Partners

The name HISTORICAL CONCEPTS is a summary of the firm’s design philosophy and further symbolizes a desire for the body of work to take precedent over the individual. Each design principal at Historical Concepts began as an intern with the firm and is vested in its longevity and its legacy. With a multi-generational leadership team and a focus on developing future leaders from within, Historical Concepts strives to be an enduring institution. While its members will inevitably change through the decades, the design philosophy and culture of excellence established by the firm’s founder will always remain at the core of Historical Concepts.

James L. Strickland

Founder

James L. Strickland, Yale alumnus, founded Historical Concepts in 1982 with a commitment to creating timeless homes inspired by historic precedent and informed by the grace and charm of the South. At an early age, Jim took notice of the often overlooked details that make up the story of a home and embraced the artistry of fine builders. The role of indigenous materials in expressing the language of a community, as well as the little quirks that belong to a particular region, taught him that vernacular precedent was inextricably linked to the work of craftsman through their honest expressions of material and form. In these less explored building styles and types, Jim saw his future: to re-invent them for contemporary living while preserving their traditional spirit and delightful idiosyncrasies.

His professional career began with real estate development in Florida. Later, having moved back home to Georgia, he launched a design/build firm and began creating homes like those that had enchanted him as a boy, constructing over 200 traditionally inspired homes in the metro-Atlanta region. At the same time, his passion for America’s Greco-Roman architectural heritage was stronger than ever, he published The Savannah Tidewater Series, a collection of plans based upon the historic homes that had so influenced his design sensibilities. The popularity of these plans, previously unavailable in the high-end market, uncovered an abundant well of kindred spirits. This discovery was the spark that emboldened Jim to focus solely on architecture and design. In the two decades since that time and under Jim’s guidance, Historical Concepts has evolved into an award-winning architecture and planning firm dedicated to creating homes and communities that have all the beauty and character found in America’s most beloved towns and villages.

After leaving the University of Georgia and before his studies at Yale’s Graduate School of Architecture, Jim served in the United States Army Special Forces as a Green Beret stationed in West Germany along the Iron Curtain. Jim’s simultaneous ability to act with humility while leading by example has formed an elemental aspect of his design philosophy. His keen sense of teamwork recognizes that the best ideas come from an open forum.

Sharing his knowledge and experience with young students, Jim is proud to have taught at the Georgia Institute of Technology and to have served as a guest critic at the Universities of Miami and Notre Dame. In addition to the firm’s many awards and publications, Jim was personally recognized by Southern Accents in their inaugural “Masters of the House” feature, showcasing architects, designers, and builders who honor the South’s architectural legacy.

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Andrew B. Cogar

President

Andrew began his architectural career with Historical Concepts in 1999, after serving 3 years of active duty as a Combat Engineer Officer with the United States Army. Little did he know that his assignment overseas would forge such a strong bridge between his education and his future profession. Stationed in Bamberg, Germany, in the heart of Bavaria, Andrew was immersed in old world urbanism, an environment that affirmed his belief in the new urbanist principles he had learned at the University of Miami’s School of Architecture.

Promoted to Principal in 2007 and named President in 2016, Andrew is a place-making specialist and has guided some of the firm’s most prominent custom residential, developer, and civic projects. Andrew is also a natural leader with exceptional communication and management abilities, traits that served him well as he spearheaded the opening of Historical Concepts’ first satellite office, now the main hub of the firm’s practice, located in a live-work building designed by the firm in the Glenwood Park community of Atlanta. More recently, Andrew was instrumental in establishing Historical Concepts’ New York office, located in the historic St. James Building in Manhattan’s Flatiron District.

Andrew has a history of leadership with the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art on the national level, and is also Trustee Emeritus of the ICAA’s Southeast Chapter. He was a founding member of the Atlanta chapter of the Congress for the New Urbanism and is a member of the American Institute of Architects. Andrew has also been recognized by the Atlanta design and business community, selected as one of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles “20 Under 40” and the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “40 Under 40” program. He is an active member of the Design Leadership Network and a sought-after speaker on the topic of traditional architecture and design.


Profiled in Atlanta Business Chronicle
Military Service Inspires Architectural Career.
September 9, 2016

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Terry Pylant

Senior Principal

Terry has been a fixture at Historical Concepts since 1989 with an accomplished history of over three decades working closely with clients and team members in creating hundreds of successful projects, several of which have won prestigious design awards and have been published nationally. As Managing Principal and Director of Studio Development, Terry now works among all of the studios mentoring team members and sharing knowledge from his years of experience.

