In the bustling world of architecture, where innovation meets practicality, Danielle DeVito weaves her expertise across diverse domains. With over two decades of hands-on experience, Danielle has carved a niche for herself in the architectural landscape of Southern Westchester. From spearheading architectural projects to navigating the intricate realm of real estate, her journey reflects a fusion of creativity, strategic insight, and community engagement.
As the founder of Pencil Projects Architecture Studio, Danielle brings a wealth of experience and a distinctive approach to every project. Graduating from The City College of New York with a Bachelor of Architecture, Danielle's credentials extend beyond academia. Licensed to practice architecture in multiple states, including New York, Connecticut, Florida, and Vermont, she is a member of esteemed organisations like the American Institute for Architects, showcasing her commitment to professional excellence. As a licensed real estate agent since 2008, she navigates the ever-evolving market trends with finesse, offering clients a comprehensive perspective on buying and selling properties in Westchester County.
Danielle's tenure at CROZIER GEDNEY ARCHITECTS spanned over 16 years, where she honed her skills by collaborating on multi-million dollar projects in residential, commercial, and private club sectors. She is an active participant in community affairs, serving on the Village of Pelham's Architectural Review Board and the Pelham School District's Facility Committee. Her commitment to community engagement reflects her belief in giving back and fostering a vibrant, inclusive environment.
Early Influences on Architecture
As a child, Danielle DeVito harboured a deep affection for both art and mathematics. She found joy in the logic and problem-solving aspect of math, while simultaneously relishing in the freedom of creativity and imagination. These seemingly contrasting interests became seamlessly integrated in her fascination with architecture. Danielle's upbringing, shadowing her father, a contractor, exposed her to the intricacies of construction sites and processes from a young age, leaving an indelible mark on her.
Throughout her academic journey, Danielle remained deeply involved in art, even delving into fashion design for a period. Initially, she envisioned herself pursuing a career in fashion, particularly during her high school years. However, upon graduating, she found herself at a crossroads, searching for her place in the world. Architecture unexpectedly emerged as her calling, offering a perfect blend of her artistic inclinations and practical sensibilities.
Enthusiastically diving into the pursuit of architecture, Danielle embarked on her educational journey with a sense of uncertainty, yet this uncertainty only fueled her passion further. She eagerly sought out institutions with reputable architecture programs, ultimately discovering the City College of New York as a beacon of excellence in this field.
Despite the gruelling nature of the architectural education process, Danielle found herself enchanted by every aspect of it. She marvelled at the profound impact architecture has on everyday life and revelled in the inherent joy and fulfilment it brought her, despite its occasional challenges and stressors.
Venture into Architecture and Real Estate
As Danielle neared graduation from architecture school, both she and her husband decided to obtain their real estate licenses. They saw this as an additional tool to complement her architectural pursuits. While Danielle doesn't practice real estate full-time, she holds a license with Keller Williams, utilising it primarily to support her architectural endeavours. This includes accessing listings, making appointments, and gaining insights from the MLS database. Recognising the challenge of wearing multiple hats, Danielle focuses on architecture as her primary expertise while exploring avenues that supplement her practice.
Looking ahead, Danielle sees potential in property development and aims to capitalise on opportunities that may arise. Her extensive experience, spanning 16 years with a high-end residential and commercial firm, laid a solid foundation for her entrepreneurial journey. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Danielle seized the opportunity to transition to her own practice.
Driven by a desire to build a brand that champions women in architecture and supports working mothers, Danielle embarked on this new chapter with determination. She received overwhelming support from her community, fostering the growth of her client base since the inception of her practice in June 2021. With over 200 assignments under her belt, spanning residential and commercial projects, Danielle remains deeply involved in community initiatives, aligning with non-profits, art centres, and movie houses.
Danielle DeVito reflected on the vast array of career paths available, finding it enlightening to witness the breadth of options beyond the conventional roles typically introduced during childhood. While professions like doctor, teacher, architect, construction worker, and police officer are often highlighted early on, Danielle acknowledged that the spectrum of opportunities extends far beyond these familiar roles.
She emphasised the notion that one's contributions to society need not be confined to these traditional paths. Indeed, there exists a multitude of lesser-known careers waiting to be discovered, each offering its own unique potential for impact and fulfilment. Danielle underscored the importance of exploring beyond the confines of conventional wisdom to uncover the diverse array of possibilities that await.
Business Demands of Running an Architecture Firm
Danielle DeVito acknowledged the perpetual challenge inherent in the balancing act between business and creativity. Drawing from her previous experience with a firm, she initially believed she had a firm grasp on managing both realms. However, venturing out on her own exposed her to the multifaceted nature of the business side, necessitating rapid learning and adaptation.
