Charles Di Piazza Architecture
Charles Di Piazza Architecture (CDPA) is a practice that designs high quality modern architecture. We put a strong emphasis on the inventive use of building materials, the qualities of light and the relationship between the building and its surroundings. We consider these issues to be more important than working in a particular style and hope that each project will be an original interpretation of the client, site, program and budget.
For us, practice is understood as a range of activities which are all necessary to each other - design of buildings, fittings and furniture; making buildings, installations and models; connecting speculation and practice, lecturing and writing and teaching about architecture, collaborations with craftsmen, artists, and consultants.
PEOPLE
Charles di Piazza - Founder & Principal Architect
BA University of Texas at Austin, MArch University of Texas SOA
Prior to founding CHARLES DI PIAZZA ARCHITECTURE in Austin, Charles worked for two internationally recognized offices on projects ranging in size from a carbon-neutral city of 90,000 inhabitants and a skyscraper, to a retail bank branch prototype and an intimate gallery of photographic arts. He has been responsible for all phases of design and has consistently endeavored to integrate design with nature.
Charles believes buildings can provoke us toward better social interaction, a more open relationship with nature and more productive and upbeat lives. Another of Charles’ interests is sustainability, and toward this goal he strives to contribute toward projects in terms of reduced footprints, recycled materials and minimal energy solutions. He is a registered architect in Texas and Massachusetts and was voted Best Architect by Austin Monthly's 2015 People Readers' Choice
Email: cdp@charlesdipiazza.com
Phone: (512) 705-5893
Robert Foy - Deputy Design Director
BS-Arch University of Texas Arlington, MArch Harvard University GSD
Robert began his collaboration with Charles DI PIAZZA Architecture in 2015 shortly after returning to the US from over a decade in London where he worked with several prize-winning firms as well as starting his own practice. Since joining CDPA Robert has contributed to numerous projects such as Preston House, Dog-Trot, Cabanon, and Windsor House; as well as speculative projects and urban studies. To accompany general practice he has taught design studios in England and often serves as a guest jurist on design reviews in the United States and Europe. Robert is particularly interested in the synthesis of ancient and modern architecture as a method of ensuring that designs are informed by the rich heritage or architecture and have lasting integrity.
Email: rdf@charlesdipiazza.com
Jean-Sebastian Bartlett - Project Designer
B.Arch University of Texas
Jean-Sebastian joined Charles Di Piazza Architecture in 2023 after his graduation from the University of Texas School of Architecture. In the years prior to graduation, he worked for a variety of architects and developers around Texas. At CDPA he is responsible for design studies of projects and their documentation.
Jean-Sebastian is most interested in the history, process, and dialogue of architectural drawing and rendering - particularly with how the formation of ideas and their drawn representation are reciprocal and informative of each other, and to the daily work of the design studio. In built work he appreciates clear organization, strong formal gestures, and architecture that is poetic and assertive.
Email: jsb@charlesdipiazza.com
Maarten Janssens- Project Designer
M.Arch University of Texas
Maarten is from Texas and Belgium, which explains his combination of Flemish intonation and Southern twang. After studying both engineering and architecture at UT Austin, he cut his teeth in design-build; there he solidified a fondness towards well placed downspouts, square awning windows, and filleted curtain rails. He has a shiny purple gravel bike, and an increasingly unwieldy vinyl collection, which is currently noted as his largest retirement asset.
