Case Studies

Renderings for Clean Energy Company

2011-10-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

New Corporate Headquarters in Hiroshima, Japan

Renderings by Bob Kirchman and Kristina Riley of a design by Atwood Architects and Necie Casteen of Finishing Touches Interiors.

Rendering of Recycling Facility in Hiroshima

2011-06-17T11:05:00.000-07:00

Concept for the New Office of an Existing Facility

I overlayed the rendering of the new office section on a photograph of the existing plant. Design by Atwood Architects.

Stroke of Genius

2011-04-26T12:47:00.000-07:00

Miss Riley Creates an Auk

Illustration of an Auk, Coloured Pencil, by Laney Riley.

Recently we worked on a very interesting project, some educational illustrations for Civitas in Great Britian. They are using some images I developed for Core Knowkledge Foundation but needed some more that were specific to the continent of Europe.

My partner in the mural helped to produce the animal and floral icons for the illustrated maps. Her work speaks for itself.

Connemara Pony, Coloured Pencil, Illustration by Laney Riley.

Consultant position specially created for the occasion.

Preparing map images.

Modelling a Church Interior

2011-04-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

Model for a Pipe Organ Installation

Model of an organ enclosure designed by Xaver Wilhelmy.

The Return of the Small House

2010-11-30T07:02:00.001-08:00

Less is More in Today's Housing Market

A Sears Roebuck 'Argyle' home in Fairmont, West Virginia.

The Associated Press [click to read] is reporting on one sector of the housing market that is booming... the market for small houses in the $20,000 to $50,000 range is strong and should remain so in today's depressed economy.

As historical examples, such as the Sears house above prove, small need not mean without dignity. In fact, one who loves historic homes will relish the thought of a whole new generation of craftsman style bungalows.

If you are a contractor looking to tap into this wonderful market, the Kirchman Studio can help you style beautiful small homes for your clients.

Model for Hugh Newell Jacobsen

2010-04-14T07:37:00.000-07:00

Riggs Alumni Center, University of Maryland

A few years back we built this model for Hugh Newell Jacobsen's office of the proposed Riggs Alumni Center at the University of Maryland.

Detail of the Riggs Center garden.

The model in its plexiglass case.

PNOVS National Veteran's Center

2010-03-03T18:21:00.000-08:00

Helping to Create a Vision for Veteran Services

Detail of the PNOVS Center Rendering.

Detail of the PNOVS Center Rendering shows a plaza where all branches of the US Military have their seals rendered in glass organ pipes. Pipe designs by Xaver Wilhelmy.

View of the entire plaza. Glass pipe design by Xaver Wilhelmy.

PNOVS National Veteran's Center

2010-02-17T12:08:00.000-08:00

Helping to Create a Vision for Veteran Services

Depasquale Delph Gentilhomme Group Architects asked me to illustrate the new center for Premier Network of Veteran Services. Photo by E. Strong.

"Dear Bob,

I wanted to thank you again for the amazing job you did bringing PNOVS National Veteran’s Center to life. You have captured the spirit and intent of our vision beautifully. Thank you for your passion and great work!"

Depasquale Delph Gentilhomme Group, Illustration by Bob Kirchman.

Some projects just grab you. PNOVS [click to read] was one of those... an opportunity to put some substance to the gratitude we feel for our troops.

25 Years Serving the Design Profession

2009-12-29T08:52:00.000-08:00

A New Look for the Website...

Click to Visit

Study Model

2009-11-25T13:34:00.001-08:00

Making an Addition/Renovation Understandable

This model was constructed to show how some interesting use will be made of the interior spaces.

Reinventing Jefferson's Village

2009-11-19T06:57:00.000-08:00

Our Founding Father Envisioned a Nation of Villages

A village center created by Bill Atwood...

Sprawling metropolis was probably not something our founders could imagine. They saw a nation made up of villages were agriculture and industry were more localized. Today the opportunity exists to convert some of our old strip malls into centers for villages. Here is one developed by one of my clients that I helped visualize.

...in the footprint of an old strip mall.

The final design as I painted it for Atwood Architects.

Virginia's Open for Business

2009-11-04T07:33:00.000-08:00

The McDonnell Administration Will Soon Roll Out the Mat!

Concept for reuse of the old Martha Jefferson Hospital... Your new corporate headquarters?

