Rehler Vaughn & Koone, Inc. (RVK) is a San Antonio based design firm offering professional services in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and computer visualization.

The firm was established on January 1, 1971, by Architect Ken Rehler (1942-2005). In 1976, the office was incorporated when Architects George P. Vaughn and John W. Koone became partners. Mr. Rehler, Mr. Vaughn and Mr. Koone worked together continuously for 32 years.

They were joined by six additional principals - Interior Designer Patricia A. Trenton in 1981 (retired 2005), Architect Kenneth Zuschlag in 1990, Architect David Bomersbach in 1993, Interior Designer Judith K. Zimmerman in 1998, Landscape Architect Kimberley M. Wolf in 1998 and Architect Richard A. Keeler in 2003.

Design Philosophy

The firm’s practice has been built on a consistent philosophy: while endeavoring to provide the same level of service to every client - an exceptional design, on time and within the budget - RVK recognizes that each client is unique and each design solution must be a creative response to the particular client’s needs.

RVK’s approach to design is contextual. Their portfolio of over $850 million in completed construction has no consistent “look,” but rather each design attempts to respond to the special qualities of site context as well as the client’s functional needs and budget constraints. Some RVK designs are, by virtue of their function and location, intended to call attention to themselves; others are purposely designed as low-key “background” projects, when program and site conditions dictate.

The RVK philosophy has proven to be successful. While numerous awards for design excellence attest to the quality of the firm’s work, a more important measure of performance is the consistently high level of client satisfaction they have been able to achieve. RVK’s continuing success is a direct result of repeat work and referrals from satisfied clients.

RVK maintains a diverse design practice and has completed work in a wide variety of project types for both public and private sector clients.

Quality Management

RVK is committed to total design quality. The firm has adopted an on-going philosophy of quality management to assure both design and technical excellence on each project they undertake.

To this end, RVK has established a senior staff team responsible for on-going staff training to maximize quality in specific areas of architectural practice. The goal of RVK is to minimize errors and to assure a quality work product at each phase of the design process.

George P. Vaughn, AIA, is responsible for the firm’s design quality. Mr. Vaughn serves as the firm’s lead design architect and planner. He also guides design work by RVK staff and consultants throughout the design process. RVK has received 52 design awards for architectural design excellence during the past 35 years. Mr. Vaughn shares the business management of the firm with John Koone.

John W. Koone, CCS, leads RVK’s building technology quality effort. Mr. Koone provides technical guidance for the design team’s work as construction documentation progresses and also reviews consultant work for accuracy and coordination with architectural documents. Mr. Koone is a recognized expert in the field of construction technology and technical specifications.

David Bomersbach, AIA, is the lead architect and project manager for many of the firm’s largest projects. He also oversees the firm’s financial management as well as RVK’s computer technology systems. He monitors and reviews computer software and CAD drafting standards for the firm. Mr. Bomersbach also provides in-house continuing education for RVK’s professional staff to keep the firm at the forefront of emerging computer technology.

Time Management

RVK is an action-oriented design firm. They have found that their best work is done when the design team’s efforts are intense and concentrated into relatively short blocks of time.

The firm has experience in fast-track, design-build, and turn-key construction formats as well as conventional project sequencing. RVK consistently produces quality design work and technical documentation within the client’s required time frame.

Design Technology

RVK’s state-of-the-art architectural practice includes the latest computers, software and equipment to keep the firm at the leading edge of design and construction technology.

Since 1976, RVK has been a leader in the use of computers in architecture and has fully integrated computerized word processing, cost estimating, and computer assisted design and drafting (CAD) into their practice. RVK’s design and construction drawings as well as technical specifications, cost estimates and all construction paperwork are generated using a network of in-house computer systems.

RVK does not have a CAD “department” but rather an entire staff of professionals trained to use computer technology to produce the work. Every professional at RVK has received both accredited college training and continuing in-house training in the use of computers in architecture, interior design and landscape architecture.

RVK currently employs a Microsoft Windows Server system for their network environment with client computers running either Windows 2000 Professional or XP Professional. Hard copies are created on a state-of-the-art Xerox Laser Plotter, Epson Stylus Pro 9600 and Tektronix Color Laser Printers, and numerous monochrome HP Laser Printers. RVK employs AutoCad for CAD and Microsoft Office Word as well as WordPerfect for word processing.

Cost Control

RVK has earned a reputation for completing projects within budget limitations. Their approach to cost control is to establish a continuous costing process throughout a project’s design and documentation. At RVK, cost control involves the on-going interaction of design decision-making with cost budgeting.

The firm employs a computer cost estimating program (of their own design) which can provide base cost data even before design work is started, and can be continually refined as more design information is developed. RVK clients can be systematically apprised of their project budgets as they develop. In this way, projects can consistently be good values as well as good designs.