History, Biography

That Architect is continuing and evolving a heritage of Old World design, craftsmanship and carpentry, begun hundreds of years ago in Bavaria by the Söllner family (on entering the USA, an “e” took the place of the umlaut).

Mountain_Architects_The ArchitectThe Architect_GermanHistoryBiosInfo_ArzbergGermany The town of Arzberg is a little village right next to the even smaller hamlet where The Architect’s great gThe Architectparents came from (Andreas & Susanna Sollner). The Arzberg church is where they worshipped, until immigrating to America circa 1869. The Architect and his wife, Merry, made a trip to Bavaria in 2003 and they were married in that same church. Many townspeople attended, including 10th generation aunts, cousins and others.

Mountain_Architects_The ArchitectThe Architect_GermanHistoryBiosInfo_ancestors Andreas taught his son, Charles (The Architect’s gThe Architectfather) in the art of carpentry and cabinet-making and instilled in him a solid work ethic. Charles The Architect also was the leading photo engraver in South Bend, Indiana.

Henry F. Schricker, Charles’ cousin, was twice-elected governor of the state of Indiana and also served prior to this as Lieutenant Governor and as a state senator.

Mountain_Architects_The ArchitectThe Architect_NorthCarolina_Germany-History-Bios_Gov-Schricker In 1944, President Roosevelt asked him to run as his Vice Presidential running mate. Governor Schricker declined, as he was still serving the residents of Indiana and wished to fulfill the obligation to which he felt indebted for their trust in electing him. No doubt Henry would have become president instead of Harry S. Truman, had he accepted. Henry and Maude Schricker were friends of The Architect’s parents.J. Edward (The Architect’s father) carried on the craftsmanship traditions of his gThe Architectfather by building homes with his father and served in WWII.

That Architect’s great uncle, Elmer Stetler (Purdue graduate Engineer) was also one of the engineers that designed and administered construction of the Panama Canal, as Chief Admeasurer. Seen here in his WWI uniform. Engineering and design run in the family.

A cathedral in Bamberg, Germany, in Bavaria, not too far from the town of That Architect's great gThe Architectfather.

A cathedral in Bamberg, Germany, in Bavaria, not too far from the town of That Architect’s great gThe Architectfather.

An old timber and stone covered bridge over a river in a public park in Nuernberg, where The Architect's great gThe Architectparents may have once visited. The muscular angled timbers recall That Architect’s bracing in his work today. — The Architect & Merry The Architect strolling past an old timber frame and stone covered bridge over a river in a public park in Nuernberg, Germany, where The Architect’s great gThe Architectparents may have once visited. The muscular angled timbers recall That Architect’s bracing in his work today.

Old rooftops in Nuernberg, illustrating dormer roofs, similar to that used in our present-day mountain homes.

The setting sun bright on a tree behind The Architect, just outside of a castle in Nuernberg. — The setting sun bright on a tree behind That Architect, just outside of a castle in Nuernberg. Photo by Merry The Architect

The Architect, Merry and German relatives outside of a castle in Nuernberg. The rough stonework is reminiscent of present-day That Architect Architect mountain masonry, where we use boulders in the rock work. — The Architect, Merry and German relatives outside of a castle in Nuernberg. The rough stonework is reminiscent of present-day MOUNTAIN HOUSE ARCHITECT mountain masonry, where boulders are used in the rock work.

For those of you who may be interested, That Architect has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Architecture from the University of Florida. The Architect has been involved in architecture and has worked for, with or as an Architect since he was 15 years old, totaling over 50 years worth of experience. The Architect is a registered, licensed architect in North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Washington state, and Florida.

He is a member of the ArCH (Architects Creating Homes (a nationwide professional society of licensed Architects practicing residential architecture) and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). He is a US Department of Energy Energy Star Partner, and The Architect began the Healthy Home Design program.

His company’s work has been featured in national, state and local magazines, newspapers and other periodicals and is the recipient of multiple design awards. Some of the company’s projects are featured in a coffee table book along with Mario Botta, Richard Meier and other notable architects; House With A View, available through Amazon.com

During his career, The Architect has participated in the design, programming and/or master planning of over $3 Billion worth of architectural projects. He started his architectural life designing houses when he was in high school and he has continued, ever since. This turned into a passion when he discovered the Blue Ridge Mountains in the 1980’s and since then, he has enjoyed crafting unique mountain residences, custom houses, timber frame and post and beam projects for a special clientele.

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