It's time to get ready. Virginia will soon be promoting its pro-business atmosphere to the world. Here are some examples of concept development that I've done for reuse of existing properties that are opportunities waiting for people to come and fill. When you are ready to promote these opportunities Concept Development services give you an affordable way to give prospective clients the big picture.

Another view of revitalized Martha Jefferson complex.

A new look on Main Street!

It's Not About the Picture...

2009-09-11T08:19:00.001-07:00

...it's About Changing the Picture!

Vacancy rates remain high as the Fed declares recession ending.

When is the recession over for you? It is when your projects have wind in their sails again. How can an architectural presentation service help end the recession? We can provide quick visuals that help your potential client 'see' themselves in your project. We've helped put NPR's new studio in Charlottesville into one of our client's spaces and we can do the same for you.

Get some ideas at Our Web Site and call us.

Roads to Rails Exhibit

2009-08-27T18:55:00.000-07:00

B&O Museum in Ellicott City

Our model in the Roads to Rails Exhibit.

Model with plexiglass case removed for clarity.

Model with plexiglass case removed for clarity.

Detail: Top to bottom; Castle Angelo, Patapsco Hotel and B&O Station.

Banner for 'Roads to Rails.'

Civil Rights Museum

2009-07-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

Concept for Danville Galleries

'Bound for Freedom' Gallery concept.

History of 'Massive Resistance.'

Galleries set into historic school.

Reconstructing Ellicott's Mills

2009-07-10T07:10:00.000-07:00

Capturing the Feeling of 19th Century America

Photo montage of Ellicott City in 1972.

Sketch based on photos and 1854 lithograph.

Model Arrives in Baltimore

2009-07-08T19:50:00.000-07:00

Delivery to B&O Museum

Model for future inclusion in 'Roads to Rails' exhibit.

Retail Concept

2009-07-08T19:42:00.000-07:00

Enlivening a Neighborhood Revitalization

Concept development for Atwood Architects.

Model of Historic Railroad Depot

2009-06-09T18:09:00.000-07:00

Ellicott City Maryland in the Mid-nineteenth Century

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad crosses the National Road.

The Ellicotts' flour mill.

Shops in the center of town.

Its Not That Easy Being Green

2009-06-02T05:48:00.000-07:00

Parking Lot Study for Atwood Architects

South Street elevation with trees.

Plan view showing green on trellis.

Detail showing trellis elevation.

Planters inspired by Bouchart Gardens.

Celebrating 25 Years in 2010

2009-05-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

Places We've Been To...

Hugh Newell Jacobsen lectures
with some of our renderings as
a backdrop. Photo courtesy of
The Virginia Center for
Architecture.

Here is the model of the Riggs
Alumni Center we built for Mr.
Jacobsen.

Model of Forest Hills Resort in
Hiroshima, Japan.

Forest Hills Model.

Arnold Palmer inspects our
model of one of his course
designs.

Pro shop for Clubsource Design.

Model of Woodrow Wilson
Presidential Library.

Rendering of new Monticello Visitors Center.

The Art of the Presentation [click to read].

Over the years we have had the opportunity to serve some of the finest architectural designers with quality hand illustration and scale models to present their concepts. The 'Art of the Presentation' takes a look at some of the places we've been to and the fine people we have had the opportunity to serve. You'll also get a chance to see us at work creating scale models for a variety of applications.

Fine craftsmanship is essential to the building process. It is essential to the creative process as well. Come see how we've had a hand in some great projects.

Building your vision - A look at how we help bring design concepts to life...

In the Studio

2009-05-25T18:58:00.001-07:00

Creating Concepts

At the drawing board.

Watercoloring.

Model Making

2009-05-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

Creating Topography in Our Model Shop

A historical display taking shape.

Village at Afton I

2009-05-05T09:43:00.001-07:00

The Vision...

A World-Class Entrance to Shenandoah National Park,
The Blue Ridge Parkway, Waynesboro and the Valley

Today...

...tomorrow!

In earlier times it was the site of a busy Howard Johnsons and a Holiday Inn. Exit 99 on Interstate 64 was actually the preferred exit for Wintergreen before the road up the mountain was upgraded. Indeed one would have predicted a bright future for businesses located at the Southern entrance to Shenandoah National Park, the Northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the gateway to the beautiful Valley of Virginia. Today the area has fallen into ruin. Even the Afton Convenience Store is closed and the Visitors' Center is going away to a modular trailer. With the 75th anniversary of the Skyline drive approaching in 2011, it is time to think about revitalizing this important place.

