architecture+ Celebrates 25 Years
August 5, 2009
architecture+, a design and service oriented architecture and planning firm in Troy, New York, is celebrating twenty-five years of service to the Capital District. The firm was founded in Troy in 1984 by Francis (Frank) Murdock Pitts, Principal, who was joined in 1985 by Joseph Lomonaco, Principal. J. Michael Bergen, Principal, has been with the firm since 1984. Vincent Lepera, Associate Principal, joined the firm in 2002 after a long career as a partner in Lepera & Ward.
architecture+ currently has a staff of thirty-two, including ten licensed architects. Current staff members have been with the firm for an average of almost ten years and over half have been there more than five years.
"Since the founding of our firm, we have tried to create a nurturing and cooperative work environment that respects integrity and openness. We are proud of the collegial environment our people create as well as the clients we serve," said Pitts.
The success of architecture+ in creating an inspiring work environment is not only evident in the tenure of their staff but in their ranking by The Business Review as a Best Place to Work for the past two years among companies with 25 to 50 employees. architecture+ is also ranked by The Business Review as the third largest architecture firm in the Capital District for the past two years.
In September, architecture+ will be honored by The Rensselaer County Regional Chamber with the 2009 Van Rensselaer Small Business Award in recognition of the Firm's outstanding contributions to the quality of life within our communities. architecture+ has made significant contributions to local community organizations through service and other support including The Troy Public Library, The Ark Community Charter Schools, Unity House, The Arts Center for the Capital District, and Capital District Community Gardens.
Although architecture+ serves clients in a variety of sectors, much of their growth has been the result of local work with higher education and national work with healthcare facilities for the mentally ill. architecture+ has completed over 250 projects in 27 states and provinces in Canada.
The firm has played a significant role at local college campuses. They have been working with Hudson Valley Community College for the past twenty years, most recently the design of the new Administration Building. architecture+ has also been responsible for the restoration and renovation of numerous buildings at the Sage College Campus. The restoration of Bush Memorial Center was honored with a Preservation League of New York State Award and a Capital District Masonry Institute Honor Award.
architecture+ has also designed housing and student services projects at the University at Albany and Union College as well as several renovation projects at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, including the restoration of The Approach.
