Robert Cardello is a graduate of Tulane University where he received a Master of Architecture. After seven years working within high-end residential firms, he founded Cardello Architects in 1999, launching his distinguished career designing award-winning commercial and residential properties throughout New England and beyond. Bob sees traditional principles as tools for innovative expression rather than boundaries within which to practice. He has an uncompromising eye for timeless design and his thoughtful attention to function and space has allowed his homes to evolve with the families who reside within them. Bob enjoys bringing people together and his designs reflect this, with even the grandest spaces radiating warmth and intimacy. As principal of Cardello Architects, Bob prides himself on his ability to combine a strong creative spirit with an efficient client-centric process. Consistently recognized as one of the top coastal architects in the country, Bob has elected to maintain an intentionally small boutique firm where team members work in an open-studio environment that fosters creativity and collaboration. Bob believes in exemplary customer service with a personal touch. His hand sketches have remained a key part of his creative process over the years; Former clients even frequently display his pen and paper drawings in their finished homes. When he’s not designing homes, Bob enjoys boating, fishing and friendly competition with his bowling league and award-winning barbecue creations. Bob has his architecture license in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Florida and Rhode Island and he resides in Fairfield, Connecticut with his wife, Judi, and their two children.
Robert A. Cardello
Founder
David A. LaPierre – Dave joined Cardello Architects in 2004 and quickly became an integral part of the success of the team. He has been recognized with numerous awards and is widely published in leading regional and national publications. Dave earned an associate degree in engineering and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA. He has a strong technical background and thorough understanding of construction detailing – not to mention his uncompromising eye toward design. No detail escapes Dave’s notice, making his expertise invaluable for onsite reviews during the construction process. Dave’s passion for great architecture, no matter the style, is rivaled only by his love of cars. Dave has owned and restored many “muscle cars” over the years. He has a love for the water and enjoys boating after years of living in Nantucket. Dave is a registered architect in Connecticut and Florida, a member of both the American Institute of Architects Connecticut and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and remains involved with local trade events. Dave and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Stratford, Connecticut.
David A. LaPierre
Partner
Robert A. Cardello
FounderRobert Cardello is a graduate of Tulane University, where he received a Master’s Degree in Architecture. After seven years working within high end residential firms, he founded Robert A. Cardello Architects in 1999, launching his distinguished career designing award-winning commercial and residential properties throughout New England and beyond. Bob sees traditional principles as tools for innovative expression rather than boundaries within which to practice. He has an uncompromising eye for timeless design and his thoughtful attention to function and space has allowed his homes to evolve with the families who reside within them. Bob enjoys bringing people together and his designs reflect this, with even the grandest spaces radiating warmth and intimacy. As Principal of RAC, Bob prides himself on his ability to combine a strong creative spirit with an efficient client-centric process. Consistently recognized as one of the top Coastal Architects in the country, Bob has elected to maintain an intentionally small boutique firm where team members work in an open studio environment that fosters creativity and collaboration. Bob believes in exemplary customer service with a personal touch – he sketches by hand as part of his creative process and his clients frequently display his pen & paper drawings in their finished homes. In his free time, Bob enjoys boating, fishing and friendly competition with his bowling league and award-winning barbecue creations. Bob is licensed in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Florida and Rhode Island and he resides in Fairfield, Connecticut with his wife, Judi, and their two children.
David A. LaPierre
PartnerDavid A. LaPierre – David joined Cardello Architects in 2004 and quickly became an integral part of the success of RAC. He has been recognized with numerous awards and is widely published in leading national and regional publications. David earned an Associate degree in Engineering and a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts. He has a strong technical background and thorough understanding of construction detailing with an uncompromising eye toward design. No detail escapes Dave’s notice, making his expertise invaluable for onsite reviews during the construction process. Dave’s passion for great architecture, no matter the style, is rivaled only by his love of cars. Dave has owned and restored many “muscle cars” over the years. He has a love for the water, has lived in Nantucket and enjoys boating. Dave is a registered architect in Connecticut and Florida, a member of the American Institute of Architects Connecticut chapter, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and is involved with many local trade events. Dave and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Stratford, Connecticut.
Rachelle Roll
As the studio Design Director, “Ro” thinks outside the box in terms of both creative innovation and value engineering. Throughout the process, Ro is a fierce advocate for her clients who often tend to become lifelong friends. One example of this occurred after receiving and reviewing estimates on a project she was managing years ago. Ro determined that flipping the home’s footprint would save the client almost $1 million on excavation costs – undoubtedly showing her capability to think big on behalf of the client. When you combine her ingenuity with her quick wit and no-nonsense manner, it is no wonder that Ro has earned the firm’s unofficial title of “most likely to be invited for cocktails when the job is over.” Ro is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, where she received a Bachelor of Architecture degree, was the captain of the Women’s Varsity Basketball team and the recipient of the Livonia Chittendon Osborn Stevenson endowed scholarship. She joined Cardello Architects in 2011 and her specialties include: project management; design direction, creative thought, innovation, and conceptual design. Ro’s architectural design skills include AutoCAD, Vectorworks, Rhino, MAYA, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, hand illustrations and model making.
Deandra Nevin
Deandra began working at Cardello Architects in 2015 as an intern where she proved to be a fast learner with a tireless work ethic; since then she has taken on more responsibilities at the firm as part of the senior staff. Deandra’s diligence and exceptional organizational skills make her an invaluable team member who assists in all aspects of design production, drafting and project management. Her astute business acumen makes her a key contributor and decision maker regarding the firm’s marketing strategies, project scheduling, and staff management. Deandra attended Norwich University in Vermont where she graduated summa cum laude with a Master of Architecture at the top of her class. Deandra considers her time abroad in Berlin – a hub of modern design trends deeply rooted in architectural history – the highlight of both her educational and professional development. Deandra’s skills include Auto Cad, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, computer rendering, zoning research & compliance, public speaking, hand drafting, and construction detailing.
