Welcome to the Arcfluence Podcast

Columbus Architects Launch Arcfluence: Your Guide to Ohio Architecture & Design

The Arcfluence Podcast began as a conversation among Nick Karakaian, Paul Fatkins, and Nino Samardzic about architecture, development, and the decisions that shape projects in Columbus. Their perspectives span residential real estate, renovation, technical project delivery, healthcare, and high-rise work.

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Arcfluence brings architectural and real estate perspectives to the same table. In this inaugural episode, Nick, Paul, and Nino discuss the experiences that shaped their work and the value of looking at design, delivery, and property strategy together.

Recorded at the Arcfluence office, the conversation traces relationships that began at Kent State University’s architecture program and continued into professional practice in Central Ohio.

Why Top Architects Choose Columbus: From Kent State to Ohio’s Capital

The partners’ journey to establishing their Columbus architecture firm began at Kent State University’s respected architecture program in 2004-2007. While many Ohio architecture graduates flee to coastal cities, these three architects deliberately chose Columbus after gaining diverse experience across the country. Their paths illuminate why Columbus has become a magnet for design talent.

Nick Karakaian took the entrepreneurial route, moving from New York City real estate development to Columbus in 2016, recognizing the city’s untapped potential for thoughtful architectural renovation. His experience renovating Queens properties and designing luxury Manhattan kitchens brought a sophisticated understanding of space optimization perfect for Columbus’s growing urban core. “I sold my Queens house for twice what I paid and realized Columbus offered the same growth potential with better quality of life,” Nick explains.

Paul Fatkins honed his skills at a 200-person Chicago firm designing high-rise residential towers across the country before joining Columbus’s Larson firm. His expertise in vertical living solutions proves invaluable as Columbus densifies, with new towers planned for the Arena District, Franklinton, and downtown. Licensed in 19 states, Paul brings national perspective to local Columbus projects.

Nino Samardzic spent 13 years mastering healthcare architecture in Cleveland, leading teams on multi-million dollar hospital expansions. His expertise in complex building codes and life-safety systems elevates Arcfluence’s capabilities for Columbus’s growing medical corridor along Route 315 and the expanding Ohio State Wexner Medical Center campus.

Columbus Architecture Firm Addresses Ohio’s Design Challenges

Arcfluence positions itself uniquely in the Columbus architecture landscape by combining high-level commercial expertise with hands-on residential experience. While many Columbus architecture firms specialize in either homes or offices, Arcfluence handles everything from German Village historic renovations to modern healthcare facilities, from Short North mixed-use developments to suburban custom homes in New Albany and Dublin.

The firm’s multi-disciplinary approach addresses Columbus’s specific challenges: preserving historic character in Victorian Village while accommodating growth, designing for Ohio’s dramatic seasonal changes, navigating Columbus’s evolving zoning codes, and creating spaces that attract tech talent competing with Austin and Seattle. Their Kent State roots give them deep understanding of Ohio building traditions, while their national experience brings fresh solutions to local problems.

Future podcast episodes will tackle Columbus-specific topics including navigating the city’s permit process, designing ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) under new zoning allowances, converting downtown office buildings to residential use, maximizing property values in hot neighborhoods like Italian Village and Clintonville, and understanding historic district requirements in German Village and Victorian Village. They’ll also explore broader architectural trends affecting Central Ohio.

The Columbus Advantage: Why Architecture Matters More Than Ever

Columbus stands at a pivotal moment. Intel’s announced plans to invest more than $28 billion in New Albany, along with other major regional investments, reinforce the need for thoughtful architecture that can accommodate growth while maintaining community character. The city added more than 100,000 residents between the 2010 and 2020 censuses. This creates meaningful opportunities for architects who understand both preservation and progress.

”Columbus offers something unique,” explains Paul Fatkins. “We have the bones of beautiful historic neighborhoods, the energy of a growing tech hub, and the space to experiment with new ideas. You can’t find that combination in many places.” The architects point to successful projects like the Bridge Park development in Dublin, the ongoing transformation of Franklinton, and the preservation successes in German Village as models for thoughtful growth.

Arcfluence’s Columbus location provides advantages for clients too. Lower overhead than coastal firms means competitive pricing. Familiarity with local contractors and suppliers streamlines construction. Understanding of Columbus’s specific climate challenges—from humid summers to harsh winters—ensures designs that perform year-round. And deep relationships with city planners and review boards smooth the approval process.

Mixed-Use Development: Columbus’s Architecture Future

The conversation reveals Columbus’s shift toward mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods—a dramatic change from the car-centric suburban sprawl of previous decades. Nino Samardzic describes recent presentations by Columbus city officials emphasizing this transition: “They’re finally saying goodbye to modernist zoning that separates everything. Now we’re weaving commercial, residential, and office uses together like successful neighborhoods in New York or Chicago.”

This shift appears throughout Columbus. The Scioto Peninsula development mixes residential towers with retail and office space. Grandview Yard combines urban townhomes with shopping and restaurants. Even suburban communities like Westerville and Worthington embrace mixed-use village centers. For architects, this means designing flexible spaces that can evolve with changing uses—today’s retail might be tomorrow’s co-working space or medical office.

The partners also discuss how COVID accelerated changes in Columbus architecture. Home offices became essential, not optional. Outdoor spaces gained importance. Multi-generational living drove demand for ADUs and flexible floor plans. “We’re designing homes differently now,” notes Nick. “Every Columbus home needs dedicated workspace, better ventilation, and connection to outdoor areas. These aren’t luxury features anymore—they’re baseline expectations.”