Professional and Civic Affiliations:

  • Institute of Classical Architecture & Art
  • Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
  • Georgia Conservancy
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Aaron Daily

Senior Principal, Director of Best Practices

Aaron’s tenure with Historical Concepts began in 1997, when he left his home state of Kansas armed with a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Kansas State University. In the two decades since, he has spearheaded the design of a wide range of projects, from custom homes to complex commercial buildings. A strong consensus builder, Aaron has also been instrumental in many of the firm’s civic projects, successfully guiding community outreach and stakeholder meetings for prominent municipal and county clients. While Aaron continues to contribute to the design of select projects, he has now taken on the critical role of Director of Best Practices and is responsible for keeping abreast of the latest research and information on building science. He then provides education and training to Historical Concepts’ staff to ensure that the most current construction methods and technologies are incorporated into the firm’s specifications and construction documents.

Professional and Civic Affiliations:

  • American Institute of Architects
  • Institute of Classical Architecture & Art
  • Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
  • Georgia Conservancy
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Kevin P. Clark

Senior Principal

Kevin’s first exposure to Historical Concepts was as a summer intern in 2001. Upon graduating, he chose to return to the firm, confident it was the right place to fully explore his unique skill set: a passion for traditional design, a keen understanding of business development, and strong, natural leadership abilities. Promoted to Principal in 2010 and Senior Principal in 2020, Kevin credits his classical education from the University of Notre Dame for his success in designing many notable and award-winning custom residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects. Despite this classical foundation, he is equally inspired to push the boundaries of vernacular for those clients who desire a contemporary or transitional spin on traditional forms and design. He is also a passionate planner with an in-depth understanding of the complex relationship between the character of the built environment and its effect on both individuals and communities.

Professional and Civic Affiliations:

  • American Institute of Architects
  • University of Georgia and Georgia Institute of Technology ~ Guest Lecturer
  • Congress for the New Urbanism ~ Founding Member of the Atlanta Chapter; Co-Chair of the 18th Annual Congress in Atlanta
  • Urban Land Institute ~ Center for Regional Leadership Development Program (2010)
  • Institute of Classical Architecture & Art
  • Design Leadership Network
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Todd Strickland

Managing Principal

Todd joined Historical Concepts in 1993 and serves as the Managing Principal. He employs a conservative and consistent business philosophy in overseeing all aspects of the firm’s operations and finances. This philosophy is the framework upon which Historical Concepts manages growth while still maintaining the highest levels of design quality and client service.

Todd is also a dedicated and hands-on manager who directly coordinates the firm’s recruiting, hiring, and evaluation efforts. Seeing each employee as a long-term commitment, Todd’s goal is to make sure that every staff member is a valued contributor to the firm’s success, providing a platform to showcase his/her unique skills and abilities. He thoroughly enjoys working with all members of the Historical Concepts team to constantly explore ways to improve the firm.

Todd is also a passionate advocate for traditional architecture and planning, believing the approach is instrumental in creating places that age well and foster strong communities, and he has formally explored these principles by completing city and regional planning courses at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Having worked with his father, Jim Strickland, from an early age, Todd has had a unique exposure to architecture and planning, as well as construction and real estate development. With an understanding of how these professions work together to affect our built environment, Todd actively works with civic and professional organizations in promoting quality-oriented development practices.

Professional and Civic Affiliations:

  • Development Authority of Peachtree City ~ former Chairman
  • Fayette County Development Authority ~ Board Member
  • Institute of Classical Architecture & Art ~ Founding Member and former Treasurer of the Southeast Chapter
  • Congress for the New Urbanism
  • American Association of Planners
  • Georgia Downtown Association
  • Southern Conservation Trust
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Domenick Treschitta

Senior Principal

Domenick found his way to Historical Concepts in 2002, making a transition from a successful career at General Electric after completing a master’s degree in architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Promoted to Principal in 2012, Domenick finds great satisfaction in the creative aspects of his second career, but still draws upon his corporate experience. His business acumen is an asset to the firm, and his understanding of the financial aspects of construction and development results in a unique rapport with his custom residential and developer clients. Domenick led Historical Concepts’ initiative to introduce traditional architecture to his alma mater’s curriculum, eventually serving as professor of a popular and fruitful course at Georgia Tech: several of his former students are now members of the Historical Concepts team. With a passion for preservation and redevelopment, Domenick has personally completed both new infill construction and period-sensitive renovations in many historic communities.

