About us

Philosophy & Mission

We believe in the profession of architecture. We believe in furthering the built environment through responsible, sustainable, and intelligent decision-making in partnership with clients and consultants. We believe that as architects, our greatest calling is to serve the public with thoughtful design.

Our architecture is clear, precise, and honest: an architecture of the absolutely necessary. Many of our projects begin from the intense working of materials, and as such, our built projects convey a specific sensibility about tactility and material that carries through every part of our projects.

Our design success is not only defined by how buildings look, but also by how they work. Our team strives for design that purposefully meets both our client's functional and aesthetic needs, and results in dynamic and inspirational spaces.

Our Staff

Christa Duelberg-Kraftician, AIA LEED AP GGP

Principal

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Russel Pacala, AIA LEED AP

Principal

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Salvatore B. Verrastro, AIA CCS CCCA FCSI

Principal

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Christian Didra, RA

Associate Architect

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Heather Rizzetto Schmidt, LEED AP

Project Designer & Manager

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Daniel Silberman

Associate Architect

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Blaine Summitt, RA

Associate & Project Architect

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David Wrigley, CSI CCS

Specification Writer

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Bridget Zagwoski

Administrative Assistant

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Angelina Martens

Interior Designer

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Work at Spillman Farmer

We’re always on the lookout for creative, skilled, and open-minded architects and interns to join our highly collaborative team.

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History:

History: 1920

Curtis Lovelace (one of the eventual founders of Lovelace & Spillman, the predecessor to firm to Spillman Farmer Architects) studied architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. He took over the architectural practice of classmate James Green, Jr. located in Bethlehem, Pa. The earliest work we have found attributed to Curtis Lovelace’s architectural practice is dated June 24, 1920. Prior to taking over the practice, Curtis Lovelace worked in architecture for 12 years and was a former Bethlehem Steel employee.

History: 1928

Between 1922 and 1928, Curtis Lovelace and Otto Spillman join forces as Lovelace & Spillman. Their first recorded project as the Lovelace & Spillman team is the RK Laros residence on March 25, 1928. Prior to that, Lovelace designed a stable for the Laros family estate.

History: 1968

Lovelace & Spillman lands major commissions performing work for Bethlehem’s Civic Center, Town Hall, City Hall, Police Station, and Public Library.

History: 1971

Following Otto Spillman’s death, Bob joined with partner Thomas Farmer and renamed the firm Spillman Farmer Architects to reflect its new leadership. Projects at Lehigh University and Tyler State Park receive Design Excellence Awards.

History: 1982

Bob Spillman is named President of Spillman Farmer Architects

History: 1996

Bob officially retires from Spillman Farmer after 38 years with the company, but stays on as Senior Principal to consult on jobs and provide expert testimony. The following year, he is named a Fellow of the AIA for his contributions to the profession of architecture.

History: 2004

Author George Keller publishes “Transforming a College: The Story of a Little-Known College’s Strategic Climb to National Distinction,” featuring Elon University. The book details how Spillman Farmer Architects’s planning knowledge and expertise helped position Elon for future success.

History: 2011

Spillman Farmer represents the United States in the Prague Quadrennial, an international platform for scenography education, exhibitions, exchanges, publications, and projects. ArtsQuest Center at Steelstacks and Lafayette College Arts Plaza are featured among works by 62 countries.

History: 2012

The Pennsylvania Chapter of the AIA awards Spillman Farmer Architects with a Silver Medal for the ArtsQuest Center at Steelstacks. The Silver Medal represents AIA PA’s highest honor.

History: 2013

Spillman Farmer Architects receives the first annual Firm Award from AIA’s Pennsylvania Chapter. The award recognizes a firm for consistently demonstrating their commitment to design excellence, and for their contributions to the profession of architecture.

History: 2014

Bethlehem Mayor Robert Donchez declares December 22 “Robert A. Spillman Day” in the City of Bethlehem to honor Bob Spillman. The day recognizes his 60 years of dedicated professional and community service as an architect, philanthropist, leader, colleague and friend. A scholarship is created in Bob Spillman’s honor to sponsor a student’s participation in the Banana Factory summer camps focused on art, architecture, or innovation.

History: 2015

The Susquehanna Arts Museum curates an exhibit displaying the design process and products of renovated architecture. Spillman Farmer’s work at Lafayette College Arts Plaza and NH&GS Sigal Museum as selected to appear as part of the exhibit.

History: 2017

Bob Spillman passes away at the age of 86. The values Bob instilled in the Spillman Farmer team and his legacy of integrity and community continues to influences every aspect of the work that we do.

History: 2019

Spillman Farmer designs Pennsylvania’s first Net Zero Energy Building at Millersville University.

Recent Acknowledgments

Engineering Excellence Grand Award – American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)

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Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence 2017 (entire Steelstacks campus)

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10 Startup Incubators You Need to Watch – Inc.com, 2011

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Award of Merit – American Institute of Architects Eastern PA Chapter, 2011

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First Place National Honors – US EPA 2011 ENERGY STAR Challenge, 2011

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Award of Merit – AIA Eastern PA Chapter, 2010

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Best In Show; Modular Building Institute, 2011

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