Rolf Kielman

TruexCullins & Partners Architects

Master of Architecture, University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor of Arts, Dartmouth College

Diploma in Furniture Design, Skolen for Brugkunst (Denmark)

My mother and father were both craft people. As a weaver and silversmith, they spent their lives crafting items of beauty and utility. My interest in art and architecture came through sculpture and this has spurred a sustained involvement in the craft of building design. Architecture is a child-like activity… creative, spontaneous but requiring great care and method.

Our firm is unique in the culturally diverse backgrounds of our partners. In my case, I was born in Holland, immigrated to Canada as a youth, and with the exception of work and study abroad, have spent my adult life in Vermont. While studying in Holland and Scandinavia, I developed an interest in sustainable design. From the Northern Europeans I learned how to express a people’s culture through design. New England has similar architectural traditions….build what is needed, let the craft of building be expressed, include a dose of understated whimsy… The buildings of our region are direct and purposeful and therein lies their beauty.

I enjoy collaborating with groups of people and believe it is essential to the making of good buildings. Architecture is a fun-filled journey infused with delicious surprises. The excitement of realizing a beautiful and resource efficient building is an infectious pleasure for all involved.

For information on the Oakes Hall Project at VLS:  http://www.truexcullins.com/portfolio/educultural_oakes.php