"Twenty years ago when I was looking for an architect, a colleague recommended John Watkins, a young man fresh from college, just starting his practice. The design of our new home was very important to me; after five years of search, I had finally found a wooded property that both my wife and I liked. I wanted the new home to represent our joint vision, unlike the bachelor’s pad I had built before meeting Kathleen.

In our twenty-five acre forest populated by hundreds of mature trees, we wanted to build a contemporary home, using natural materials and an open-floor design. We handed John a three-page wish list, specifying the highlights of our vision: bank of windows that would allow us to enjoy the lush forest from inside, a spacious kitchen where we could cook and entertain, a state-of-art theater where we could watch Hollywood classics, and a circular staircase.

John produced a design that conformed to our specifications. Over the next three years we tinkered with the plans, placing a triangular Jacuzzi in the master bedroom suite, using natural stone for the exterior that required modification in the foundation, and substituting coal stoves with gas fireplaces, which created space for a larger entry door. Throughout this prolonged process, John remained patient and attentive to our wishes.

I had retained a construction manager, instead of a general contractor, which offered me the flexibility to choose my own subcontractors: a local plumber, electrician, and stone mason, with whom I could develop a working relationship. But this new format also increased my reliance on John, whose advice I constantly needed to ensure compliance with architectural details.

My wife, who has an innate talent for visualizing the space, wanted a dining room with multiple 45-degree angles. John incorporated her vision in a stunning design that he duplicated in the dining area of the downstairs apartment. The design of the living space in the basement was entirely John’s creation; we provided him with no input, concerned only with the space allocation upstairs. Years later when we had finished the basement, we appreciated John’s intelligent plan for the independent apartment. He had even found space for a spacious kitchen, incorporating the hallway in the layout.

More than thirteen years have passed since that day in February 2004 when we moved in our dream home, but we admire it every single day: standing near one of the huge windows and looking at the densely green woods outside, or relaxing in the small room that John added to the master bedroom suite, a sun room we use for reading.

Building the new home was not only the realization of a cherished dream, but also a transforming experience that belongs in the same league as my coming to America with no financial means and getting a doctorate in economics. If I weren’t an octogenarian, I would find another picturesque parcel of land and ask John to design another spectacular home for me. Working with him was an unadulterated pleasure. Mr. Watkins is a talented architect, with the perceptiveness to understand his client’s vision and the professional expertise to translate them into an aesthetically appealing design. I recommend him enthusiastically and unequivocally."

— Arifeen M. Daneshyar

HOLLY HUNT (Knoll) has been a client of Watkins | Synergetics Architect since 2015. Our corporate office in Chicago was in need of an extensive renovation in 2016. This could of been proven to be difficult as we had to work this project around staff working in the space during demolition, construction, and install. From the initial planning phase, Jeff "listened" to our needs, created spot on drawings, facilitated through pre-construction meetings and communicated extremely well through the entire project - nothing ever fell through the cracks.

Jeff Biehn/WS is extremely professional, experienced and attended to all areas of the project. This made my role as the HH project manager, along with others internally at my company so much easier through, what could have been a difficult project for us.

I would highly recommend Watkins | Synergetics Architect.

Lisa Esposito HOLLY HUNT https://www.hollyhunt.com/default.aspx

I have worked with Jeff Biehn, and Watkins Architect on at least 100 projects, varying in size from large office renovations to factory expansions to maintenance repairs over a span of 16 years. Mr. Biehn has served as the main contact and project manager of all projects for the last 10 years and has coordinated all facets of our construction projects.

The East Greenville site houses the corporate offices for Knoll. All offer space construction and renovation are closely overseen by our corporate design team located in New York City. For the last 10 years, Watkins Architect has been chosen by this team and me, to provide the architectural design and project management for this work. This work included complete project design, executive level presentations, procurement of Contractors, project oversight, and project cost control. Watkins Architect efforts have helped Knoll immeasurably in bringing the most cost effective and beneficial designs to all projects. Their work has been performed with diligence, timeliness, and extremely thorough.

I would highly recommend Mr. Biehn and Watkins Architect for any future projects.

