About JCKL Architects, LLC
Trusted Architecture in Columbus, Ohio and Beyond
At JCKL Architects, LLC, we believe great design should feel personal, and the buildings we help create should stand the test of time. For nearly four decades, we have provided full-service architecture to homeowners, businesses, and communities across Central and Southern Ohio. What started as one architect’s vision has grown into a small, dedicated firm known for stability, personal attention, and code-compliant design solutions. Through every stage of that growth, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to guiding each client from concept to completion with care.
How Our Story Began
We founded JCKL Architects, LLC in 1990 under the leadership of Dan Marsh, the firm’s original architect. From the very beginning, our work was rooted in a simple idea: architecture should serve the people who use the spaces we design, whether that is a family in a new custom home, a physician opening a new office, or a developer working on affordable housing.
Over the years, our focus has remained on Central and Southern Ohio. Rather than chasing growth in larger, more saturated markets, we have stayed close to the communities that trust us most. We have found that this approach allows us to know our clients, understand their goals, and remain fully invested in every project we take on.
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As the firm evolved, so did our team and our services. What began as a small architectural practice grew into a firm capable of handling:- Custom residential design and home renovations
- Commercial architecture, including offices, retail, and tenant improvements
- Medical and doctor’s office design
- Civic buildings and government facilities
- Government and HUD compliant housing design
- Third-party construction administration, including bank inspections
Challenges That Shaped Who We Are
Like any firm with decades of history, we have faced our share of challenges along the way. The loss of a longtime partner was one of the most difficult moments in our history, and it reminded us how important it is to build a team and a culture that can carry a firm’s values forward, even through change.
Rather than letting that challenge slow us down, we used it as an opportunity to reaffirm what matters most to us: personal attention, project stability, and a genuine commitment to our clients. That experience continues to shape how we operate today, and it is part of why we currently work toward evolving our firm’s identity while holding onto the same values that have defined us since 1990.
What Keeps Us Motivated
We are motivated by the same thing that drove us in 1990: the opportunity to help people bring their vision for a building, home, or business to life. Whether we are designing a custom home along the Route 23 corridor or working with a longtime contractor on a commercial project, we take pride in knowing that our work becomes part of the communities we serve.
We are especially proud to serve areas that are often overlooked by larger firms concentrated in bigger cities. Our two-hour service radius allows us to reach underserved markets throughout Southern Ohio, and we consider that reach one of the most meaningful parts of what we do.
Meet Our Team
Our team is small by design. We believe that a smaller firm allows us to give every client the personal attention that larger firms often cannot. Everyone on our team is hands-on, detail-oriented, and committed to seeing a project through from the first conversation to the final inspection.
Eric Karhoff
Designer / Project Manager
Eric brings 36 years of architectural experience to every project, with a career focused entirely on Central and Southern Ohio. His expertise spans schematic project design, preparing construction documents, and construction administration. Eric graduated from The Ohio State University in 1989 with a B.S. in Architecture. He furthered his education through the Oxford University Architectural Study Abroad Program and additional coursework at Columbus State Community College. As project manager, Eric works directly with clients to ensure that every design reflects their vision while staying on track from start to finish.
Heather Kiger
Office Manager / Draftsperson
Heather is a skilled CAD drafter with 25 years of experience creating detailed technical drawings for residential and commercial projects. She graduated from Technology Educational College with an Associate’s degree in CAD Systems. Heather works closely with engineers and architects throughout the design process, and she is committed to delivering high quality work that consistently exceeds client expectations.
Together, Eric and Heather represent the heart of our firm: experienced, detail-driven professionals who care about getting every project right.
What We Look for in Our Team
When we think about who fits well at JCKL Architects, LLC, a few qualities stand out:
- A genuine commitment to quality and accuracy in design and drafting
- Experience or education in architecture, drafting, or related fields
- A collaborative mindset that works well with engineers, contractors, and clients
- A steady, dependable work ethic that matches the pace of long-term projects
Trusted by Your Neighbors
We have proudly served Central and Southern Ohio communities for nearly four decades. That kind of longevity does not happen by accident. It happens because clients and contractors continue to trust us with their projects, year after year.
Who We Work With
Our clients include:
- Homeowners seeking custom residential renovations or design
- Businesses in need of commercial architecture, including retail and tenant improvements
- Medical professionals designing new or updated office spaces
- Developers working on housing and government funded projects
- Government entities requiring civic building design
Why Local Clients Continue to Recommend Us
Much of our work comes from word of mouth and repeat contractor referrals, which we consider one of the highest compliments a firm can receive. Contractors bring projects directly to us because they know what to expect: reliable communication, sound design, and a partner who understands the code requirements and practical realities of building in this region.
We believe local clients continue to recommend us because of a few key reasons:
- Nearly four decades of experience across Central and Southern Ohio
- Strong, long-standing relationships with contractors and developers
- A service area that reaches communities often underserved by larger firms
- A consistent focus on personal attention rather than high volume production
Our Promise
Our promise to every client is simple: you will receive personal attention from your project manager from the very first conversation through the final walkthrough. We believe that this level of involvement is what leads to design stability, strong client satisfaction, and buildings that truly reflect the vision our clients bring to us.
When you reach out to us, you can expect:
- A direct conversation with our project manager about your goals and vision
- Clear guidance through the design and permitting process
- Honest, code-compliant recommendations based on decades of local experience
- A firm that remains involved and accountable throughout the life of the project
If something does not go as planned, our clients speak directly with the people managing their project, not a call center or an outsourced representative. We believe that kind of accessibility is part of what has allowed us to maintain long-term relationships with contractors and clients throughout Central and Southern Ohio.
Who We Are Best Equipped to Help
We are especially well suited to help:
- Homeowners planning a custom home or renovation in Central or Southern Ohio
- Businesses and medical professionals in need of office or facility design
- Developers working on HUD or tax credit housing projects
- Contractors seeking a dependable architectural partner for repeat work
We are proud to serve communities along the Route 23 corridor, including Columbus, Chillicothe, Hillsboro, Waverly, Portsmouth, Jackson, Rio Grande, Lancaster, and Circleville.
Frequently Asked Questions
We provide full-service architecture, including custom residential design, commercial architecture, medical and office design, civic building design, government and HUD compliant housing, and third-party construction administration.
We have served Central and Southern Ohio since 1990, giving us nearly four decades of experience in the region.
We primarily serve the Route 23 corridor, including Columbus, Chillicothe, Hillsboro, Waverly, Portsmouth, Jackson, Rio Grande, Lancaster, and Circleville.
Our smaller size allows us to give every client personal attention from a dedicated project manager, which helps ensure design stability and consistent communication throughout the project.
Yes. We work with homeowners on custom residential projects, as well as businesses, medical professionals, developers, and government entities on a wide range of commercial and civic projects.
You can expect a direct conversation with our project manager, who will listen to your goals and guide you through the next steps of the design process.
The first step is simple: reach out to us for a consultation. Contact our office by phone or email to discuss your project vision, and we will walk you through what comes next.
Let’s Build Something Lasting Together
At JCKL Architects, LLC, we know that a building is more than a structure. It represents years of planning, investment, and pride for the people who use it. That is why we have stayed committed to personal attention, quality design, and dependable service for nearly four decades. Our licensed architects are proud to serve homeowners, businesses, and communities throughout Central and Southern Ohio, and we look forward to bringing that same commitment to your next project.