Understanding Columbus Building Codes and Permits

A revealing moment comes when the architects discuss Columbus’s evolving permit requirements. Nick recalls submitting hand-sketched drawings for his first Columbus flip just six years ago—impossible today. Now, the city requires detailed documentation including appliance placement, electrical load calculations, and structural engineering for any significant modifications.

”Columbus used to be relatively easy for permits,” Paul explains. “But as the city grows and professionalizes, requirements increase. We now show GFI outlet locations, provide energy calculations, and often need engineer stamps even for residential work.” This evolution reflects Columbus’s transformation from a regional city to a major metropolitan area with corresponding professional standards.

The discussion of LVL beams (Laminated Veneer Lumber) illustrates how modern Columbus homes demand sophisticated structural solutions. Open floor plans—essential for contemporary living—require engineered beams that can span greater distances than traditional lumber. Arcfluence’s commercial experience proves invaluable here, applying techniques from hospital and office construction to residential projects.

Columbus Real Estate Investment and Architecture

The architects bring unique perspective to Columbus’s red-hot real estate market. With median home prices up 40% in five years and neighborhoods like Italian Village seeing even steeper appreciation, smart architectural decisions can dramatically impact investment returns. Nick’s experience flipping properties throughout Columbus—from Clintonville craftsmans to Victorian Village doubles—provides practical insights for investors.

”Architecture isn’t just about aesthetics in Columbus’s market,” Nick emphasizes. “It’s about understanding what features drive value in specific neighborhoods. German Village buyers want authentic restoration. Short North demands modern amenities. Grandview appreciates contemporary updates that respect mid-century character. Knowing these preferences is crucial for ROI.”

The firm’s approach to investment properties goes beyond cosmetic updates. They analyze highest and best use—should that Weinland Park double become condos? Can that Franklinton warehouse convert to lofts? Would adding an ADU in Victorian Village generate enough rental income to justify construction costs? This strategic thinking, combined with technical expertise, helps investors maximize returns in Columbus’s competitive market.

Healthcare Architecture: Columbus’s Growing Medical Sector

Nino’s healthcare expertise positions Arcfluence to serve Columbus’s expanding medical sector. With Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and OhioHealth’s multiple facilities, Columbus ranks among the Midwest’s premier healthcare hubs. The recent announcement of a new $2 billion Ohio State hospital tower exemplifies the sector’s growth.

”Healthcare architecture is probably the most complex building type,” Nino explains. “You’re designing for patients under anesthesia who can’t evacuate themselves. You need redundant systems, specialized ventilation, radiation shielding. A linear accelerator room requires three-foot-thick concrete walls. Every detail affects life safety.”

This expertise benefits residential clients too. Healthcare’s emphasis on accessibility, natural light for healing, and infection control translates into homes that age gracefully with owners. Anti-microbial surfaces, improved ventilation, and universal design principles create healthier living environments—lessons particularly relevant post-pandemic.

High-Rise Living Comes to Columbus

Paul’s experience designing residential towers in Chicago, Hawaii, and across the country is increasingly relevant as Columbus considers more vertical housing. Planned developments in the Arena District and proposals for downtown high-rises signal the city’s continued evolution toward greater density.

”Columbus is where Chicago was 20 years ago,” Paul observes. “The infrastructure exists for vertical growth—we just need the vision and execution. My experience with 40-story towers helps local developers understand possibilities and pitfalls. How do you handle wind loads in the Midwest? How do you create community in a vertical environment? These aren’t theoretical questions anymore for Columbus.”

The discussion reveals how high-rise expertise influences smaller projects too. Stacking systems vertically, managing sound transmission, creating efficient circulation—these lessons from tower design improve three-story mixed-use buildings in the Short North or Grandview. As Columbus grows up rather than out, this vertical thinking becomes essential.

From New York to Columbus: Bringing Coastal Design Sensibility

Nick’s decade in New York City provides Arcfluence with sophisticated design sensibility often missing in Midwest firms. His work with avant-garde designer Vito Acconci and experience renovating Queens properties brings international perspective to Columbus projects.

”New York taught me that every square foot matters,” Nick reflects. “In Manhattan, you optimize everything—storage, light, flow. Columbus clients might have more space, but applying that discipline creates remarkably efficient homes. A 1,500-square-foot Columbus house, properly designed, lives like 2,000 square feet.”

This efficiency proves particularly valuable in Columbus’s urban neighborhoods where lot sizes constrain building footprints. In Victorian Village or Harrison West, maximizing limited space while maintaining neighborhood character requires the kind of creative solutions Nick perfected in New York. His Google office planning experience adds another layer—understanding how workspace design affects productivity helps Columbus professionals optimize home offices.

The Future of Columbus Architecture

The podcast concludes with the architects’ vision for Columbus’s architectural future. They see a city learning to balance preservation with progress, density with livability, innovation with tradition. The mistakes of urban renewal—demolishing Union Station, bisecting neighborhoods with highways—taught Columbus to value its architectural heritage. Now the challenge is accommodating growth while maintaining character.

”Columbus has incredible bones,” emphasizes Paul. “Our streetcar suburbs like Clintonville and Bexley, our intact historic districts, our parkland system—these create a framework for smart growth. Our job as architects is building on these strengths while addressing modern needs.”

The partners envision Columbus neighborhoods where residents walk to coffee shops and grocery stores, where ADUs provide affordable housing and aging-in-place options, where historic buildings adapt to new uses, and where contemporary architecture complements rather than competes with traditional forms. It’s an ambitious vision requiring architects who understand both global trends and local context.