More About RCWA
Our underlying commitment is to enhance the surroundings that deeply influence our lives. We are committed to respecting the sense of place and element; the views, the sunlight, every tree, every rock, while making buildings as energy-efficient as possible.
We work closely with our clients, beginning with their ideas, taking into consideration the natural setting, the budget and the objectives of the project. Planning, right thru to the construction phase, is done in close collaboration with the client. Fine architecture is in the attention to details.
The company founder, Robert Carl Williams moved to Vermont in the 1960’s to follow his vision of creating a body of architecture that is designed around its environment. Robert initiated five Vermont communities known as Hawk. In 1980 Daniel Pratt joined RCWA and in 1995 became a partner in the firm and is now the president and CEO. The sustaining original philosophy is applied to all of the firm’s diverse projects whether in Vermont, Arizona, the Caribbean, or Bermuda, whether unique private homes, resorts, commercial, or historic preservation.
Our People
Daniel J. Pratt, AIA – President and Principal
Education and Professional
- Member of the American Institute of Architects since 1986
- Registered architect since 1985 (Vermont)
- State University of New York, College at Buffalo, B.S. 1970
Civic
- Rutland Region Transportation Council, inception to 2003
- West Rutland Planning Commission, 1976 to 1990, Chairman 1985-1990
- Rutland Regional Planning Commission, Mid 70’s to mid 80’s
- Rotary Member late 1970’s to present; Past President Rutland Rotary South, 1995-96
Works of Daniel J. Pratt
Daniel has been with the firm of Robert Carl Williams Associates since October 1980, starting as Chief of Design and was responsible for design, production and supervision of many homes and commercial projects as well as the master plan of Salt Ash Hawk Mountain Sectors 2 and 3 from 1980. In 1985 he became a registered architect in Vermont and became president of the firm in 1995. Daniel has led the firm’s expansion into major ski resort work, commercial complexes and great homes of both New England and Adirondack character.
Spending summers in a cabin built by his grandfather on Lake George NY has greatly influenced Daniel’s penchant for the Adirondack style that is represented in many of the mountain and lake homes he has penned over the years. He has also expanded his architectural talents to include the designing of affordable housing, restoration of factory buildings, Habitat for Humanity homes and starter New England home designs for families of four to nine members.
Daniel has extensive knowledge in architecture from his various work experiences that date back to 1969 where he served as a designer for the offices in the legislative building at Rockefeller Plaza in Albany, New York. He worked as a designer, project supervisor and consultant from 1970-1975 that involved public and private schools, banks, offices, multi-family homes, hospitals and major renovations. Daniel taught architectural drafting and design at the Rutland Area Vocational Technical School from 1975-1979 and co-authored the curriculum for Architectural and Engineering Drawing for use in public schools for the Vermont State Department of Education.
In January of 1979 Daniel joined Nuova Agudio of North America, a tramway manufacturer, and became a wire rope designer under the direction and training of Ugo Carlevaro the inventor of the detachable ski lift. He assisted in the manufacture and installation of the Cannon Mountain Tramway.
Design is Daniel’s passion whether it is a heated pet house with a screen porch or a multi- million dollar estate or a commercial project. Of the many commercial projects designed by Daniel, creating the unique Killington Gondola Base Station and its bridge across U.S. Route 4 and VT Route 100 in Killington, VT is among his most interesting resort renovation and upgrade.
Stephen E. Fenn, AIA – Architect
Education and Professional
- Member of the American Institute of Architects since 2006
- Registered Architect, State of Vermont since 1998
- University of Virginia – School of Architecture, B.S. Architecture 1982
- Currently pursuing LEED AP Certification
Civic
- Rochester High School Senior Project Mentor, Rochester VT 2008, 2009
- Rutland Middle School Math Mentor, Rutland VT 2004
- Cub Scout Leader, Troop 104, Rutland VT 1996-2000
Work Experience
Steve joined the firm in 1992 and is now a Senior Architect. He became a registered architect in 1998. He has been instrumental in designing a wide variety of residential and commercial buildings in the region including the north entry addition to the Grace Congregational Church; barrier-free access addition to the United Methodist Church; many private residences; additions and renovations for Rutland High School and Advanced Animations; and numerous projects for the Killington Ski Resort including the Skyeship Base Station.
Steve’s work has taken him to several locations outside of Vermont, including the design of the architectural interiors of a waterfront residence in Bermuda; the expansion and upgrade of an 1829 Stone Farmhouse in Pennsylvania; and currently an extensive renovation of a lakeside home in New Hampshire
Prior to joining the firm, Steve managed the design division for Hawk Mountain Development Corporation in Plymouth Vermont from 1983 to 1991. His responsibilities included contractor supervision, estimating, schematic design, construction documents and administration, client relations and sales.
Steve is currently pursuing LEED AP Certification.
