RCGA Architects-Interior Designers: on an upward path.

It began with a boyhood passion for the skies, As Robert St. C. Gaskin, the Jamaican-born principal of RCGA Architects-Interior Designers, grew up near Edinburgh Airport in Scotland, he became fascinated with aviation, With a pilot's license earned at age 21 and an architecture degree from Pratt Institute gained a few years later, he was hired by Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM) and immediately assigned projects at such major airports as Dulles and Spartanburg, NC, Gaskin understood that "what people see on the outside represents only a fifth of an airport's function," and he was determined to apply his knowledge to the other four-fifths of the operations.

Work at SOM was followed by several years at a smaller company until Gaskin founded his own firm in 1997: RCGA, a certified MBE, No sooner had he managed to carve a niche in one of the most competitive corners of the market, aviation systems design (terminals and hangars in particular), than he was finding work for retail chains, affordable housing and houses of worship. "Everything just followed, and flowed, naturally," says Gaskin. He points out that a stunning 100% of the projects at RCGA have come from referrals and recommendations. "We're 12 years old and have only started to look into marketing a year ago," he says.

RCGA Architects, with headquarters in Jamaica, Queens, has performed projects for the AirTrain at the American Airlines and British Airways Terminals at John F. Kennedy International Airport and at the Delta Airlines Terminal at LaGuardia Airport. He notes that three-quarters of the RCGA Architects team of 23 have airport expertise which includes thorough knowledge of the requirements and procedures set forth by the Port Authority of NY & NJ.

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"It is essential to know the Port Authority's standards, procedures, and protocol. We fully understand the expectations. Also, on airport projects there's always a 'critical path'--opening dates that must be met and budgets that cannot be exceeded. We have always adhered strictly to these milestones. That's what has allowed us to gain a reputation in this area and to attract other clients seeking this degree of quality and reliability," he says.

In fact, the firm's success in aviation has allowed it to take off (pun intended) in other areas as well: RCGA Architects now has several clients among the many retail chains that operate in airports including EJE Retail Inc, (particularly in Raleigh Durham); Paradies Retail, a franchiser that operates Brooks Brothers, the New York Times stores (among others); and Dunkin' Donuts.

The Downtown Jamaica Improvement Project recently hired RCGA Architects as part of the team for Phase 1 of its work, streetscaping and the installation of several new retail stores at the LIRR Jamaica Station.

RCGA has gained the attention of the religious community as well. The firm has recently completed the design for the rehabilitation of the 1925 Vanderbilt Theater in Jamaica for the All Nations Evangelism Church, which includes the rehabilitation of the existing 2,500 seat theater, with new pulpit and choir loft, interior stained glass windows and the introduction of state of the art audio visual and light equipment. RCGA also completed the restoration of the 1876 Huguenot Memorial Church in Pelham Manor, New York.

The firm has been working as prime design architect for developer OMNI New York LLC, a company founded and run by former baseball great 'Mo' Vaughn. RCGA has completed the rehabilitation of over 6,400 apartment units for low and middle income residents in New York City and throughout New York State through OMNI including Baisley Apartments in Queens; Thesalonica in the Bronx; The Noble Drew Plaza in Brooklyn; Whitney Young in Yonkers; Admiral Halsey in Poughkeepsie; and The Courtyard Garden in Hempstead.

Part of RCGA's success with residential work comes from its great sensitivity to the community.

"We always meet with the tenants and explain what we will do, how it will benefit them, and how the renovations will be phased in to minimize any disruption," he says.

Understanding the interaction of people and their dynamics is something that Gaskin extends to his staff of 20 employees and two partners. "We have always remained a close-knit family. It's a feeling we've cultivated over the years." The staff's devotion has helped RCGA maintain its commitment to completing projects on time and within budget, and is now responsible for its ability to survive the recession and do surprisingly well despite the economy. "We've hired one new project manager and two architects over the past year," he says.

The skies remain sunny and filled with promise for RCGA.