--- title: "Abitare Design Studio, LLC — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/abitare-design-studio-llc-pfvwus-pf~2047219190 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~2047219190.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Abitare Design Studio, LLC" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/76c338b70238aeff_0477-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "39 North 3RD Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106, United States" latitude: 39.9474 longitude: -75.1473 phone: "(267) 234-7207" website: http://www.abitareds.com rating: 5 review_count: 3 best_of_houzz_awards: 1 followers: 253 last_updated: 2026-09-18 --- # Abitare Design Studio, LLC Original Houzz profile: [Abitare Design Studio, LLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/abitare-design-studio-llc-pfvwus-pf~2047219190) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Philadelphia, PA - **Serves:** Philadelphia, Bucks County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Southern New Jersey - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (3 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2020), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - 1,000 Ideabook Saves - High-end - Offers Custom Work - 12 years in business Stephen J. Maffei, founder and owner of Abitare Design Studio, currently serves as Company President and Principal Designer. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Drexel University. Stephen’s qualifications include over 20 years’ experience in residential design, custom interiors, urban planning, development, design-build, and a strong background in commercial and retail design. His experience also includes pre-planning stages, identifying zoning requirements, conducting feasibility studies, and overall master project planning. Stephen has an extensive background in the management of construction documents, permitting, cost analysis, and contract negotiations for a variety of both private and public projects including expertise in construction administration. As lead designer of the firm, Stephen’s growth of the firm’s residential work and client base has contributed significantly to the expansion and organization of the company. Stephen commands a strong business sense, is well versed in the latest ideas and industry trends, and collaborates closely with clients to ensure successful delivery of projects. Stephen drove the use of cloud technologies to enhance the customer experience and foster close communications on all projects from conception to completion. Prior to founding Abitare Design Studio in 2008, Stephen held the position of President and Managing Partner at LandMark Professional Design for over 10 years; he has also worked as senior level designer and project manager during his early career. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Extensions - Kitchen Remodeling - 3D Rendering - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Bathroom Design - Space Planning - Historic Building Conservation - Project Management - Color Consulting - Construction Mangement - Custom Home Planning & Design - Design Build - Historical Renovation - Interior Design - Student Housing ### Areas Served - Philadelphia - Bucks County - Delaware County - Montgomery County - Southern New Jersey ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Abitare Design Studio, LLC | | Address | 39 North 3RD Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106, United States | | Phone | (267) 234-7207 | | Website | http://www.abitareds.com | | Followers on Houzz | 253 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/pages/Abitare-Design-Studio/268005219884554?ref=hl - Blog — https://instagram.com/abitare\_design\_studio/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Abitare Design Studio, LLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/abitare-design-studio-llc-pfvwus-pf~2047219190) - **Website:** http://www.abitareds.com - **Phone:** (267) 234-7207 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - American Institute of Architects - International Code Council - Building Industry of Philadelphia - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2020), for Design. **Affiliations** - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) - [NCARB](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/ncarb-pfvwus-pf~1477640315) - [LEED AP](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/leed-ap-pfvwus-pf~1386238498) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 3 reviews** ### All 3 reviews **★★★★★ — User, Feb. 2016** > Abitare Design provided architectural, design, and project management services to renovate our master bathroom as well as moving an exterior doorway to an existing roof deck. Steve Maffei did a tremendous job planning every phase of the job, and worked with us to bring our vision to life. Steve is very detail oriented and it showed in the quality of the fixtures and finishes. He also worked closely with the contractor to make sure each step of the construction was done to required standards. The project was not without some hiccups, and that will happen with any project, but everyone at Abitare Design strived to keep things moving along and kept us informed of progress every step of the way. Everyone involved was very professional and helpful throughout the project. **★★★★★ — jroberts2849, July 2015** > It was a pleasure working with Steve and his staff when the renovated our entire condominium in Old City Philadelphia. Abitare designed a new, open kitchen taking advantages of the dramatic windows. The color scheme they chose was striking and regularly gets great comments. They combined tow rooms, redesigned two bathrooms and added additional storage. The contractor they brought in was great and we always. Their paint, flooring and designing worked out really well. **★★★★★ — Modulus Contracting & Design, Oct. 2013** > I have worked closely with Abitare on several projects both personally and professionally. Stephen is a visionary when designing spaces and buildings. He is exceptionally talented for articulating materials blending of textures and colors, the natural with the artificial, fabrication and project management. I highly recommend him to my clients for any of my projects which I think would benefit from their team. ## Selected projects - [Callowhill Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/callowhill-residence-pj-vj~6586968) - Location: Philadelphia, PA - Photos: 19 - Description: ‘Callowhill Residence’ is a custom built 4-story single-family residence located in the Old City area of Philadelphia. The home was designed and will also be built by Abitare and their team -Abitare Build, LLC. The modern residence was designed to embrace bridge, river, and city views. The building is comprised with an open concept floor layout