studio d'ARC architects

After many years of academic training and professional experience both in the US and abroad, Gerard Damiani established studio d'ARC architects {SDA} in 1996 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as an architect’s collaborative to pursue the union of architectural ideas with the craft of building. The mission of the practice continues to be one of creating quality architectural projects which understand and celebrate both our post-industrial and agrarian context; one of history, unique building typologies, topography, as well as the present and future cultural context, the urgent need for sustainable thinking and our own building trades and traditions. By analyzing these conditions, both physical and cultural, their work strives to be thoughtful, well considered and intrinsically linked to its place by creating architectural solutions that go beyond mere stylistic form making or pragmatic problem solving. The firm has a body of work which responds to the unique qualities of region, site, program, budget, construction and environment. Their sensitivity to the found conditions of place, design process, use of humble materials, and cost effective solutions set them apart from other offices. Many of SDA’s projects utilize the found conditions of place as the starting point of the new formation. Even for projects of limited budgets and challenging constraints, efforts are made to select materials that are sensitive to the region and immediate site, environmentally thoughtful, low in maintenance and, at the same time, create aesthetically pleasing spaces that are energy efficient. Whenever economically and technically possible, the use of recycled products and / or repurposed building materials are used to best work with their client’s budget and life cycle costs. This approach allows each project to become a critical assessment of the found condi-tion of its specific place, regional materials, its building tradition and the people who craft them, leading their work to be part of its place and not simply an imported style. Since every program, site and craft tradition is different, they always start from the region and provide solutions which harmonize with the specific nature of its place. Gerard Damiani, AIA Principal studio dARC Architecture, Interior Architecture, Contemporary Homes, Kitchens and Baths, Modern Architecture, Thoughtful remodeling, Restoration, Sustainable Materials