News - TK Architects

05.11 2026

45 Years In: A Perspective on People, Projects, and Progress

May 2026

45 years—the Blue Sapphire Anniversary—is quite a milestone. To me, it represents consistent leadership: people who plan ahead and lead by example.

When I interviewed over 20 years ago, I came in with an overly complicated portfolio to show off my design abilities (something we’ve all laughed about since). What I wanted was to be at an architecture firm. I had previously been at a large engineering firm with an architecture department, where design often felt like an afterthought.

Fortunately, Mike, Jack, and Tamra saw something in me that I’m not sure I fully recognized at the time. What I saw in TK was a close-knit team doing work that felt both thoughtful and exciting. At that point, I knew very little about cinema, entertainment, or food and beverage design. Through their patience—and my many questions—I began to understand the technical side of the spaces that define our core building types.

I was encouraged to restart my licensure process and supported in participating in the AIA Pillars Leadership Program. Following in Ted and Mike’s footsteps, attending International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) expanded both my technical knowledge and my relationships with vendors across the industry.

Ted and the principals at the time would return from trade shows energized, sharing stories about clients and ideas they were excited about. What I didn’t fully realize then was that they were building a brand with international recognition. By the time I began attending those same events, many doors were already open—relationships had been built long before I stepped into the room.

Over time, the firm expanded to include in-house structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering. That shift changed how we work in a meaningful way. While TK has always maintained strong relationships with external consultants, having these disciplines under one roof brings a different level of collaboration. It allows for real-time problem-solving, stronger mentorship, and a more integrated approach—something especially valuable for younger staff as they learn how all aspects of a project come together.

Our relationships with vendors are a direct reflection of our 45-year history. Many of these partnerships go back to the early days of the firm, and in some cases, span multiple generations—much like TK itself now supports its third generation of ownership. These long-standing relationships bring a level of trust and creativity to projects where everyone is invested in delivering the best possible outcome.

The same can be said for our clients. Many are family-owned businesses that have also transitioned through generations. Each brings a new perspective while continuing to build on an established brand. That shared history creates a natural rhythm in how we work together, and it often leads to stronger, more thoughtful projects. We’ve had the opportunity to see these brands evolve alongside our own.

With a firm of this longevity, there are even projects where we’ve worked on the same building across multiple ownerships—designing the original space, then later renovating it for a new client, and occasionally even a third. Each iteration brings a new identity and guest experience, and being part of that evolution is one of the more rewarding aspects of our work.

As we move into year 46, our focus remains the same: continue pushing design forward, strengthening relationships with clients and vendors, and leading within the entertainment, cinema, and food and beverage industries. We’re also continuing to explore new concepts and areas of growth that will shape the future of the firm.

To our clients, vendors, and industry partners—thank you for being part of these first 45 years. And to those we haven’t yet had the opportunity to work with, we look forward to what’s ahead.

As we celebrate our Blue Sapphire Anniversary, we reflect on the qualities often associated with the stone—wisdom, clarity, and strength—and the role they play in shaping our work. The future of TK is bright, and we’re excited for what comes next.

Principal, Theresa English

01.12 2026

Designing Profitable Game Rooms for Entertainment Centers in 2026

By Theresa English | No Comments

January 2026

Visibility Drives Engagement in Entertainment Center Game Rooms

Designing a Game Room within an Entertainment Center is a multi-layered, highly collaborative effort—and it starts with rethinking a common misconception. While walls are necessary for certain skill wall games, fully enclosing a game room or tucking it down a hallway is one of the fastest ways to limit its performance.

Redemption and arcade games thrive on visibility. When guests see others actively playing, celebrating wins, and competing with friends, it creates instant energy. That energy sparks curiosity, draws people in, and drives participation. The game room shouldn’t be hidden—it should be a visual anchor that activates the entire entertainment center.

We witnessed this firsthand at IAAPA while playing Baytek’s new gas-pumping game, Perfect Pump. As we walked the show floor with a client evaluating new attractions, they encouraged us to try it. The goal is simple: hit a specific dollar amount—something we’ve all experienced when running in for a quick $10 fill-up. The arcade version delivers the same pressure and humor (minus the gas smell).

As we played, laughed at our near misses, and groaned when we went over, we noticed people slowing down, stopping, and watching us from across the floor. What began as casual play quickly turned competitive. Challenges emerged. Scores were compared. That’s competitive socializing in action. If a single game can create that level of buzz on a trade show floor, imagine the impact when it’s intentionally placed within your entertainment center.

Flexible Game Room Design and Planning for Power

Flexibility is critical to a successful game room. Games rotate, footprints change, and technology evolves quickly. Refreshing the game mix keeps the experience new and gives guests a reason to return.