Paul Nowicki, PE Knoll, Inc.

We have had the pleasure of working with Jeff Biehn from Watkins Architecture from 2015 and throughout last year. He has previously worked with our parent company, Knoll, and was highly recommended to us for our NY Showroom renovation in the D&D Building.

This was our first large scale renovation in many years, and our flagship showroom. The
pressure was on to create a functional and modern space that reflected the brands image while at the same time being very thoughtful to the budget.

We found Jeff to be attentive, professional, responsive and thorough to every detail. His positive outlook was appreciated and kept the project moving in a forward direction.

We would not only recommend Jeff and the team at Watkins, we will plan to use them again as a project allows in the future.

Echo MacKenzie Edelman Leather https://www.edelmanleather.com/

I feel both London and Dallas are well beyond expectations. And, just wanted to say 'thank you,' your efforts, diligence and guidance is much appreciated.

Mark Skerik Edelman Leather https://www.edelmanleather.com/

John Watkins, Jeff Biehn, and the rest of the Watkins staff, kept their promise and project timelines from the beginning to the end of the project. From our initial meeting with Watkins Architect we felt we had someone we could trust and was looking out for our best interest. They were our architects in the past and they will be the company we turn to in the future!

Robert Franklin, Owner The Westy Bar & Grill Hamburg, PA

We were pleased with Mr. Watkins educational design capabilities. He demonstrated the ability to take our visions and reduce them into a plan design. We were pleased with his promptness and his communication skills during the design process. We would recommend the employment of Watkins Architect, LTD for your school project.

Clyde K. Hornberger, Ed.D, Executive Director & Randy Hensinger, Business Administrator Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Schnecksville, PA

We want to commend Watkins Architect, LTD for the invaluable assistance they have provided to Tilden Township. Specifically, we are appreciative of their professionalism, planning, and execution of architectural design work. Their efforts helped Tilden Township immeasurably in bringing the most affordable and beneficial plans for our new building.

Troy Hatt, Chairman Board of Supervisors Township of Tilden Hamburg, PA

During the time we have worked with John Watkins, as well as his employees, we have found this company to be very professional, courteous, and responsive at all times. Following our first attempt at putting our project out to bid, the bids came in higher than our budget. Despite the fact that Watkins had fulfilled all their responsibilities at this point, they went above and beyond our contractual agreement and re-designed and downsized the building without any further charges. In this day and age you will not find companies that will provide this type of support without paying additional fees; therefore, it is our opinion that a better choice would be very difficult to achieve than to use Watkins Architect.

Jim Laub, Building Committee Chairperson Zion Union Church Maxatawny, PA

Mr. Watkins and his staff exemplify all the qualities of a true professional organization. What impressed me most was the follow-up and attention to the projects during the construction phase. There were bi-weekly construction meetings with contractors, subcontractors, and township personnel in attendance at all meetings. Minor problems were addressed immediately and not allowed to escalate. Both projects ran so smoothly, due mostly to the organizational efforts of Mr. Watkins and others from his office with whom we dealt from time to time.

K. Ray Stauffer, Township Manager Township of Maxatawny Kutztown, PA

From the beginning, Watkins Architect LTD provided common sense guidance through the conceptual and development stages of the high profile building project that incorporates many areas of study into a flexible teaching space. They were enthusiastic in meeting our program needs and allowed necessary changes without incident. I do believe that John Watkins commitment to the 'Art of Architecture' is demonstrated in his design of our building.

Mark P. Grisi, Executive Director Physical Plant Bucks County Community College Newtown, PA

Watkins support staff members were always available and a genuine customer service attitude gave me the feeling like my job was the most important one they were working on. The construction project should have taken nine months to complete. With fast track scheduling by Watkins Architect and constant monitoring, the successful completion was achieved in four months. This further exemplifies the quality of drawings, specifications, and cooperation that prevailed on the project. I fully recommend Watkins Architect, LTD to perform your architectural needs when planning, customer service, and post project completion services are required.

Russell J. Anderson Project Administrator/Facilities Management Berks County Intermediate Unit Reading, PA