Meet Adam Pfeifer of apd_studios+

Hi Adam, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in a mid-sized, western Kansas, semi-rural town in a family steeped in construction, building, and making. Following high school, I attended Kansas State University’s College of Architecture, Planning & Design and attained my M. Arch degree. Following my time at KSU as a student, I returned a short while later to teach within the program – teaching building structures and third-year design studio. In 2013, I took a position with a full-service Architecture firm inside the Greater Kansas City Metro, where I specialized in historic renovation, adaptive reuse, urban multi-family, and custom residential work. In 2020, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic fell upon us, I chose to leave that firm and forge my path – which had been a common throughout my family for several generations.

Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Branching out on my own during the COVID-19 pandemic was not without worry; where would the next project come from, who would even think to build during this time, etc. Nobody, initially, had any idea how the COVID-19 pandemic would affect the housing industry, the construction world, or – at that time – the product availability segment of the industry. However, I was fortunate enough to have a steadfast and forward-thinking list of clients that continued to look past the pandemic and kept projects moving during the time. Since, I have been fortunate to partner with great contractors, clients, and consultants that continue to offer referrals, allowing me to avoid traditional marketing. My business has been entirely through direct referral, and we consistently hold a 4-8 week lead time for new projects.

Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
While the business is owned and operated by myself, I offer full-service Architectural Design services with the collaboration and partnership of a great group of consultants ranging from civil and structural engineering to interiors and lighting design. We primarily focus on custom residential work but also take on small and mid-size commercial work that fits our collaborative team well. With the diverse experience of our greater collective, we also have a special knack for historic renovation and adaptive reuse projects.

Growing up within the construction industry, and having that experience, has allowed me to become well-known as a “realistic” Architect who is more aware of constructability, budget, logistics, and the natural trends associated with construction. This better understanding of the realities of construction, the skill and craftsmanship associated with varying budget ranges, and the realities of communities/ neighbors/ and local jurisdictions, allows us to better craft projects in a way to make the most out of what would commonly be considered obstacles.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Many current or new clients should to realize our extensive experience working with historic structures on the national registry. This experience can translate into a historic home just the same. While homes may not be considered to have been built too much differently 100 years ago – they were thought of differently. Materials were cheap, energy was plentiful, and less care was given to the Jones’ down the street. That old train of thought, and the associated pride of ownership of work, meant for better craftsmanship and detail compared to the majority of homes built today. Even more so, modern times have created a completely different approach to managing water, insulation, and the “breathability” of the structure. Today, with our advances in technology and understanding of Building Science, we work to achieve a tighter building envelope to get the most out of the money we spend on heating, cooling, water, electricity, etc., than was the case 100 years ago.