Planning for power early in the design process is equally essential. Will power come from above or below? Can the infrastructure support future changes? These decisions, made early, can save significant cost and disruption later.

Game sizes, heights, and technical requirements vary widely, and they continue to evolve. At IAAPA, we saw several games incorporating escape-room-style puzzle solving—without requiring a dedicated, fixed escape room footprint. Designing adaptable layouts allows you to take advantage of these innovations as they emerge.

Active and Movement-Based Arcade Game Trends

One of the biggest advantages of out-of-home entertainment is activity—and this trend was unmistakable at IAAPA. Many new games emphasized motion and physical engagement well beyond traditional joystick-and-button play.

One standout required players to roll a large “boulder” around and over obstacles, engaging the entire body. Melissa tested the modest-sized version, while a larger option pushed the experience even further. Archery games also made a strong return this year, including Lasertron’s Krazy Arrows, which blends traditional archery with gamified scenarios.

We also saw AR and VR experiences that require players to physically move through space, along with modern takes on classics—Dance Dance Revolution-style games for hands and skee-ball reimagined as putting golf. The trend is clear: guests want games that get them moving, competing, and laughing together.

Game Distribution, Redemption Spaces, and Long-Term Profitability

A successful game room doesn’t stop at game selection. The redemption area—worthy of its own dedicated discussion—and collaboration with an experienced game distributor are critical to long-term profitability.

The right distributor helps fine-tune the game mix to match demographics, encourage repeat visits, and maximize revenue per square foot. They also assist with buy-versus-lease strategies and often provide early layouts that evolve as operations grow.

Activating Game Spaces in 2026 Entertainment Centers

As we move into 2026, we invite you to think strategically about how your game space is activated—not hidden away, but integrated as a core driver of energy, engagement, and revenue within your entertainment center.

Check back for more blogs, past and future, from TK Architects that discuss other aspects of Entertainment Center design!

Principal, Theresa English

07.11 2025

America First Square continues to grow, adding Megaplex entertainment center

By TKA | No Comments

July 2025

The new Larry H. Miller Megaplex at America First Square in South Jordan redefines the modern cinema experience. More than just a movie theater, this first-of-its-kind entertainment center offers eight premium screens with Dolby Atmos sound, heated luxury recliners, and in-seat dining — plus an 18-lane bowling alley, a 65-game arcade, and a full-service dining experience for guests to enjoy before or after the show.

Located in the heart of a growing entertainment district that includes a ballpark, a new amphitheater, and upcoming restaurants, the Megaplex is designed as a vibrant community hub. With convenient transit access, this venue reflects a broader vision to create spaces that offer not only entertainment but long-term economic benefits to the region. Additional Megaplex entertainment centers are already planned for St. George, signaling a continued evolution of this concept across Utah.

ARTICLE LINK:

America First Square continues to grow, adding Megaplex entertainment center | KSL.com

05.07 2025

Don’t Dismiss the Box: How to Design It Right the First Time

By Steve Petracek | No Comments

May 2025

by Principal Steve Petracek

Thinking outside the box… By Starting with One

The Basic ” box isn’t usually considered good architectural design. It’s commonly associated with warehouses, grocery stores, or home improvement centers — all built for pure function and efficiency. But maybe there’s more to it that that.

This blog is here to suggest that by rethinking how we approach the box, we can unlock new opportunities — especially when it comes to entertainment renovations and remodels. A few simple structural choices early on can go a long way toward making these spaces more adaptable down the road.

Planning for Possibility, Not Just Purpose

Instead of always letting function dictate the design, what if we allowed form to guide the function? A wide, open space — especially one without columns — gives you the most flexibility. Of course, most buildings still require columns, but they can be positioned intentionally to keep the space open, usable, and easy to adapt.

When the building’s lateral systems (the parts that resist wind or seismic movement) are handled with concrete, CMU, or steel frames placed around the perimeter, you reduce the number of interior obstacles. That means fewer headaches when the space eventually needs to change. We’ve seen plenty of projects where structural demising walls caused major issues — making renovations far more difficult and expensive than they need to be.

The Strength of the Box

Think of the box as a clean, open structure. Add columns only where necessary — just enough to carry the lid. The fewer, the better. These columns can define areas of the space (intentionally or not), so placing them with purpose is important. Once done right, that open plan becomes multifunctional. It can be repurposed, subdivided, or expanded with far less effort.

Elevating the Ordinary

A plain box might not sound attractive, but think or it like building blocks — they don’t all need to be the same size or shape. you can introduce depth and interest by stacking or staggering different volumes. When done thoughtfully , the very systems that hold the structures up —lateral frames, columns, etc. — can become architectural features instead of nuisances.