Craig Wilson, AIA – Architect
Education and Professional
- American Institute of Architects, member since 2002
- Registered Architect, State of Vermont since 1985; State of Wisconsin since 1983
- Craig earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Studies in 1977 from the school of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Wisconsin
Civic
- Thresholds Decision-Making Facilitator at the Rutland Correctional Facility
- Habitat for Humanity in Rutland, VT
- Bible Study Leader, Green Mountain Church of Christ
Work Experience
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Craig’s worked on numerous commercial, retail and hospitality projects that included the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Wauwatosa, WI, Children’s Museum of Science and Technology in Milwaukee, WI and Wisconsin Electric Company Corporate Headquarters in Milwaukee. Craig moved to Vermont in 1985, and joined RCWA. There he worked to complete many custom residential and commercial projects that included the Snowshed Base Lodge Expansion at the Killington Ski Area, Ski Shack Retail Center in Killington, VT, the Rutland Country Club and school addition projects in Vermont. More recently, Craig’s expertise contributed to the Killington Peak Lodge constructed at the top of Killington Mountain and The First Baptist Church currently under construction in South Londonderry, Vermont.
Working for BreadLoaf, a Vermont Design-Build firm between 2002 and 2005 before re-joining RCWA, Craig contributed to many successful projects that include the Town Library Building in Pelham, NH, Middlebury Police Station in Middlebury, VT and the Academic Building Renovations at Landmark College in Putney, VT.
Elijah Kehn – Designer
Education
- Wentworth Institute of Technology, Bachelor of Science in Architecture 2010
Work Experience
Elijah joined the firm of Robert Carl Williams Associates, P.C. in 2011, shortly after receiving his Bachelors Degree in Architecture from Wentworth Institute of Technology. He has since worked as a Draftsmen, Designer and 3D Computer Modeler on a wide variety of residential and commercial buildings including re-construction of the Killington Peak Lodge, and the South Londonderry Baptist Church.
Prior to joining the firm and while he pursued his Bachelors Degree in Architecture, Elijah had Architectural Internships and Construction/Carpentry jobs in both Vermont and Massachusetts.
Currently Elijah is working to obtain his architectural registration.
Courtney Severy – Project Manager & Office Assistant
Education
- University of Maine, Orono, B.S. Construction Management Technology, 2009
Work Experience
Courtney joined the firm of Robert Carl Williams Associates, P.C. in 2015, as a Project Manager and has also recently taken over as Office Assistant. She has been instrumental in keeping projects organized and paperwork up to date. She has also been learning CAD and assisting the firm's Architects with drawings. Prior to joining the firm, Courtney worked as a Project Manager in the Washington D.C. area for five years after finishing college.
Robert Carl Williams – Founder, Partner Emeritus
Education and Historical
- Harvard Graduate School of Design, B.A in Architecture
- University of Tennessee, B.S. in Civil Engineering
- Retired Captain of the US Air Force, fighter pilot
- Member NCARB – National Council of Architectural Registrations Boards
- Registered architect since 1962 in Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts
- Member of Who’s Who in the National Register of Executives and Professionals
Works of Robert Carl Williams
President and founder of the Hawk Mountain Corporationthe first green approach to sustained development in Vermont, setting aside large portions of the colonies as common land, not to be built upon but preserved.
Robert Williams who is a civil engineer of the University of Tennessee and an architect of the Harvard’s Graduate School of Design founded the Hawk Mountain Corporation and his architectural firm based on the philosophy of preserving the natural environment. The current, so called, “Green Technology” followed later as a popular and necessary means to preserving our planet.
Robert served for eighteen years as president of Hawk, creating five complete colonies in central Vermont, inclusive of land acquisition, environmental approvals, property management, the Hawk construction company, master planning, and architectural design of all homes including construction of all homes, encompassing approximately 500 units within the colonies over 45 years.
The colonies by name are: HawkMountain in Pittsfield, Timber Hawk in Stockbridge, Great Hawk in Rochester, Sunrise in Killington, and Salt Ash in Plymouth.
Hawk employed 125 persons in 1980. Included in the design of the colonies were restaurants, commercial facilities, sports centers, theaters, a summer camp for children, hotels and networks of common land in all the colonies with nature trails winding through the home sites and colonies.
Robert sold his interest in the Hawk Mountain Corporation in 1980 and started Robert Carl Williams Associates, P.C. in central Vermont. He retained all rights to architectural and land planning design for the colonies in addition to providing architectural services primarily in Vermont and the neighboring states.
More recent work includes the Ski Shack commercial addition in Killington Vermont; the expansion and renovation of several Killington Ski Resort base lodge facilities; an addition and renovation of the Inner Traditions Publishing Company in Rochester Vermont and the Wilcox Pharmacy in Rutland Vermont; along with numerous renovations and approximately 20 original home designs a year.
