best Houses; The Images Publishing Group, Victoria, Austr., p. 74-78 (2003).

“The new 100 houses X 100 Architects, Images Publishing 2007

1000 Architects Images Publishing 2004

Television Appearances

NBC Television series “Open House New York” 2007,2008

NJN, THIRTEEN, WLIW, WPSJ “One on One with Steve Adubato” Guest appearances. 2006,2007

HGTV “Design For Living” 2005-2006 Co-Host Hip design and real estate parody with special segments and segments on home design and décor.

PBS “Men in Tool Belts” Comedy on DIY construction 1998

Publications

Numerous publications as a contributing writer as well as featured works:

'Architectural Digest', 'This Old House Magazine', 'New York Spaces', 'Architectural Record', 'Design NJ', 'Casa Design for Living', 'NJIT Magazine', 'Period Homes Magazine', 'Custom Home Magazine', 'New Jersey Monthly', 'The New York Times', 'The Newark Star Ledger'

Home
William E S Kaufman
Glenn Albrecht

Glenn Albrecht

Glenn Albrecht, AIA

Education

Yale University School of Architecture , New Haven, Connecticut

M.Architecture, May 2000

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Troy, New York

B.Architecture, May 1993

B.S.Building Sciences, May 1992

Minor in German, May 1993

Naval Civil Engineer Corps Officers School , Port Hueneme, California

Completed October 1993

Work Experience

2009-Present Product Designer

Wattlots, Millington, New Jersey

2005-Present Project Architect

WESKetch Architecture, Millington, New Jersey

2000-2004 Project Manager

Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP, New York, New York

1995-1998 Assistant Resident Officer in Charge of Construction

Naval Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme, California

1993-1995 Staff Civil Engineer/Facilities Officer

Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, Keflavík, Iceland

Professional License & Certificates

Licensed and Registered Architect in the State of New York and the State of New Jersey

LEED v2 Accredited Professional

Organizations

American Institute of Architects

United States Green Building Council

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

Military Service

1993-1998 Officer, Civil Engineer Corps, United States Navy

Awards & Achievements

2008 Mansion in May ‘Tulip Award’ winner for Best Design Space

2000 Everett Victor Meeks Graduate Fellowship, Yale University

1997 Licensed pilot

1995 United States Navy Achievement Medal

1993 New York Society of Architects Matthew Del Gaudio Memorial Award

1993 Harriet R. Peck Prize finalist - Best Solution of a Problem in Architectural Design

1992 Exhibited in National Institute for Architecture Education Gallery, New York, NY

Home

William E S Kaufman

Glenn Albrecht

Intro Home Contact Us Residential Commercial Master Planning News and Press Weskonstruction