By placing those elements in key locations (along the exterior or in areas that are less likely to change), the design becomes more resilient. It’s a small move with big long-term benefits.

Design for What’s Next

The truth is, no one wants to design for change — but preparing for it is smart. The more flexibility you build in now, the easier (and more affordable) future upgrades will be.

So yes, let’s think outside the box — but maybe the smartest first step… is starting with one.

Principal Steve Petracek

09.20 2021

Lessons Learned and the Way Forward in the Wake of the Pandemic

By Mike Cummings | No Comments

September 2021 Michael Cummings, Sr. Principal

I was fortunate to participate in an International Cinema Technology Association panel discussion at CinemaCon. ICTA President Frank Tees served as the moderator and ICTA Vice President (International) Jan Runge interviewed Thomas Van de Weerd, proprietor of the (Any)thing cinema with their first private cinema located in the Netherlands. I was joined on the panel by creative, passionate, and driven exhibitors Tim League of Alamo Drafthouse, Bobbie Bagby of B&B Theatres, and (via video) Crispin Lilly of Medi-Cinema and former CEO of Everyman Cinema.

The exhibition perspective on lessons learned and the way forward was well represented, and I focused on the design perspective. Four specific design lessons learned are touchless service, prioritizing cleanliness, importance of ventilation, and the increased role of technology. Some aspects were going to occur eventually anyway, but the pandemic accelerated their implementation.

Let us now turn to the fun design stuff

Touchless Lobby and Concessions

The transition to technologically enabled touchless service was occurring before the onset of Covid, but its adaptation was greatly accelerated. The lobby and concessions envisioned below uses large graphics for visibility throughout the lobby, QR codes coupled with loyalty apps for ordering, and separated pickup conveniently around the corner. The concession preparation area is enclosed with glass providing customer visibility into the kitchen while maintaining separation, cleanliness and avoiding direct contact between concessionaires and customers.

What else have we learned from the pandemic? Without diving deeply into exhibition, the business partnership between studios and exhibitors has changed; by necessity during the “closure/lockdown” portion of the pandemic, and new rules on the relationship continue to evolve. There is no doubt that this new relationship will result in a need for fewer auditoriums. Movies will be in theatres for shorter periods and there will also likely be fewer exclusive theatrical release titles. This should incentivize exhibitors to utilize auditoriums (and/or auditorium and lobby space) for other sources of revenue. Among the diverse revenue-generating concepts are:

E Sports & Gaming

This is not an arcade but a competitive eSports and/or gaming space. It can be a competitive coliseum (like the first image) or a more socially oriented space. Either approach works well with auditorium-sized spaces, as well as for other uses and content. These fast-growing markets will surely bring new customers to your facilities.

VR/AR/MR

Virtual reality, augmented reality, and/or mixed reality are key components of entertainment. These gaming focused applications of technology are also “spectator sports’ and should be coupled with a bar and extended food service. VR/AR/MR have also shown to be an effective medium for storytelling under the direction of skilled filmmakers. There are exciting developments underway.

Private Cinema (Flexible use Auditoriums)

Private Cinema rental existed prior to the pandemic but provided a real lifeline to exhibition during it. What if you designed small auditorium spaces for a variety of uses including traditional private cinema? They are in essence a private entertainment space that can include first-run feature films, legacy films, subscription service entertainment, sports, music, esports, and other events, meeting space, karaoke, and virtual reality. The key is designing them to provide multiple uses.

Adult Lounge

Many cinemas already include bars and expanded food services. What about providing adjacent entertainment options to keep customers there longer. Options include duckpin and mini-bowling, darts, billiards, pickleball, interactive walls, ax throwing, ping pong, foosball, air hockey, yard-zee, chess, Jenga, shuffleboard, cornhole, bocce, and countless others.

Outdoor Space as Revenue Generating

Can the space outside your building also be used to generate revenue? If you changed your theatre from traditional to recliner seating, you may have more parking spaces than you need. Perhaps part of that space can be converted to revenue generation. Drive-in theatres were the most common use during the pandemic. Many people remain more comfortable gathering in outdoor spaces than indoor. These combine to create a unique opportunity to monetize the parking lot and create a new first impression of your facility for your customers.

Exhibition will be forever changed by the Pandemic. It has survived for more than a century because it is resilient and changes with the times. I believe that we have entered a new period of reinvention, and innovation. Spurred by entrepreneurial exhibitors like Thomas Van de Weerd, Tim League, Bobbie Bagby-Ford, Crispin Lilly, and others who will be leading the way into the future and the next big things for exhibition.

Michael Cummings Sr. Principal