Full Service Architectural Firm

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. First I always put myself in the role of the client to better understand the questions they might or should be asking, but if I were hiring an Architect I would make sure that they have some philosophy on architecture that will help them create something that has a proper place in the world around us (so you don't end up with something that looks ugly) and that they have a good attitude on all sorts of aspect of architecture including circulation, hierarchy, structure, detailing and the like as it is the complete integration of all these elements that help make for a successful project.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. I think clients should know what their budget is and what they're goals are as a basis for a conversation with an Architect. Next, to help the project move faster it would be useful to have a site survey so that FAR's can be calculated accurately. Finally, because the removal of asbestos can be expensive and thus impact a projects budget, have an environmentalist lab do an inspection. Minimizing surprises will help move your project towards completion faster helping the client save money.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Mr. Buccalo has stood out in from his peers in many ways, but most notably because of the high quality of his design work, which while beautiful and creative always has a practical aspect that Owners and Developers appreciate. In fact all his designs have consistently stayed right on budget. This reflects his skill as a designer and the depth of his knowledge. There is no mistake that during his internship he was always hired immediately by other Architects including the world famous Philip Johnson of the famed Glass House Architect.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I personally like the complexity of Architecture and it's ability to shape a positive spirit for our future. A good Architect will take all the aspects of Architecture into account when designing a solid project. Not every Architect can do this and that is a fact. Just like there are better Doctors you will find the same is true with the Architect you choose. For me it isn't about pushing some idea I came up with so that the world will recognize my style, but instead to find the exact right solution for my client and for the site on which their building will sit. I understand that every decision will have ramification for it's future use and appreciation and I demand of myself that whatever is designed will be worthy of these things. It is my expectation of achieving the highest quality of design in all it's senses that motivates me as an individual and Architect.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. It never fails but clients ask me how much do you charge. They're not blind and they can see that I'm a very skilled Architect who has a lot of experience. What they're surprized by is how reasonable my prices are. Generally lower than the 'business Architect' who is in this profession to make money only and could careless about what ramifications their design might have on the client or public, but for me I do care that the client is in a much better position than when they started, and that the public can look at our projects with pride that they exist in their neighborhood. It is for me a win all around. I help people and in return get more work to help make a better world around us.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I knew I would become an Architect when I was in third grade and after some consideration, and love for drawing floor plans to help me discover what spaces were inside a building, understood that it was the spark in my life. I have a great appreciation for the history of architecture and art and have lectured on those topics before. The love of creating places that people can be a part of is a very exciting notion to me, leaving me with the hard part of finding clients with open minds who have a desire to be a part of building something great as well.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. There are several new and exciting things happening in Architecture. LED lighting is literally cool (doesn't heat up interiors) and are very low energy consumers; new solar panels that are flexible can be molded to any shape and there are screens available for windows that mitigate heat gain from the sun that flex with the time of day. Other exciting new technology has to do with materials that are stronger and lighter in weight to assemble. These materials have the ability to create undulating forms unlike previous 'flat' modular units providing the designer with unlimited opportunity for expression.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. I believe in charging clients reasonable prices for what service they are receiving. I never charge to order furniture or other materials as I find that unethical (I am not a retail store) as many other Architects and Interior Designers do, but instead look at what is being provided to a client and charge appropriately. For instance a drafts person would be billed to a client at a much lower rate than a designer who's skill is relied on to inform the draftsperson.