John Saracco Architect LLC (JSA) is a 10 year old design firm dedicated to developing the unique character of each individual project, offering intelligent and innovation design solutions that respect our clients’ aesthetic sensibilities and economic realities. We emphasize a disciplined design approach, seeking creative and smart design strategies for business. We see our role extend beyond that of traditional architectural services, through a commitment to a proactive leadership role with our consultant team, ensuring that the overall vision and quality of the project is delivered

With a staff of nine, JSA is able to offer our clients the hands-on approach to all aspect of the project. This personal service and focus has allowed JSA to continually meet our clients’ goals and create unique projects. JSA brings an understanding of the full project scope to the development from economics to final construction. This knowledge results in meaningful design solutions and strong market acceptance while meeting the needs of developers. Our personal approach to projects, coupled with our experience, dependability and integrity is the cornerstone of our practice.

JSA has experience in all types of office and multi-family housing: high-rise, mid-rise, low-rise, luxury, market and low income, senior, assisted living and nursing health care. This experience has been developed in urban, suburban and historic contexts, with emphasis always placed on creative design solutions for each particular locality. Our designs are responsive to each individual market.

JSA combines the creative ideas with knowledgeable code analysis and practical construction detailing to achieve imaginative, beautiful and efficient designs, unique to each client. We also understand that the success of any building is measured by more than aesthetics. To us, a truly successful project achieves the difficult balance between all of an owner’s expectations: program., budget, schedule, as well as efficiency of design and beauty. 

The Principal:

John Saracco
President, John Saracco, Architect L.L.C.

Education:

1976-1981: Enrolled in five-year architectural program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. Graduated with Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Building Sciences. Courses of study focused on advanced building technologies and their integration with the design projects.
1978-1979: One year of overseas architectural studies at the Universita’ di Roma, in Rome, Italy. Basic and advanced architectural esthetic and composition principals were deeply explored.
1999-2000: Advanced courses in Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) at Morris County College. Procedures for bringing an architectural office into the mainstream of up to date architectural computer technologies, programs and online capabilities were established. 

Practice:
 
1981-1985: Internship program with Richard Dattner, AIA, New York, N.Y. Most of the program was focused on design and construction drawings for the $70 million Riverbank State Park on the Hudson River in New York City. As part of the design team, responsibilities were focused on the design of the two approach bridges to the park which crossed over the Henry Hudson Parkway, Riverside Park and ultimately anchored into a 19th century granite retaining wall designed by Frederick Laws Olmstead along Riverside Drive.
1986-1992: Private practice in Hoboken, N.J. that was dedicated predominantly to multi-family rehabilitation projects of late 19th century buildings. As part of the gentrification of this 19th century industrial city, many of the old townhouses were gutted and modernized for the new generation moving in. These years were in essence a workshop in building rehabilitation and renovation.
1993-1997: Project Manager for several large general contractors in New York and New Jersey. Most of the projects were medium to large publicly bid projects, such as schools, post offices, and college buildings. Being a part of the building side of the construction industry has brought invaluable insights for the architectural practice as to how building actually get built, the relationships of contractor/subcontractor/material suppliers, how money flows from the financial institution through the G.C. down to the vendors, and a better perspective of the architects role in the construction industry.
1998-Present: Private practice in Boonton, N.J. focused predominantly on multi-family housing, historic preservation projects, office buildings, and senior health related facilities.  

Licenses:

Registered Architect in the States of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania