JKAE is celebrating 40 years of award-winning architecture and engineering services. Serving Northern California and Northern Nevada, the firm’s team of visionary professionals specializes in architecture, civil engineering, structural engineering, interior design, and surveying. 

Founded by Jordan Knighton in Auburn in 1984 as an architecture firm, JKAE has grown steadily and responsibly, adding multiple core services, several locations and expanded market scope over four decades. Today, in addition to Auburn, they serve out of offices in Truckee-Tahoe and San Jose, California, and Reno, Nevada. 

JKAE is now guided by three partners: architect Derek Labrecque, architect Chris Vicencio, and civil engineer Ken Anderson. Together, they oversee the firm’s comprehensive services and a team of more than 50 architects, engineers, designers, and surveyors as well as their valuable corporate and administrative staff.

“Ultimately, our goal is to IMAGINE + DESIGN + BUILD buildings, campuses, and communities that enrich the human experience.”— Derek Labrecque, Partner 

The firm focuses their work in four market sectors: Live, Learn, Work and Play, with projects covering residential, multifamily, educational (TK12, College & Higher Education), civic, recreation, and resort markets, among others. Seamless collaboration among JKAE’s offices brings the firm’s combined excellence to every project. Current and recent projects in the Greater Sacramento region include the San Juan Unified School District’s Facilities Master Plan, Casa Roble High School’s Student Union, and Butte College’s New Science Building and Planetarium. 

The firm’s work has garnered multiple awards, including Design-Build Architect of the Year – USA from BUILD Magazine, Top 10 Architectural Engineering Firm from Construction Business Review Magazine, and 16 Design Build Institute of America regional and national awards. They’ve also recently received the DBIA-Western Pacific Region’s Award of Excellence for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for work on the Evergreen Valley College Language Arts Classroom and Lab project. 

“We aspire to shape the communities we serve by designing spaces that foster connectivity, inclusivity, and sustainability,” says Derek Labrecque. “By integrating sustainable practices and creating experiences that encourage social interaction, we build environments where people feel a sense of belonging and pride. Ultimately, our goal is to IMAGINE + DESIGN + BUILD buildings, campuses, and communities that enrich the human experience.”