Danielle described the ongoing struggle to strike a balance, with days oscillating between intense business-focused tasks and immersive design endeavours. Given the small scale of her firm, Danielle wears multiple hats as the sole architect, emphasising the importance of hands-on involvement in both creative and administrative domains. Despite the workload, she prioritises maintaining equilibrium, particularly as a mother, ensuring she allocates time for family responsibilities.
Highlighting her commitment to work-life balance, Danielle shared that the office closes promptly at 3 o'clock every day to accommodate her role as a parent. While this sometimes entails working late into the night, she views this flexibility as a worthwhile trade-off afforded by entrepreneurship. Danielle's dedication to family-friendly policies underscores her belief in the importance of being present for her children's upbringing while pursuing her professional ambitions.
Danielle also reflected on the daily pursuit of improvement within her firm, acknowledging the inevitable challenges that arise. Some days prove difficult, and feelings of perceived failure may surface. However, she emphasised the resilience required to face each day with renewed determination, constantly seeking ways to enhance their operations.
Danielle found satisfaction in witnessing the growth of her business since its inception in 2021. She highlighted the iterative nature of their approach, continuously questioning and refining their strategies, branding, and efficiency. This ongoing process of self-assessment and adaptation underscores their commitment to progress and excellence.
Project Management and Client Relationships at Pencil Projects
Reflecting on her tenure at a well-known and established firm founded in the fifties, Danielle recounted the invaluable opportunities she had to work on significant projects. She highlighted a particular instance where an unexpected fire ravaged a commercial building housing a private club undergoing renovation. Despite an incident having no association with their work, Danielle's team stepped in to manage the extensive $15,000,000 restoration project. Additionally, they dealt with other clubs affected by natural disasters like floods during Sandy and Irene, providing her with firsthand experience in emergency restoration efforts.
Danielle emphasised the importance of diving into challenging situations to learn and adapt, acknowledging the rarity of firms specialising in disaster relief. This unexpected experience proved immensely valuable when, as an independent entity, Pencil Projects assisted clients whose homes had been completely destroyed by fire. Drawing on her past experiences, Danielle and her team provided comprehensive support, understanding the heightened stress and emotional toll such circumstances entail.
Building Lasting Client Relationships: Strategies and Values
Danielle DeVito emphasised the pivotal role of client relationships, likening it to a trio involving architects, clients, and contractors. She stressed the unity of purpose among these stakeholders, highlighting the significance of transparency from the outset of consultations.
Danielle underscored the importance of clearly defining goals, timelines, and budgets at the outset of projects. Despite occasional hesitancy from clients to disclose budgetary constraints upfront, she advocated for open communication, asserting that all parties share the same objective. Furthermore, she emphasised the virtues of active listening and patience, essential qualities for navigating clients' evolving preferences throughout the project lifecycle.
According to Danielle, building these expectations into the project workflow fosters a harmonious and stress-free collaboration. She attributed the firm's success in securing repeat clients to this approach, noting instances where clients returned for multiple projects despite the firm's relatively short tenure. Moreover, she highlighted the firm's expansion into multiple states as a testament to the strong client relationships cultivated over time.
In terms of marketing, Danielle revealed a preference for grassroots approaches over traditional advertising. While the firm supports local initiatives, such as community bulletins, it primarily relies on word-of-mouth referrals and client testimonials to attract new business. Ultimately, she affirmed that the firm's client base remains their most valuable asset, underlining their commitment to nurturing these relationships above all else.
Financial Analysis for Project Success.
Danielle DeVito emphasised the crucial role of transparency regarding budget considerations in project planning. There is a necessity to educate clients about the comprehensive costs involved in project completion, beyond just contractor expenses. She noted the common surprise clients experience regarding material costs and stressed the significance of initiating transparent conversations about budget constraints upfront.
According to Danielle, setting clear parameters from the outset ensures realistic expectations and prevents disappointment later in the project timeline. She emphasised the importance of aligning the client's budget expectations with the project scope to avoid unnecessary delays and frustrations.
To facilitate this process, Danielle described utilising a project budget spreadsheet analysis, which assists clients in comprehending the various cost components involved. By meticulously reviewing contractor estimates and supplementing them with additional expenses, clients gain a comprehensive understanding of the project's financial landscape. The synergy between financial analysis and project creativity is important for striking a balance between artistic vision and budgetary constraints to achieve project success.
