We are an award winning architectural firm located in Emmaus, Pennsylvania offering a hands-on approach to achieving the building needs of business, educational, medical, municipal, industrial, institutional, housing, hospital, religious, and residential clients since 1980.

• Our design approach emphasizes dialogue with our clients, thorough analysis of our clients needs and aspirations, design development which achieves our client’s goals, and careful and complete contract documentation, which enables the contractor to deliver a project on time and on budget.
  
• We pride ourselves in the fact that 75% of our firm’s clients return for additional projects, which attests to our ability to realize these goals.
  
• Our staff is composed of seasoned, skilled professionals with a strong background of hands-on construction experience, which has tempered how we approach design.
  
• We have been recipients of the Pennsylvania Society of Architects Annual Design Award.

Karl W. Hetke, RA is a Partner & President of the firm.

• As owner and President of the firm, Karl has a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Syracuse University (1977) and also attended Drexel University.
  
• He is NCARB certified and registered in the States of Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
  
• During his 48 years of experience, Karl has worked as a project architect for Werner A. Buckl & Associates, as a studio manager for the Roth Busch Partnership, and C.F. Portner Architects, as a project architect for Shelter Design Group and Natural Energy Homes, and as a job captain for Day & Zimmerman Associates.
  
• He spent 7 years developing passive solar designs and underground architecture and has firsthand construction experience as a historic restoration carpenter.

Christifer F. Portner, RA is a Founder and Partner.

• Chris founded the firm in 1980 as C.F. Portner Architects. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Virginia (1971) and holds NCARB certification with registrations in New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
  
• Before establishing his firm, Chris was a partner at Brown, Zajacek, & Roth, and his extensive 54-year career includes roles as a project architect, land planner, and architectural designer at firms such as Miller & Reilley Architects, Direction Associates, Vincent Kling & Partners, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
  
• Chris is a talented architectural designer, and an expert on site planning, building codes, zoning ordinances, and land development.

Tully P. Wehr Architectural Designer & Job Captain.

• Tully joined Portner & Hetke in August 2012. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Savannah College of Art & Design (1997) and a Master of Science in Architecture from Penn State (2000), where he also taught Architectural Design.
  
• Prior to joining P&H, Tully specialized in custom residential projects for 9 years at Gahagan Architects. His responsibilities include design, construction documents, and contract administration for both residential and commercial projects.
  

Todd K. Bensing Architectural Designer & Job Captain.

• Todd has (2) Associates Degrees from Northampton Community College. One in Architectural Technology (1994) and another in Business Administration (1973).
  
• Todd has 19 years of experience in computer aided design and drafting.
  
• He had previously worked as a draftsman for Design Build Collaborative Inc., and was self-employed as a free-lance CADD drafting service.
  
• Prior to his architectural career Todd had 14 years of experience in residential construction, and architectural woodwork and cabinetry, working for Sunsource, Braybell Kitchens Inc., Lehigh Valley Woodcrafters, and Designers & Engineers.
  
• His broad construction experience has served him well in architectural design and construction detailing.