Why does GNCB exist? In a nutshell it is because the firm continues to meet their client’s needs by understanding that people’s hearts are in their buildings - where they live, work, learn, and come together. GNCB realizes that their clients need a skilled and passionate ally to make their buildings safe and sustainable. This mindset has been a part of the company from its earliest days. 

In 1961 Milo Ketchum Jr. and Rudolph Besier opened up a branch of the Denver firm of Ketchum & Konkel. Seeking to grow the company and work with some outstanding creative East Coast architects, the new office was located midway between New York City and Boston, in the town of Old Saybrook, CT. Come 1965 Milo would move on to teaching and Rudolph would buy the firm from him. Within 10 years, the company grew in size to consist of several engineers, a draftsman and support staff. Among the employees was Kenneth Gibble, and Raymond Winchester. Soon after James Norden and Laura Champion would join the staff. All of them would end up playing significant roles in the company.

By the mid 1980’s, the firm had worked with many architects including Max Urbahn, Paul Rudolph, John Johansen, Ashok Bhavnani, Kevin Rocke, Alex Kouzmanoff, and Moore Grover Harper that would later become Centerbrook Architects. Many award-winning projects came out of their collaborative efforts with these architects. It was fair to say that company was well established and ready for the future.