The Architect
When Upsilon Chapter extended a bid to Kenny Emanuelson in 1991, the members likely never dreamed they would later be receiving a bid of a different sort from Kenny's dad. In the Fall of 1991, Kenny transferred to the University of Arkansas to study mechanical engineering, at which point he met and made friends with a number of Upsilon members, including Craig Deaton (U956) and Richard Smith (U955). Kenny ultimately pledged Theta Tau and joined Upsilon Chapter as pin number 981 in the Spring of 1992. Sometime in 1992, during a discussion of the perpetual "housing plan," Kenny mentioned that his father was an architect, and offered to introduce the officers to his father, Kenneth Emanuelson, Sr. In many ways, Ken, Sr.'s involvement as Upsilon's architect represents events coming around full circle. Ken had originally studied mechanical engineering, but an artistic streak and a family background in building construction ultimately drew him to architecture. He spent two years studying architecture at the University of Arkansas, and ultimately received his Bachelor of Architecture in Design from the University of Illinois in 1970. During his time in Fayetteville, Ken studied under E. Fay Jones, who had been an apprentice to Frank Lloyd Wright. During his time in Chicago, Ken studied under and was critiqued by many of America's most famous architects of the time, including Stanley Tigerman and Alvin Boyarsky. Ken's body of work likely reflects all of these influences to some degree, but the fundamental geometric elements exhibited, for example, in Jones' Thorncrown Chapel and Wright's own Oak Park home are clearly in evidence in much of Ken's own work, along with angular and intricate iron and glass work evocative of the artistry for which Wright is so well-known.
After practicing in Chicago for several years, Ken, his wife Marsha and their two children (Kenny and Joey) moved to Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Upon his arrival in Arkansas, Ken opened up his own firm, primarily serving clients in Northwest Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. Ken was also hired as an Adjunct Professor of Design at John Brown University. Ken's portfolio from this period included a mix of residential, commercial and institutional work, with a particular focus on banking and educational facilities. Early in Ken's career, Kawneer, at that time the world's leading window wall company, was sufficiently impressed with Ken's design for a local bank that it selected the project to be the highlight of an internationally-published brochure. The projects for which Ken has received some of his greatest recognition have been those for institutions of higher learning. Ken designed the renovation of the J. Alvin Dormitory, the Cathedral of the Ozarks and the Jones Recital Hall and Music Facilities at John Brown University in Siloam Springs. Later work included the acclaimed Walker Hall project along with student housing and dormitories at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville. In addition to his work in higher education, Ken's portfolio also includes a long list of gymnasiums, cafeterias, classrooms and offices for local school districts.
Ken has racked up accolades and awards throughout his career. Recent awards have included an "Award of Excellence" from the Arkansas Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors and an award for "Excellence in Preservation through Rehabilitation" from the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas. Ken has also been recognized for "Outstanding Achievement in Preservation Advocacy."
In H&T,
- Ken