with a 2-story main living space with expansive glazing and access to roof terrace which is one of the multiple outside spaces the design achieved. The h… - [Fishtown Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fishtown-residence-pj-vj~6646887) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 22 - [Torresdale Manor Residences](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/torresdale-manor-residences-pj-vj~6587339) - Location: Philadelphia, PA - Photos: 6 - [Race Street Residential Condominiums](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/race-street-residential-condominiums-pj-vj~6587291) - Location: Philadelphia, PA - Photos: 8 - [Brigantine Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/brigantine-residence-pj-vj~6524108) - Location: Brigantine, NJ - Photos: 29 - Description: A custom 3-story, single-family residence nestled on the beach block of Ocean Avenue in Brigantine, NJ. The project was developed to embrace expansive views of the ocean and surrounding neighborhood fabric. The beach home stands out among the rest with its unique modern design and maintenance free façade which translates well with the scale of a larger residence. The spacious interiors consist of a 2-car garage, (4) bedrooms, (5) baths, and (2) half baths with ample living, kitchen, and dining s… - [The Views at Penn Treaty](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-views-at-penn-treaty-pj-vj~6587330) - Location: Philadelphia, PA - Photos: 12 - [Bainbridge Street Modern Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bainbridge-street-modern-residence-pj-vj~328066) - Location: Philadelphia, PA - Photos: 37 - [Janus Estates 2](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/janus-estates-2-pj-vj~6587358) - Location: Philadelphia, PA - Photos: 22 - [Janus Estates](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/janus-estates-pj-vj~4870124) - Location: Philadelphia, PA - Photos: 16 - Description: The Janus Estates project presented an exceptional opportunity to bring the past and the future together with one home rooted in history and the other entirely new construction. The following describes our work on the new construction home which included extensive coordination for the interiors. The original 3-story historic home has its own description pertaining to its unique scope. Our approach to the new construction home was to blend urban style with modern functionality while creating inti… - [Liberty Estates Townhomes](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/liberty-estates-townhomes-pj-vj~2513432) - Location: Philadelphia, PA - Photos: 27 - Description: Abitare developed the plans for and selected all interior fit and finish materials for a Luxury 9 Townhome project. We worked hand in hand with the developers to ensure maximum return on investment while maintaining a truly high end aesthetic with functional living space. The photos shown are of the Model Unit that was staged for marketing. - [Christian Street Contemporary Town Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/christian-street-contemporary-town-home-pj-vj~325066) - Location: Philadelphia, PA - Photos: 15 - [Colorful Contemporary Town Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/colorful-contemporary-town-home-pj-vj~327978) - Location: Philadelphia, PA - Photos: 21 - [Vibrant, Contemporary Juniper Street Project](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/vibrant-contemporary-juniper-street-project-pj-vj~356110) - Location: Philadelphia, PA - Photos: 8 - [Transitional Kitchen Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/transitional-kitchen-remodel-pj-vj~363054) - Location: Philadelphia, PA - Photos: 7 - [Contemporary Reserve Drive Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-reserve-drive-remodel-pj-vj~972828) - Location: Philadelphia, PA - Photos: 10 - [Contemporary Vine Street Condo Project](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-vine-street-condo-project-pj-vj~1236584) - Location: Philadelphia, PA - Photos: 4 - [Latona Street Residences](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/latona-street-residences-pj-vj~6587335) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 [See all 17 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/abitare-design-studio-llc-pfvwus-pf~2047219190) ## Ideabooks - [Randazzo Inspiration](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/114032051/list/randazzo-inspiration) — 12 ideas - [Stuff we like!](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/18293955/list/stuff-we-like) — 13 ideas - [Bathroom Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52258872/list/bathroom-ideas) — 3 ideas - [Aaron and Julia](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/44342616/list/aaron-and-julia) — 4 ideas - [Chou](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/21225437/list/chou) — 5 ideas - [Wall Paper](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/18297431/list/wall-paper) — 7 ideas [See all 6 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/abitareds) ## Community Q&A **Q: Before & After: Kitchen Remodel in Havertown, PA** *(in Before & After)* Here are before and after pics of a kitchen remodel we recently finished up: AFTER: BEFORE: A: Looks Amazing! **Q: Flooring** *(in Photo Questions)* What type of flooring was used in this kitchen? And where can I purchase it? A: The flooring is from Stone Source, it's their Q-Stone Grey tile. The tile used in this kitchen is 12" x 24". I'm not sure where you are located but if you go to their website you should be able to find a local dealer in your area. **Q: Stair Fabricator** *(in Photo Questions)* Who fabricated the railing and stairs for this home? We are local to Philadelphia and looking for a new stair railing similar to this one. Thanks! A: Our firm designed the concept for the stairs and railings. The project builder contracted a steel fabricator to create and install. Unfortunately we do not have the information of the fabricator. **Q: Love the backsplash... what is it?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Thank you! The backsplash was crafted from stainless steel panels **Q: What is the company who manufactures the glass PC desk please and than** *(in Photo Questions)* The chrome stand with glass top the iMac is placed on. A: Thank you for your interest! The desk was purchased from Luxe Home in Philadelphia, PA. Unfortunately that is the extent of the information we have on that product. There is a very similar one currently available from Pottery Barn. **Q: Need help for my bedroom** *(in Photo Questions)* Where can I find that lounge chair? A: Hey I contacted the seller and they do still have it!!! She just got back to me, and you can pick your own fabric! http://uniqueinteriors.com/index.php/le-meurice.html --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-18.*