Tailored Project Approaches: Customising Based on Budgets
Danielle explained that their aim is to offer clients fresh perspectives and ideas beyond their initial concepts. Recognising that clients often have fixed notions about their projects, Danielle emphasised the importance of introducing novel ideas that clients may not have considered independently.
To achieve this, Danielle described employing a tiered approach in their project presentations. The first tier typically proposes budget-friendly options with minimal alterations. Subsequently, subsequent tiers explore more innovative and extensive modifications that can enhance the project outcome.
Danielle underscored the importance of presenting these options to clients, allowing them to choose the direction that best aligns with their budget and vision. By providing clients with a range of possibilities, Danielle ensures that they are empowered to make informed decisions while tailoring the project to their specific needs and financial constraints.
Ultimately, Danielle emphasised the collaborative nature of their approach, wherein clients are given the autonomy to select the most suitable path forward, guiding project development within the established parameters.
Community Engagement in Architecture
In the village of Pelham, Danielle DeVito serves on the architectural review board, a role that deeply intertwines with her belief in the significance of community involvement. When questioned about the importance of this engagement and its relevance to architecture, Danielle elaborated on several compelling reasons close to her heart.
Firstly, Danielle expressed her genuine awe and fulfilment in actively participating in community affairs as an architect residing in the very community she serves. Witnessing firsthand the tangible impact of her contributions fills her with inspiration and a profound sense of fulfilment. Moreover, her involvement resonates on a personal level, as her children observe and are enthused by her community work, instilling in them a sense of pride and excitement.
Beyond personal fulfilment, Danielle values community involvement as a continuous learning opportunity. Each board meeting, and every project, presents a unique set of challenges and insights, fostering growth and broadening her perspective. Danielle emphasised the rewarding nature of volunteering, which exposes her to diverse perspectives and enriches her understanding of various community needs and concerns.
Danielle's involvement extends across multiple community platforms, including the Board of Review and the District's Facilities Committee, where she actively contributes to shaping decisions impacting the local school district's infrastructure. Additionally, her role in her church's grounds facility committee allows her to stay informed about church-related matters and collaborate with fellow community members on meaningful projects.
Despite occasional stressors, Danielle finds immense joy in her community engagement. Whether collaborating on an outdoor classroom project with a local elementary school or discussing community needs at a supermarket encounter, Danielle is deeply invested in contributing to her community's growth and well-being. Through these engagements, she transcends her role as a mother and becomes an active participant in shaping the future of her community, addressing diverse needs ranging from business district development to cultural centre enhancements. Ultimately, Danielle finds great satisfaction in leveraging her architectural expertise to address community needs and foster positive change.
Danielle DeVito's Reflections on Being a Woman in Architecture
Danielle attributes much of her success to the fortunate circumstances of receiving an excellent education without accumulating significant debt, thanks to the support of her parents. Danielle underscored the importance of this financial stability, especially in a profession where financial constraints often prevail.
Recalling her early career, Danielle expressed appreciation for the supportive environment of the firm where she worked. Despite the challenges of being a working mother in a small firm, which limited her maternity leave to four weeks for each child, Danielle acknowledged the opportunities and experiences that her firm provided. She highlighted the necessity of hard work, particularly for women in male-dominated fields, emphasising the importance of self-care alongside professional endeavours.
Danielle recognised the occasional need to exert extra effort to establish credibility and rapport, especially when encountering preconceived notions about the typical appearance of an architect. Nevertheless, she conveyed a sense of resilience and satisfaction in overcoming such challenges, attributing much of her success to the supportive community and Chamber that embraced her woman-owned business.
“I think we are emotional, we are supportive, and we help our clients through high stress. We bring a softness to the profession that maybe was lacking for a really long time. I like being the soft side of construction”.
As Danielle reflected on her identity as a woman architect, she celebrated the unique qualities that women bring to the profession. She characterised women architects as emotional, supportive, and adept at guiding clients through the stress and upheaval of renovations. Danielle expressed pride in embodying the "soft side of construction," contributing a perspective that enriches the profession and fosters greater empathy and understanding among colleagues and clients alike.
From collaborating with renowned establishments like Live Nation and The Capitol Theatre to championing local initiatives like The Pelham Art Center, Danielle's career epitomises versatility and impact. With a robust network of collaborators and a penchant for tackling design challenges, she continues to push the boundaries of architectural innovation while staying rooted in her community.
In essence, Danielle DeVito's journey exemplifies the symbiotic relationship between creativity, professionalism, and community stewardship, making her a dynamic force in the architectural landscape.
