Designing Experiences Worldwide
Architecture, Interior Design and Engineering for Cinema, Entertainment, Food & Beverage and Retail Destinations
Built on Experience.
Designed for What’s Next.
Founded in 1981 by Ted Knapp, TK Architects has spent more than four decades designing places where people gather, connect and create memorable experiences. What began as an architecture-only firm in Kansas City has grown into an internationally recognized practice across cinema, entertainment, food and beverage, retail and mixed-use environments.
Today, architecture, interior design, graphic design, structural engineering and MEP engineering all work under one roof. One team carries each project from first concept through completion, with fewer handoffs, earlier problem-solving and destinations designed to perform long after opening day.
WHAT WE DO
Everything It Takes to Bring an Experience to Life.
ARCHITECTURE
INTERIOR DESIGN
GRAPHIC DESIGN
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
MEP ENGINEERING
Architecture
Architecture is at the core of what we do, by transforming ideas, opportunities, and experiences into thoughtful, functional, and distinctive spaces. Our team brings expertise across entertainment, cinema, food and beverage, retail, and mixed-use environments, balancing design vision with the practical demands of budget, schedule, operations, and construct-ability. From initial concept through documentation and construction, we work closely with clients, operators, consultants, and project partners to create tailored architectural solutions that support both the guest experience and the long-term success of the project.
Interior Design
Interior design shapes how people experience a space. Our team develops interiors that are purposeful, engaging, and aligned with the identity and goals of each project. From material selections, finishes, furniture, and lighting concepts to spatial planning and detailing, we consider every element as part of the larger experience. By integrating interior design with architecture and our other in-house disciplines, we create cohesive environments that are memorable for guests, functional for operators, and designed to perform over time.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Graphic design plays an important role in defining a space, strengthening a brand, and guiding the guest experience. Our graphic design team develops visual solutions that seamlessly integrate with the architecture and interiors, including environmental graphics, signage, wayfinding, branding, and other visual elements. We consider how guests interact with and navigate a space, using graphics to communicate information, reinforce identity, create visual moments, and bring the overall design concept to life.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Structural engineering is an essential part of creating spaces that are both innovative and buildable. Our structural engineers collaborate closely with our architects, interior designers, and project partners to develop efficient, reliable structural solutions that support the design vision while addressing performance, construct-ability, cost, and site-specific requirements. With an understanding of the unique demands of entertainment and commercial environments, we approach each project with a focus on integrating structure into the overall design rather than treating it as a separate component.
MEP ENGINEERING
Our mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services bring the systems behind a project together to create comfortable, efficient, and high-performing environments. Our MEP engineers work alongside the architectural, interior design, and structural teams from the earliest stages of design to coordinate building systems with the needs of guests, operators, and technology. From HVAC and electrical infrastructure to plumbing, life-safety systems, and specialized equipment, we develop practical engineering solutions that support the functionality, efficiency, and long-term performance of each project.
WHY TK
One Team. One Vision. From Concept
Through Completion.
Creative Vision
+ Technical Expertise
+ Operational Understanding
= Better Experiences
Choosing the right design partner means finding a team that understands more than how to design a building. At TK Architects, we bring architecture, interior design, graphic design, structural engineering, and MEP engineering together under one roof, creating a collaborative process that connects every aspect of a project from concept through completion. This integrated approach allows us to identify challenges early, streamline coordination, and develop solutions that are both creative and practical.
For more than four decades, TK has built its reputation on designing places where people gather, connect, and create memorable experiences. Our experience across cinema, entertainment, food and beverage, retail, and mixed-use environments gives us a unique understanding of the operational, technical, and experiential demands behind successful projects. We work closely with our clients, operators, consultants, vendors, and project partners to understand what matters most and turn those priorities into a cohesive, buildable design.
We believe the best projects come from strong relationships and a willingness to collaborate. Our team is committed to listening, solving problems, and staying engaged throughout the process instead of simply delivering a set of drawings. Whether we are developing a new destination from the ground up or transforming an existing space, we bring the expertise, creativity, and technical knowledge needed to move ideas forward and exceed expectations.
