We built TKC because of our love for working and collaborating with others. We enjoy the opportunity to meet new people and develop relationships. Our goal is to encapsulate the spirit of our clients and the site to provide a thought evoking design. We strive to create designs that meet the client’s needs while also exceeding their expectations. *TKC is a woman-owned business registered with the State of Tennessee.

How We Work

To kick off the project we will meet with you to hear your vision and discuss programmatic requirements, design inspirations and project timeline. We will then dive into the project and research the site/project/zoning/code and provide a series of schematic drawings that may range from hand sketches to rendered plans to 3-dimensional views. These drawings will be used to communicate our initial design concepts with you and provide site research data. From there we will present you with a full design package of what will eventually become the final built product. We will work with you throughout the construction process to help ensure your vision is continually carried out until your project is completed.

Our Team

  • Owner | Principal Civil Engineer

    Cole is a founding principal and civil engineer at TKC. Cole’s experience ranges from commercial and residential site design to municipal water, wastewater, and airport/transportation design projects. Along with his design background Cole also has experience managing large projects as an owner’s representative. With Cole’s background in both private and public projects he provides a unique perspective to bridge the gap between developers and municipalities.

    Cole received his bachelor’s degree from Auburn University. He is a veteran of the United States Army. He is registered in Tennessee and Alabama and is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the American Legion.

  • Owner | Principal Architect

    Kristen is a founding principal and architect at TKC. Kristen’s experience ranges from custom residential homes to boutique restaurants to hotels and high-end commercial projects. Along with her architectural resume, Kristen is experienced in interior design and has developed concepts for various project types. With Kristen’s combined architectural and interior design experience she blends her knowledge in architectural detailing with spatial requirements and finish options to create spaces that are thoughtful and functional.

    Kristen received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Registered in Tennessee and Alabama, Kristen is a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Construction Appeals Board for the City of Columbia, a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Nashville Chapter, and AEC Power Women.

    Kristen’s most proud accomplishments are her four children. They can be often found accompanying her to job sites or working on their own designs at the office. She also dabbles in gardening, fresh flower arrangements, hunting, and fishing.

  • Project Designer

    A true Nashvillian, Gunner was born and raised in Brentwood, TN. He graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a Bachelor of Architecture and Design and is working towards becoming a licensed architect. In his free time he enjoys watching sports and movies, working on motorcycles, and hanging out with friends and family

  • Bookkeeper

    Rachel joined TKC in 2020. Originally from Dothan, AL, Rachel married a Columbia Native, and she and her family relocated back to Columbia, TN in 2005. She graduated from Kaplan University with a Bachelor's in Accounting. She loves dancing, reading, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

  • Senior Interior Designer

    Emilee grew up in Cumming, GA and graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor's degree in interior design with an emphasis in photography. She has a passion for symmetry and harmony, something that follows her from her work into her daily life.

    In her free time, she enjoys reading, art & photography, hiking, yoga, and spending time with her family and friends.

  • Civil Engineer

    Andrew joined TKC in 2025. He lives in Lawrence County, TN with his wife and two sons. He attended the University of Tennessee Southern before graduating from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.

    In his free time, Andrew enjoys hunting, fishing, watching TN sports, and spending time with his family and friends.

  • Civil Engineer

    Tony joined TKC in 2023. He is experienced in small and large scale commercial and residential land development projects from conceptual design to final site planning

    Tony received a Bachelor’s degree from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila), Philippines. He is registered in Tennessee, TNEPSC Level 2 Certified, and a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers.

  • Senior Project Architect

    Kate is a licensed architect and LEED Accredited Professional (AP) with over 15 years of experience in the architecture industry. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a Bachelor of Architecture, Kate also broadened her architectural knowledge by studying in Krakow, Poland and traveling throughout Europe. Since becoming a licensed architect in 2010, Kate has worked on a wide range of projects including residential new builds, renovations and additions, mixed-use developments, historic preservation projects, college campus work, churches, golf clubhouses, and master planning. Kate started working with TKC in 2021 as a contract architect. In addition to her architectural work, she served as an adjunct professor at Nashville State Community College, teaching Interior Design and Drawing. Living in Franklin, Tennessee, she enjoyed contributing to her community by serving a five-year term as a Commissioner on the Franklin Historic Zoning Commission. Kate enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and two children.

  • Senior Project Designer

    Mindy is an Architectural Designer and LEED Accredited Professional with nearly 20 years of experience. She graduated from the University of Kentucky; College of Design, with a professional degree in Architecture and a focus in Art History. Hey love of historical art and architecture drew her to the city of Columbia and to TKC in particular. There is an importance of honoring a city’s past but revitalizing it into a hub for future generations. In addition to historical projects, she also has designed multiple boutique restaurants, shops, clinics, and offices in the wide middle Tennessee area. 
    Outside of work, she spends her time creating fun things, occasionally helping her kids design toys on “their” 3d printer, and wrangling said kids in their many extra curricular pursuits. Her dogs and Husband, fortunately, require far less wrangling these days.

TKC is the result of an ever-evolving discussion between co-founders Cole Newton and Kristen Newton about how to re-imagine the development process, to combine forces to provide a comprehensive firm for the built world, and while doing so, have a lot of fun working together.

Though TKC was officially established in 2020, we have been a team since the beginning in 2009 and that is how the acronym TKC came to life, standing for Team Kristen and Cole. It was an inside joke, but then it stuck, and we could not think of another name for our firm that would better embody who we are, a team, a team that will work for you from start to finish to provide an enjoyable design process and successful project.