So imagine the fog lifting one morning to reveal a new 'Village at Afton.' A bit of Tyrolean culture in Rockfish Gap. It is not so out of the question. [Next]

Village at Afton II

2009-05-05T09:37:00.001-07:00

The Village Economy

Bright Cafes, Cobblestones, Fine Accommodations and Shopping!

The model for this is the Village at Stratton Mountain [click to view] in Vermont, although the Village at Afton would be on a smaller scale. Guests would be able to stay in rooms and suites above the retail spaces.

Update: Lynn [SWAC Girl] just suggested that the residential units above the retail space should be for year-round living. You'd have the views like you were living in Wintergreen but you'd be living in a village. Also you would have an easy drive to Charlottesville, Waynesboro or Staunton. [Next]

Village at Afton III

2009-05-05T09:31:00.000-07:00

So What Do You Do with the Water Tower Again?

The water tower encased in a baroque chapel.

I love those villages in Europe where the church spire is the identifying landmark. It is also the tallest building in the village. Why not disguise the rusty water tower as such a church and use the spire as a cellular tower? [Next]

Village at Afton IV

2009-05-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

New Travel Center/Market/Camp Store

A new travel center.

Where the Afton Mountain Convenience Store sits now a new travel center should be constructed. The center should reflect the Tyrolean theme of the village and would be similar to the Market type stores in Charlottesville. There should be an expanded camp store and a Subway type sandwich shop for quick meals. This would be the only franchise food in the village and would be primarily aimed toward the through traveller. [Next]

Village at Afton V

2009-05-05T09:16:00.001-07:00

Renovated Inn at Afton

Renovations to the Inn at Afton.

Once one of Holiday Inn's choicest properties, the Inn at Afton could be renovated to provide clean economical accomodations and the excess capacity allows for housing seasonal staff for the village. Many resorts recruit college students to expand their Summer staff and the village should consider such a program.

Appalacian Trail hikers could also be accommodated in an economy section. The skating rink might be rebuilt if it proves feasible. [Next]

Village at Afton VI

2009-05-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

New Visitors' Center

Today...

...Tomorrow!

The Visitors' Center should be located close to the highway and be an easily recognizable feature of the village. The Camponile is designed to attract the arriving visitor. Think of Luray Caverns before the bypass and you'll likely remember the bell tower.

The mission of the Visitors' Center would simply be an expanded version of the services they now offer. Displays could be included to give visitors a taste of destinations such as the Frontier Culture Museum and the American Shakespeare Center.

New Entrance for Free Clinic

2009-04-03T13:49:00.000-07:00

Creating a Healing Space

The new entrance using Bill Atwood's Rainworks Sculpture.

The folks a the Charlottesville Free Clinic are excited about the renovations they are doing to their facitlity but they were not all that thrilled with the front entrance. It is a narrow space leading to a door in the existing health department building that they described as "sort of lifeless."

The Kirchman Studio was given the task of creating images to describe the renovation and Bob Kirchman saw the possibility for using Mr. Atwood's rain catchment system to create a healing garden in the new entrance.

"Before"

Zion Baptist Church

2009-03-14T08:02:00.000-07:00

A Really Nice Church Design by Mark Kestner

The renderings were planned to show how the new sanctuary integrates into the existing complex.

Prescription for an Old Hospital

2009-01-28T04:50:00.000-08:00

Keeping Several City Blocks Alive Takes Vision

New life for the old hospital.

When a hospital moves, it creates a void in the community fabric. Here I've developed William Atwood's concept for turning the block into a retail and residential project.

Restyled Resort

2009-01-28T04:29:00.000-08:00

Developing a Concept and Taking it to Market

Here I loosely sketched proposed improvements
right on large prints of the buildings.

It was situated on a beautiful golf course. The problem was that the resort's buildings were considered dated and a new look was needed. Working with the architect, I created quick imagery of what could be!

The golf house became a distinct feature.

The hotel was given new dignity.

I even threw in a night scene.

Some old motel units in front became a retail village.

Traditional Rendering Today

2009-01-26T11:48:00.000-08:00

How to Create a Concept in Short Order

This site will explore some ways traditional drawing methods can be used to develop and present concept architecture. Here is a refreshing approach to restyling existing buildings and addressing infill.

It's also cost effective. You supply the loose concept and we flesh it out right in your office. These renderings can be developed quickly and give you an advantage in early presentations.

Visit Our Website for more examples.