SITIO is a collaborative practice of architects, urban designers and planners based in Philadelphia. Founded by Antonio Fiol-Silva - whose studio built a national reputation for award-winning projects - the firm focuses on context sensitive transformational developments at a wide variety of scales. SITIO is rooted in a commitment to placemaking, sustainability, and design excellence with a regard for local context. This focus has been recognized with several honors including seven ULI Philadelphia Awards for Excellence, and a ULI Global Award for Excellence.
SITIO is a Nationally, State,and Locally Certified MBE NAICS Codes : 541310; 541320; 541410; 541611
SITIO Leadership (left to right): Antonio Fiol-Silva, Karen Blanchard, Andrew Ferrarelli, Elizabeth Mahon
Antonio Fiol-Silva FAIA, LEED AP
Founding Principal
Antonio, is a nationally recognized leader in planning and design, and the Founding Principal of SITIO architecture + urbanism. His integrative work has garnered numerous awards and recognition that include: a ULI Global Award of Excellence for the SteelStacks Art and Cultural Campus; an AIA National Urban Design Award for the US House of Representatives Buildings & South Capitol Area Plan in Washington, DC; a U.S. Green Building Council’s GreenSource cover feature in the for the Charlottesville Downtown Transit & Visitor Center; and a USGBC Project of the Year Award for Paseo Verde, the nation’s first LEED ND Platinum Certified project. His high-profile leadership has been recognized by a Hispanic Professional of the Year Award by the GPHCC.
Antonio serves as a Global Governing Trustee of the Urban Land Institute. He has been District Council Chair of ULI Philadelphia, President of AIA Philadelphia, and President of the Center for Architecture + Design. He is a Board member of the Association for Public Art. He has served as Commissioner of the Delaware River Port Authority and the Philadelphia Historical Commission; and as Board member of the Central Philadelphia Development Corporation and of the joint NLC/ULI Rose Center for Public Leadership. He is widely seen serving on professional & industry juries, lecturing on urban development, and appearing in print and media. Antonio has a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University, a Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard University and was a Fulbright Fellow in Barcelona, Spain.
Elizabeth Mahon AIA, LEED AP
Managing Principal
Elizabeth has in-depth expertise in delivering high-quality projects that elevate the user experience. She has a diverse background in academic, healthcare, civic and commercial projects in the Philadelphia region as well as nationally. Mahon joins SITIO after a decade at HDR, where she served as managing principal and led projects which included 3025 JFK Boulevard, a mixed-use life science, residential and retail project developed by Brandywine; the library and learning commons renovation in the Community College of Philadelphia's Mint Building; the CHOP Center for Advanced Behavioral Health; and a campus expansion project for Incyte Corporation. Prior to HDR she was an Associate Principal at Ballinger involved in academic teaching and research projects including the Science and Engineering Hall at GWU, Singer Hall at Swarthmore College and the Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering at the University of Rhode Island. Earlier in her career, she was a member of IM Pei’s Paris office working on the Louvre Museum expansion and also worked with other national design focused firms including Pelli Clarke & Partners and William Rawn Associates.
Elizabeth has been engaged in various professional and volunteer activities including the Board of Governors at Yale University, past President of the Yale Club of Philadelphia and a member of the Life Science Product Council of the Urban Land Institute. Elizabeth holds bachelor’s degrees in architecture and finance from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Architecture from Yale University.
Karen Blanchard AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Principal
Karen is focused on delivering design excellence to multi-faceted and complex projects. With extensive experience spanning various scales and typologies, she is deeply involved in civic and cultural, residential, educational, and mixed-use developments. From master planning to design details, Karen is dedicated to delivering comprehensive design visions. Her passion for design and the profession has earned her numerous awards, including global, national, state, and local project recognition, as well as being presented the AIA Philadelphia Young Architect award.
Karen has also contributed to the architecture community through leadership roles, including serving as President of AIA Philadelphia and co-chairing the AIA Philadelphia Women in Architecture Committee. In addition, she has supported her community through her work on the Board of Directors for the Fairmount Community Development Corporation, focusing on both long-term strategic visioning and immediate neighborhood improvements. For her professional work and accomplishments she was recognized as a change-maker with the Trailblazing Award by CREW Philadelphia. A graduate of Thomas Jefferson University, Karen remains closely connected to her alma mater, serving as an adjunct faculty member and on the College of Architecture and the Built Environment Advancement Council.
Andrew Ferrarelli AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Principal
Andrew offers extensive experience across cultural, institutional, and mixed-use projects of varying scales, working with both local and national organizations and institutions. He has successfully delivered a diverse range of projects - from complex mixed-use luxury residential high-rise towers to low-rise affordable housing to multiple community recreation centers and a library in underserved neighborhoods of Philadelphia. His projects have been recognized with design awards including the AIA Philadelphia Silver Medal for design excellence for the 2500 League Island facility at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Andrew was awarded the AIA Virginia Emerging Professional Award and was selected for the inaugural class of the VSAIA Emerging Leaders in Architecture Honors Academy.
Andrew earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech, where he developed a solid foundation in process and design exploration, honing his ability to shape meaningful spaces. Andrew extends this passion for design through volunteer work and mentoring the next generation through participation in various organizations and self-directed opportunities. Previously this included designing and building several Little Free Libraries and mentoring high school students through Compete 360; a program that teaches students problem solving skills and helps them identify and creatively solve issues in their local community. He continues to serve as a guest critic and juror at Philadelphia based Universities and serves on the Board of Directors for both AIA Philadelphia and his neighborhood Washington Square West Civic Association.