Professional and Civic Affiliations:

  • American Institute of Architects
  • Institute of Classical Architecture & Art ~ Board Member of Southeast chapter
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Elizabeth C. Dillon

Principal

Elizabeth joined Historical Concepts in 2005 after completing her Bachelor of Architecture with a second major in anthropology at the University of Notre Dame. Elizabeth’s interest in architecture was first sparked by holidays spent exploring the historic Pennsylvania homes of her grandmothers. This youthful curiosity eventually grew into a deep fascination with old houses, encouraged by the eclectic residential styles that made up the village of Skaneateles, the quaint upstate New York town where she grew up. Elizabeth is drawn to projects that adapt traditional forms and architectural elements to the modern family’s lifestyle, with an eye for sustainable design that focuses on traditional concepts, creativity, and selective use of green “gizmos.” After several years of living in the South, Elizabeth returned to her home state in 2014 to help Historical Concepts establish an office in Manhattan. Now a Principal with the firm, she manages an assortment of large custom residential projects and leads a New York-based design studio. She has served as both the Treasurer and the Vice President of the Southeast Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art and currently serves on the Finance Committee of the Institute’s national board.

Professional and Civic Affiliations:

  • American Institute of Architects
  • Congress for the New Urbanism
  • Institute of Classical Architecture & Art ~ Member, College of Fellows
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Clay Rokicki

Principal, Director of Design Enrichment

PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL IN 2019, CLAY first shared his artistic and architectural talents with Historical Concepts in 2005 as a participant in the firm’s summer internship program. After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in architecture and a concentration in furniture design, he rejoined Historical Concepts’ team of traditionalists in Atlanta and has been here ever since. In addition to leading one of Historical Concepts’ design studios, Clay serves as the Director of Design Enrichment, developing creative learning opportunities to increase team collaboration and enrich the individual skills of our design team members. In 2010, Clay was awarded the J. Neel Reid Fellowship from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, enabling him to sketch his way through southern England, a field study experience he credits for refining his understanding of composition, materials, and the harmonious arrangement of buildings to landscape.  He is actively involved with the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, chairing the Education Committee for the Southeast Chapter, as well serving on the College of Fellows and teaching various subjects at the national level. Beyond architecture, Clay’s passions include playing guitar, running, reading, and spending time with family.

Professional and Civic Affiliations:

  • Institute of Classical Architecture & Art ~ Education Committee Chair, Southeast chapter
  • Institute of Classical Architecture & Art ~ Instructor, National (field drawing, the classical orders, and mouldings)
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David VanGroningen

Principal

When it comes to architecture and planning, DAVID VANGRONINGEN is a true generalist and appreciates “doing a little bit of everything”, something he discovered as an intern at Historical Concepts in the summer of 2006. The culture of inclusion, collaboration, and mentorship he experienced that summer is a big reason why he chose to join Historical Concepts in 2007 after earning his undergraduate degree in architecture from the University of Miami. These values were instilled in David through his participation in high school and collegiate athletics, and they are fundamental to his relationships with fellow HC team members, clients, designers, and contractors. Promoted to Principal in 2021, David believes that contextual designs that incorporate the local vernacular can become timeless places and buildings that positively influence society for generations to come. These beliefs, combined with his passion for understanding how things work, have enabled him to lead a range of projects, from planning communities to complex custom homes and commercial projects.

Professional and Civic Affiliations:

  • Institute of Classical Architecture & Art ~ Guest Lecturer
  • University of Miami ~ Guest Lecturer and Design Juror
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Dawn M. Fritz

Partner, Director of Marketing

In 2001, DAWN FRITZ answered a classified ad to help Historical Concepts prepare some professional award entries, a job that was supposed to last a few weeks: she has been with the firm ever since and became a Partner in 2021. As the firm’s Director of Marketing, she enjoys speaking with prospective clients and sharing news about the firm with members of the media, bloggers, and via social media. In college, Dawn was an early adopter of “desktop publishing”, taking loans to buy a Macintosh SE (with a whopping 20 MB hard drive), and is amazed that she now gets paid for what was once an “expensive hobby.” She studied public relations and English at the University of Miami, and later earned a Master of Public Administration from the university’s School of Business. To date, her proudest Historical Concepts achievement was managing the production of the firm’s book, “Coming Home”, seeing it on bookstore shelves, and tracking its immense popularity on Amazon. Dawn’s responsibilities include scouting the firm’s finished projects and working with professional photographers to capture the true essence of each one. She particularly enjoys the fact that her position enables her to “read magazines on the job”, a perk that has resulted in a lengthy list of interior designers she’d love to see the firm collaborate with. Dawn says that her job as brand manager has many parallels to the work of Historical Concepts’ design team members; she’s given a project with a program and parameters, and has to create a vision and plan to bring it to life.

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