SITIO WELCOMES CORNELL STUDENTS TO THE TEAM!

We're excited to welcome Cornell architecture students Jaclyn James and Austin Johnson to the SITIO team! Jaclyn joined SITIO after completing her second year, while Austin returns after finishing his third year in the Bachelor of Architecture program. Originally from the Poconos and the greater Philadelphia area, respectively, they’ve enjoyed connecting with the city and diving into design work with the team. Welcome, Jaclyn and Austin — we’re glad to have you on board!

THE ASTRID AT POOKS HILL WINS 3 IES LIGHTING AWARDS

The Astrid at Pooks Hill in Bethesda, Maryland, was recently honored with three awards from the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). The project received the IES International Illumination Award of Merit, the IES Philadelphia Section Award for Interior Lighting Design, and the IES Philadelphia Section Raymond Grenald Award.

Serving as both architect and interior designer, SITIO collaborated with The Lighting Practice, whose thoughtful lighting design amplified the project’s embrace of the Scandinavian concept of hygge—creating a serene, welcoming retreat defined by warmth, comfort, and well-being.

FINISHING TOUCHES AT DETROIT'S LA JOYA GARDENS

La Joya Gardens nears completion as new residents begin moving in and finishing touches are installed. Located in one of the city’s most vibrant and fast-growing neighborhoods, La Joya Gardens features spacious, modern apartments designed for mixed-income living. Just minutes from Downtown Detroit, residents enjoy convenient access to local shops, stadiums, restaurants, food trucks, and cultural attractions.

CELEBRATING THE RE-OPENING OF LAWNCREST LIBRARY!

After extensive renovations, the Lawncrest Library has officially reopened to the public. Located in North Philadelphia and part of the Free Library of Philadelphia network, the library underwent a $4.5 million transformation made possible through the City of Philadelphia’s Rebuild program.

Originally built in 1961, the library has been thoughtfully revitalized to serve once again as a vibrant and welcoming community hub. Mayor Cherelle Parker led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating the reopening and recognizing the design work of SITIO in delivering a wide range of impactful upgrades.

Renovations included new building systems, improved lighting, exterior façade enhancements, the addition of flexible meeting rooms, new office spaces, and refreshed furnishings and finishes—modernizing the facility while preserving its role as a vital neighborhood resource.

BUILDING ON AND OFF THE COURT: SITIO CREATES NEW VISION FOR LA LIGA DEL BARRIO

SITIO team members Brooke Kervi and Andrew Ferrarelli are volunteering with the Community Design Collaborative to envision a new Community Hub and Basketball Center for La Liga del Barrio. This past Saturday marked the first community engagement session, where parents, players, coaches, and fans shared their ideas and feedback. La Liga del Barrio, Philadelphia’s first Latino youth basketball league, has been a vital resource for over 25 years—offering programs in basketball, track and field, and more to Latino and minority youth across the city. The league serves boys and girls ages 6–18, fostering athletic development while encouraging academic success.

SITIO TURNS 9!

SITIO turns 9! Grateful for the trust our clients place in us and the wide-ranging opportunities to build enduring places, both near and far!🥂

ANDREW FERRARELLI FEATURED CSI PANELIST

SITIO principal Andrew Ferrarelli was a featured panelist at CSI Philadelphia Chapter’s ‘Grill Series’ for a discussion on "Fast Track Documentation and Management." This candid and insightful conversation delved into the realities of construction when things don’t go as planned. During the discussion, Andrew addressed the challenges of fast-track project timelines and the critical coordination between architects, engineers, contractors, and other professional consultants in the industry.

ANDREW FERRARELLI GUEST JUROR FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Andrew Ferrarelli, principal at SITIO, served as a guest juror for Habitat for Humanity of Chester County’s "Build a House, Build a Dream" competition. In this event, 5th-grade students created designs for their dream homes, presenting their concepts through 3D models, drawings, and sketches. The competition aimed to raise awareness about the need for affordable housing in the Delaware Valley and to garner support for homebuilding programs while providing students with an introduction to Habitat for Humanity's mission. Andrew was impressed by the students' enthusiasm, creativity, and critical thinking, which were evident in their innovative designs.

LA JOYA GARDENS AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OPENS IN DETROIT

SITIO’s La Joya Gardens marked its much-anticipated opening with a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony. The mixed-use affordable housing development in Detroit’s Southwest neighborhood breathes new life into its block-long site along the Vernor corridor – down the street from Ford’s emerging Mobility Innovation District.

The 53-unit building provides affordable and market-rate apartments, incubator space, and retail. Gracing the streetscape are lush, landscaped plazas connected by a vibrant community pavilion that creates an inviting place for community gathering and events. Developed through a public-private partnership between Cinnaire Solutions, the Southwest Detroit Business Association, and the City of Detroit, this project adds thoughtful density to the area while blending modern design with the neighborhood's existing character through an artful collage of volumes and color.

"What had been a vacant lot along the main commercial corridor in Southwest Detroit is now a beautiful mixed-use building that adds a significant number of affordable housing units for this area," said Mayor Mike Duggan. "This is how we are making sure that as our neighborhoods come back, longtime residents know they can afford to stay and enjoy this revitalization."

To learn more about La Joya visit:

https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/la-joya-gardens-affordable-housing-detroit/

ANTONIO FIOL-SILVA PRESENTS AT BUILDING MUSEUM SYMPOSIUM 2024

Antonio Fiol-Silva, the Founding Principal of SITIO, presented a session at the recent 'Building Museums Symposium 2024,' organized by the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums. The session, titled 'The Cultural Heart of the Barrio: Taller Puertorriqueno’s Place in Community,' featured the creation of Taller Puertorriqueno, a new 25,000 square foot facility that acted as a catalyst for fresh investments in its North Philadelphia neighborhood.

The discussion centered on the 7-year journey following the inauguration of the new building, offering valuable insights into its evolution, expansion, and the critical role of leadership. This narrative of success was deeply intertwined with the unwavering support of the community, extending far beyond the immediate vicinity of the institution.

Antonio was joined by:

Eduardo Diaz, the former Director of the Smithsonian Latino Center

Dr. Carmen Febo San Miguel, Former Executive Director, Taller Puertorriqueno

SITIO'S 'THE CLARK' BUILDING HIGHLIGHTED

The latest NakedPhilly review profiled ‘The Clark’, designed by SITIO and developed by EQT Exeter. The Clark integrates a transit oriented, multi-family development in the thriving University City neighborhood of Philadelphia. The article states ‘The design here is fantastic, with the massing taking its cues from the neighboring school and the facade following suit as well.’

To read more click here!

SITIO FEATURED IN CONTEXT MAGAZINE

SITIO was showcased in the winter edition of AIA Philadelphia’s ‘Context Magazine’. SITIO’s project, The Penn Drexel Newman Center, was featured for its thoughtful architectural approach in blending new and existing structures with the newly created plaza and garden open spaces. The article also highlighted the project’s successful public-private partnership involving the collaboration of multiple institutions and private developer, EQT Exeter.

Moreover, SITIO's Founding Principal, Antonio Fiol-Silva, was recognized in the same issue for receiving the esteemed John Frederick Harbeson Award from AIA Philadelphia. This prestigious accolade honored his longstanding and impactful contributions to the architectural profession, the AIA, and the broader Philadelphia community.