Rui Pedroso-Luis
Grandson of a developer and son of an architectural draftsman, it was obvious to Rui that architecture was in his future. Born and raised in Portugal, Rui earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in architecture in one of the top rated universities in Lisbon. Eager to explore different cities, not only for their history but for their broad and diverse architectural styles, Rui studied abroad in San Sebastian, Spain and traveled to different European cities during his last year of study, broadening his outlook on details and providing a worldly perspective. Upon completing his Masters, Rui ventured to New York City where he completed his internship and began working on high-end residential projects and collaborating with award winning interior designers and architects. He brings over 10 years of professional experience in high-end architecture, with a focus on residential and interior design. His multiple language skills provides him the opportunity to help clients from all over the American continent. Rui takes pride in making a client’s idea and dream into a reality by lending a creative lens and carefully crafting a beautiful but functional design. Rui joined the Cardello Architects team in the fall of 2020, bringing with him his diverse European architectural knowledge and his experience from highly recognized firms in New York City and Connecticut. Rui lives in Fairfield with his wife and two daughters and enjoys playing guitar, soccer and being outdoors.
Melissa Spoelstra
Melissa graduated from California Polytechnic State University with her bachelor’s in architecture in 2001. She also studied construction management and environmental sustainability, so her approach to every project is informed from multiple key perspectives. Melissa’s career has taken her from California to Connecticut, providing invaluable experience distinguishing east and west coast architecture. Melissa joined the Cardello team back in 2004, then went on to start her own company where she managed projects from start to finish once getting her architecture license in 2012. Cardello Architects welcomed Melissa back to engage her impressive skills including project management, drafting, graphic presentations, model making, AutoCAD, Photoshop, and Adobe In-Design. Melissa’s design integrity and “team player” attitude during any stage of a project is what makes her such a valuable member of our team. Melissa resides in Stratford, CT with her family.
Edward Napierkowski
Joining the Cardello Architects team in 2020, “Ed” brings a wide range of residential expertise to the table. He has a strong background working in a diverse array of styles, spanning the Conservatively Traditional to the Highly Modern homes of the Connecticut coast and beyond. Ed is a 2014 graduate of Roger Williams University School of Architecture, with a Master of Architecture. He brings his multiple degrees in architectural design to the Cardello roster along with his design experience on homes dotting the East Coast from Maine to Palm Beach, out to the wild west of Colorado and Wyoming, and internationally on several projects in the Caribbean. From minor-renovation work to multi-million-dollar custom homes, Ed is ready for any exciting design challenge! Having lived in Europe for a time and forever chasing the lasting impressions from which that imparted, Ed and his husband enjoy international travel whenever possible and embrace their blended cultures during family gatherings. Ed’s technical skills include AutoCAD drafting, SketchUp modeling, Photoshop rendering, InDesign layouts, Illustrator conversions, hand-drafting and sketching, model making, 3D printing, and laser-cut fabrications.
Amy Lungariello
Amy earned her Master of Architecture in 2017 from the Rhode Island School of Design. Early in her career, she worked as a freelance architect and graphic designer in Westchester County, NY. She later scored an internship-turned-project manager position at a prestigious firm in Manhattan, demonstrating her commitment to working her way up in the industry and taking every opportunity to grow. Her architectural skills and experience are top notch, and she is unafraid to approach challenges with bold solutions. Her bubbly personality and sense of humor have made her a joyful addition to the Cardello Architects office, not to mention her management skills which inspire her to pay meticulous attention to detail to ensure that nothing is overlooked. Amy has been an asset to our team since day one and we are lucky to have her. Amy lives in Oxford, CT where she is renovating her new home.
Sarah Finch
Sarah is the newest member of the Cardello team. She grew up along the Connecticut Shoreline and always admired beautiful, waterfront homes. This favorite pastime inspired a career in residential architecture. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, a Master of Architecture, and minors in Art & Architectural History and Historic Preservation from Roger Williams University, School of Architecture, Art & Historic Preservation. Sarah’s time studying abroad in Florence gave her a keen appreciation for balancing historic structures with contemporary needs and aesthetics. She brings nearly ten years of residential architecture experience to the team and has additional experience in construction management and marketing.
Patricia Swain
After a successful career managing small start-ups and medium-sized establishments, Trish joined the Cardello team in 2012 and now oversees all general company operations. As an adept multi-tasker, Trish assists the architectural team with client correspondence, proposals, fee analysis, company expenses, print marketing, and all other administrative office needs. Trish grew up in Fairfield and earned a bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College. After graduation, Trish traveled with a nationally ranked Ultimate Frisbee team from Washington DC, before settling back in Connecticut. Shortly after joining Cardello Architects, Trish was elected to the City Council in Bridgeport, where she served for two years. In 2015 she joined the Board of Directors of the Klein Memorial Auditorium Foundation, and has been president since 2017, working toward its growth and positive impact on Bridgeport and the surrounding community. Trish enjoys an active social life in the city she is tirelessly working to help rebound.
Julian Saria
Julian graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2020 with a Bachelor of English. There he was a key coordinator and manager of the implementation and outreach of SCSU’s sustainability programs. He enjoyed seeing excess food donated to local soup kitchens, in the thousands of pounds per year. Julian joined the Cardello team in 2022 where he helps the team at Cardello with any administrative needs they may have in addition to his role as marketing coordinator. As a lover of the written word, he’s always been passionate about the flow of the English language. He’s a passionate, community driven individual who loves all sorts of activities. You may find him floating in the Long Island Sound on a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard — or at a local card shop. Julian lives in New Haven, CT and will discuss pizza with you any time.