Personal statement from Michael A. Vaccaro, AIA, NCARB, SC ARCH#6618
The most rewarding time in my professional life is when I receive the random phone call from a friend or associate of a past client inquiring about my services and telling me that I was highly recommended to them by an old client that loves the house, or restaurant, or office, or inn, or factory - whatever, and raves about the experience of working with me. That's when I feel like I have really helped make someone's life better through design and the experience of design.
My role in any project is to absorb, then translate words and feelings into a design that meets my clients' unique requirements. I have found that the best way to do this is to just do it - all of it. So, when you hire Vaccaro Architecture, Inc., you will have one source who creates a set of directions to build your project directly from translating, (or at times, adding to, running with or managing) your ideas, aspirations, aesthetics, etc... I respect the big firms, but I would not commission an artist to paint me a picture knowing that the artist would pass off some or all of that work to an understudy or worse. I would feel like I lost out on the experience a little. In that case, I would rather just go buy a finished work. It seems like my clients feel that way about their buildings as well. It's really important.
If you ask how I approach the process of creating designs that translate into the built environment, I would definitely say that my designs reflect a collaboration between client and architect based on communication and understanding. If you ask what I design, then I would say I tend towards rational spaces and believe that it is never necessary to overcomplicate the design. A clear-cut solution executed in a simple manner that is well detailed is usually the most beautiful over time.
Vaccaro Architecture, Inc. is a single person S-Corp. Here is some resume history for me and the firm. It is all very important (to me), so enjoy, but the most important thing in my professional practice is continuing to provide the best designs and beautiful lasting environments along with the best service and experience.
Professional Experience
Architect – VACCARO Architecture, Inc., Hilton Head Island, SC ▪ 2003 – Present
•Company was formed in 2003 to specialize in high end custom projects.
Managing Partner – Ludtke & Vaccaro Architects, LLC, Hilton Head Island, SC ▪ 2006 – 2015
•Active Partner in a firm that specializes in custom residential architecture.
Architect Project Manager – Wayne Windham Architect, Bluffton, SC ▪ 2004 – 2006
•Served as firm manager in the Bluffton office.
Architect Intern – Various firms, Cleveland, Denver, Hilton Head ▪ 1996-2003
Education
•Master of Architecture from the University of Colorado at Denver, CO in 1999
•Bachelor of Environmental Design from Miami University in Oxford, OH in 1996
•summer study programs in Italy, Greece, and China
Boards and Affiliations (some past , some present)
•Member of American Institute of Architects - AIA
•Member of National Council of Architectural Registration Boards - NCARB
•Board Member, Hilton Head regional Habitat for Humanity
•Board Member, Palmetto Dunes Property Owners Association Board of Directors
•Board Member, Town of Bluffton, SC Construction Board of Appeals and Adjustments
•Consulting Architect to Bluffton Promenade Development Architectural Review Board
•Consulting Architect to Sandcastles by the Sea Architectural Review Board
Pro Bono
•Hilton Head Habitat for Humanity
•Daufuskie Island Historical Society
•Bluffton Historical Preservation Society
The most rewarding time in my professional life is when I receive the random phone call from a friend or associate of a past client inquiring about my services and telling me that I was highly recommended to them by an old client that loves the house, or restaurant, or office, or inn, or factory - whatever, and raves about the experience of working with me. That's when I feel like I have really helped make someone's life better through design and the experience of design.
My role in any project is to absorb, then translate words and feelings into a design that meets my clients' unique requirements. I have found that the best way to do this is to just do it - all of it. So, when you hire Vaccaro Architecture, Inc., you will have one source who creates a set of directions to build your project directly from translating, (or at times, adding to, running with or managing) your ideas, aspirations, aesthetics, etc... I respect the big firms, but I would not commission an artist to paint me a picture knowing that the artist would pass off some or all of that work to an understudy or worse. I would feel like I lost out on the experience a little. In that case, I would rather just go buy a finished work. It seems like my clients feel that way about their buildings as well. It's really important.
If you ask how I approach the process of creating designs that translate into the built environment, I would definitely say that my designs reflect a collaboration between client and architect based on communication and understanding. If you ask what I design, then I would say I tend towards rational spaces and believe that it is never necessary to overcomplicate the design. A clear-cut solution executed in a simple manner that is well detailed is usually the most beautiful over time.
Vaccaro Architecture, Inc. is a single person S-Corp. Here is some resume history for me and the firm. It is all very important (to me), so enjoy, but the most important thing in my professional practice is continuing to provide the best designs and beautiful lasting environments along with the best service and experience.
Professional Experience
Architect – VACCARO Architecture, Inc., Hilton Head Island, SC ▪ 2003 – Present
•Company was formed in 2003 to specialize in high end custom projects.
Managing Partner – Ludtke & Vaccaro Architects, LLC, Hilton Head Island, SC ▪ 2006 – 2015
•Active Partner in a firm that specializes in custom residential architecture.
Architect Project Manager – Wayne Windham Architect, Bluffton, SC ▪ 2004 – 2006
•Served as firm manager in the Bluffton office.
Architect Intern – Various firms, Cleveland, Denver, Hilton Head ▪ 1996-2003
Education
•Master of Architecture from the University of Colorado at Denver, CO in 1999
•Bachelor of Environmental Design from Miami University in Oxford, OH in 1996
•summer study programs in Italy, Greece, and China
Boards and Affiliations (some past , some present)
•Member of American Institute of Architects - AIA
•Member of National Council of Architectural Registration Boards - NCARB
•Board Member, Hilton Head regional Habitat for Humanity
•Board Member, Palmetto Dunes Property Owners Association Board of Directors
•Board Member, Town of Bluffton, SC Construction Board of Appeals and Adjustments
•Consulting Architect to Bluffton Promenade Development Architectural Review Board
•Consulting Architect to Sandcastles by the Sea Architectural Review Board
Pro Bono
•Hilton Head Habitat for Humanity
•Daufuskie Island Historical Society
•Bluffton Historical Preservation Society