Our work
Designed for the Way People Gather,
Connect & Experience.
Featured project · South Jordan, Utah · 2025
Larry H. Miller
Megaplex at Daybreak
Services: Architecture · Structural Engineering · MEP Engineering
Recognition
Our Process
- 01
Discover
We start by understanding the project, the people behind it, and what success looks like. Through conversations, research, and early exploration, we establish the goals, priorities, opportunities, and challenges that will shape the work ahead.
- 02
Define
With a clear understanding of the vision, we begin defining the project’s direction. We explore ideas, develop strategies, and establish a framework that balances design goals with practical considerations such as budget, schedule, operations, and site conditions.
- 03
Design
Ideas begin to take shape through design. Our multidisciplinary team collaborates across architecture, interiors, graphics, and engineering to develop a cohesive solution that reflects the project’s vision and responds to its unique requirements.
- 04
Develop
As the design evolves, we refine the details and coordinate the many elements that bring a project together. Our team works closely with clients, consultants, operators, vendors, and other project partners to resolve challenges and ensure the design is practical, coordinated, and buildable.
- 05
Deliver
We translate the design into the information needed to move the project forward. From documentation and permitting to construction coordination, our team remains engaged to help navigate the complexities of bringing the vision to reality.
- 06
Experience
The finished project is where design meets the people who use it. We strive to create spaces that not only meet the needs of our clients and operators, but also create meaningful, memorable experiences for the people who walk through the doors.
40+ Years of Designing Destinations.
Recognized for the Work. Respected by the Industry.
TK’s projects and people continue to earn recognition from across the cinema and entertainment industry, for design excellence, innovation and leadership.
Project Awards
- Megaplex DaybreakICTA NACA Best New Cinema Build · ICF Builder Award · Boxoffice Pro Blue Ribbon2025–26
- Malco ParadisoBoxoffice Pro Blue Ribbon2026
- Epic Theatres of West VolusiaBoxoffice Pro Blue Ribbon2026
- FatCats SurpriseBoxoffice Pro Blue Ribbon2022
Industry Leadership
- Theresa EnglishICTA Allen Award2026
- Theresa EnglishTop Women in Global Cinema2020 & 2021
- Tamra KnappTop 50 Women in Global Cinema2020
- Mike CummingsCTC Lifetime Achievement Award2020
What’s Happening at TK
The Entertainment Destination Playbook: Part 2 The Future-Proof Entertainment Venue
August 2026 In entertainment, change isn't coming. It's already here. New technologies are changing how guests interact with entertainment. Consumer expectations continue to evolve. Operators are adapting their business models, introducing new attractions, rethinking...
The Entertainment Destination Playbook: Part 1
August 2026 Designing for Revenue, Flexibility, and the Guest Experience Entertainment is no longer about a single attraction. Today’s most successful entertainment destinations bring together cinema, food & beverage, games, social spaces, premium experiences, and...
Exploring New Markets: TK Attends Two Industry Expos in San Antonio
August 2026 This summer, TK attended two industry conferences that were new experiences for our team. Both events were held at the Henry B. González Convention Center along San Antonio's famous River Walk and focused on industries adjacent to our traditional work in...
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of projects does TK Architects specialize in?
What services does TK Architects provide in-house?
Does TK Architects work on both new construction and renovations?
How early should TK Architects become involved in a project?
Can TK handle architecture, interiors, graphics, and engineering as one coordinated team?
Can TK help create or strengthen the brand experience within a space?
Yes. TK’s graphic design and branding capabilities can integrate identity into the physical environment through branding, environmental graphics, signage, wayfinding, and other visual elements. The goal is to connect the brand with the architecture and interior experience rather than treating graphics as an afterthought.
How does TK balance creative design with budget, operations, and constructability?
TK’s approach considers the realities of operating and building a venue alongside the creative vision. Its project-development process progressively refines layouts, equipment, structural systems, building systems, specifications, and construction requirements, while its broader entertainment-design philosophy emphasizes practical operation and the long-term life of the facility.