NORMANITE IN THE SPOTLIGHT-Mark Krittenbrink

Normanite in the Spotlight- Mark Krittenbrink

By Chelsey Kraft

Born on a farm in Kingfisher, Mark Krittenbrink jokes that his true destiny was to be a wealthy banker’s son on the West Coast.

While that didn’t quite pan out, an aptitude test taken during his time at the University of Oklahoma helped Krittenbrink discover the career path he has followed for more than 40 years.

Krittenbrink was sitting in an organic chemistry lecture during the second semester of his sophomore year when he realized remaining pre-med was not the right plan. The subsequent aptitude test revealed six areas he might excel in – music, art, human relations, social work, architecture and funeral director. From there, Krittenbrink set up interviews with some deans on campus in the first five areas to see which area might be the best option for him.

“I’ve always liked to draw, and I’ve always appreciated the beauty of buildings,” Krittenbrink said. “I thought that architecture was probably my best bet for a successful career, and it’s been a good fit.”

After graduating from OU in 1978, Krittenbrink worked for a design firm, where he had also been employed during college. With their wedding approaching on Oct. 25, 1980, Krittenbrink and his wife, Debra, decided it was time for a move.

Krittenbrink’s vote was for relocation to New York City. Debra’s was for the mountains. She won the coin flip, and the couple headed to Breckenridge, Colo. There, Krittenbrink initially worked in construction as a laborer and eventually worked for Baker & Hogan Architecture.

After a few years in Colorado, during which the Krittenbrinks’ daughter, Autumn, was born, it was time for the family’s next move. Krittenbrink got to make the pick this time and eventually decided it was time to move back to Oklahoma in 1985. The couple then welcomed their son, Christopher, in 1989.

Upon Krittenbrink’s return to his home state, he worked for a couple of firms before joining with Michael McCoy to start Krittenbrink McCoy Architects. Eventually three groups came together and created Professional Retail Service Management, or PRSM, which worked with national stores like Gap, Eddie Bauer and Williams-Sonoma. In 1996, he founded his own firm, Krittenbrink Architecture.

“Doing national retail work, you never saw your finished product, you never really worked for people,” Krittenbrink said. “When I started Krittenbrink Architecture, I wanted to do architecture that makes a difference, do architecture that puts me in contact with people because I like people, and then do architecture that I could see the process and the end result. That led me to create Krittenbrink Architecture.”

Since 2018, Krittenbrink Architecture has been located at 119 W Main St. after years on Campus Corner. A significant focus for the firm is Greek living. When Autumn was in college at OU, Krittenbrink received a phone call from her sorority, Pi Beta Phi, which wanted to create a senior wing in the house. This opened a door with the Greek community on OU’s campus, and the firm was then contracted for Kappa Hall and later nine of the next 10 Greek projects.

Krittenbrink Architecture’s reach has grown to have a national presence and is probably one of the top three in the country in the Greek area, Krittenbrink said. About 60 percent of the firm’s work is in national Greek sorority and fraternity houses with current projects in a variety of states, including Washington, Oregon, California, New Hampshire, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Florida and Texas.

Krittenbrink also enjoys connecting with the local community. One significant project to Krittenbrink was the Sarkeys Foundation building. Another was the recently completed St. Thomas More Church, the parish where Krittenbrink has been a member since college.

Family-oriented time is important to Krittenbrink, whether that’s hanging out around the pool, hosting his large extended family for Christmas or going on outings to see “Frozen 2.” The Krittenbrinks live three doors down from Autumn, her husband Korey McMahon and their two kids, 5-year-old Rose and Brink, who was born last March.

Two items on his bucket list for the year are learning more Spanish and picking up watercolor painting. He also enjoys gardening and performing, especially musical theatre, although he does not get to do that as much as he used to. In the past, Krittenbrink served on the Sooner Theatre board and sang in the St. Thomas More choir.

“In my heart of hearts if I were doing Broadway, I’d probably be happy, but my life would be so much different,” Krittenbrink said.

While Krittenbrink’s path didn’t lead him to Broadway, it’s clear that he found a career that suits him well and has allowed him to still create lasting, impactful art. – BSM