Architecture veterans join forces to maximize productivity

They both graduated from Kansas State University, they both have years of Springfield-area architecture experience as solo practitioners, they’re both remodeling 1930’s-era cars, and they both dealt with the same issues most small firms face.

“We’d commiserate about the trials and tribulations of being a single practitioner. We found we had a lot in common – we had a lot of the same gripes and complaints,” Chamberlain said. “It became clear that we could probably do more work, save more money and handle the ups and downs in the workload better together.”

Chamberlain opened his practice, Chamberlain Architects PC, in 2000. Goforth opened Ben J. Goforth Architects in 1984.

When they both lost staff members at the same time last year, the duo decided the time was right to combine forces, and they merged in June.

“(Goforth) called me up, asked me if I had any drafters to help him because he had just lost a couple, and I said, ‘No, I just lost one, too,’” Chamberlain said. “We were complaining about what a pain that was, and we thought it made more sense to combine our companies.”

Now operating as Chamberlain and Goforth Architects, the two work on a variety of different projects, from industrial and factory facilities to churches to building infill jobs.

Chamberlain said the first quarter of 2008 for the firm is dominated by large industrial projects, such as a new facility on Maple Street for cabinet manufacturing firm Cabinets by RKC. The building, which will have 25,000 square feet of manufacturing space and about 4,000 square feet of office space, will replace Cabinets by RKC’s existing facility in Partnership Industrial Center West.

Owner Rich Kramer, who has worked with Chamberlain for several years, is glad to see the partnership.

“It’s nice that now they have the time to divide and conquer – they’re both very good architects,” Kramer said.

Chamberlain focuses on factory and industrial design, though he also has designed three Branson theaters, including the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater. Goforth, meanwhile, lists several area churches and restaurants, including the original Ocean Zen, on his résumé.

Chamberlain said the duo has split up tasks so that each can focus on the work they enjoy more, but the biggest advantage is the ability to share design ideas.

“We have each other to bounce ideas off of – it’s a tag-team effort,” Chamberlain said. “He’ll say, ‘That’s good, but how about changing this?’ or, ‘You kind of left this area undeveloped.’”

American Institute of Architects Springfield Board President Chris Swan, an architect with Butler, Rosenbury & Partners, said joining together should improve efficiency.

“Having a partner makes it a lot easier to get things done, and even to do things like just take a vacation,” Swan said. “In our industry, I think you’re usually better off having a partner.”

Goforth doesn’t anticipate much backlash from the larger firms – especially since he and Chamberlain have no desire to grow beyond their current size.

“We don’t want to get so big that we’re doing more people management than designing,” he said. “We enjoy doing what we do.”