Early professional career On completion of his military service, Koch worked as an architectural apprentice for a brief time in the
northeastern United States before returning to New Orleans. He then joined the architectural firm of Charles Armstrong, eventually becoming a partner in the firm. Through Koch's influence, the firm of Armstrong & Koch focused on restorations and designs of traditional Louisiana buildings and structure. The firm was dissolved in 1934. Koch traveled in Spain in the early 1920s, an experience that enhanced is interest and skills in architectural photography. His photographic subjects in Spain included the
Generalife in Granada and the
Alcázar of Seville. During this time, Koch also made architectural drawings of historically significant structures in Spain. Koch's efforts on photographic documentation of historic buildings continued until 1965, long after his term with HABS had ended. Koch's photographic style was to depict the buildings as they appeared, regardless if they were in disrepair. He often avoided harsh sunlight on the subjects, and often included people or automobiles in the photographs in order to provide size perspective. Koch conducted architectural restoration projects in
Natchez, Mississippi, the
New Orleans French Quarter, the
New Orleans Garden District,
St. Francisville, Louisiana, and elsewhere in Louisiana. Koch's restoration projects in New Orleans as a member of the firm included
The Cabildo, the
Merieult House, and
Gallier Hall. Koch redesigned
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre in a style consistent with historic character of the neighborhood. With landscape architect
William Weidorn and sculptor
Enrique Álvarez, Koch designed the
New Orleans Botanical Garden. In 1941 Koch also collaborated with Weidorn on a restoration of the
St. Anthony's Garden in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Koch and Wilson restored the New Orleans home of philanthropist
Matilda Geddings Gray in 1969, a home that Koch had himself once previously restored in 1937. The home is sometimes known as the Gauche-Stream House.
Vieux Carré Commission The
New Orleans French Quarter is sometimes known by the term Vieux Carré, from the French language. By the early 20th century, much of the historic heritage of the area was being lost as buildings in the French Quarter were being demolished to make room for more modern structures. In 1920, interested civic leaders and other citizens organized for the sake of preservation of the neighborhood. Initially known as the Vieux Carré Restoration Society, Koch became president of the organization in 1930. Early in Koch's tenure as president of the
Vieux Carré Commission, he recognized that the organization had little authority. Koch convinced local officials that the commission needed authority to issue permits for structural changes in the historically significant French Quarter and to levy fines on violators. Because of legal considerations, an amendment to the Louisiana state constitution was required to institute these changes, which ultimately took place in 1936.
Other service Koch served on the
board of directors of the
American Institute of Architects. He was a member of the
National Architectural Accrediting Board and served as the organization's president in 1954. Koch was on the board of directors for New Orleans City Park and also the
Isaac Delgado Museum of Art. ==Death==