Our Team
Our concentration is in high quality projects in all fields of residential, hospitality, institutional and commercial work with services that include design for renovation, restoration, and new structures, as well as site planning, master planning, interior architecture, and hard landscape design.
Our design approach respects the integrity of both the built and natural contexts that make every building site unique. The partnership brings to each project not only a thorough knowledge and understanding of architectural precedent, but fresh and inventive design solutions that are both appropriate to a project’s context and responsive to the individual clients’ needs and aspirations in all its details.
Principals
Mr. Disston, who joined the partnership in 1994, manages the firm, overseeing projects of all types: residential, clubs, hospitality and commercial. Mr. Disston received his Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University’s School of Architecture in 1982. He attended the Syracuse Program of Architecture in Florence and the Wave Hill Center for Environmental Studies in New York. He holds architectural registration licenses in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Florida and is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art and the USGBC.
Hobbies: Artist, Adventurer
Joshua, a lifelong Resident of Long Island, became a principal of Austin Patterson Disston Architects in 2020. His entire professional career has been spent with Austin Patterson Disston Architects under the direct tutelage of Stuart L. Disston after earning his undergraduate degree from the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning in 2003. Growing up in the Hamptons gave Joshua a look into a world of the Shingle Style and Agrarian Architectural design. His love affair of Mid-Century Modern architecture, art and furniture allowed him to adapt traditional sensibilities through a multitude of design aesthetics. Joshua’s design philosophy stems from the notion that a building should never disregard its environment. Joshua is an Artist, Musician and most importantly a loving Father and Husband.
“We shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us.” – Winston Churchill
Mr. Austin is a founding partner of the firm where he oversees residential and institutional projects. He received his Masters of Architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design in 1960; he also received his undergraduate degree from Harvard. He is licensed to practice architecture in Connecticut and has NCARB certification. Mr. Austin is a past Director of the AIA/CT, a founder and past President of the Bridgeport Architecture Conservancy, a Fellow of the Morgan Library and a Trustee of the Discovery Museum. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.
Mr. Patterson, one of the firm’s founding partners, oversees projects of all types: residential, hospitality, clubs and commercial. Mr. Patterson received his Masters of Architecture from the Yale School of Architecture in 1977 where he was awarded the prestigious Parsons Medal of Design. He received his undergraduate degree from Goddard College in 1974 and also completed the school’s innovative Design Construction Program. He is licensed to practice architecture in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maine and Florida and has NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) certification. Mr. Patterson has served on Connecticut’s Antiquarian and Landmarks Society board and is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.
Team
Guy joined Austin Patterson Disston Architects in 1997 serving as a Project Architect on residential, hospitality and commercial projects. In 1981, he received his Bachelor of Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design where he also received his Bachelor of Fine Arts. He is the Chair of the City of Bridgeport Historic District Commission, has Connecticut certification and is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.
A native of Hungary, Gabriella Albini joined the firm in 1999 and has worked as a Project Architect on various residential, institutional and commercial projects. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree and focused on historical architecture from Szent Istva’n University, Ybl Miklo’s Faculty of Architecture in Budapest, Hungary. She worked on the renovation of the Buda Castle District in Budapest, which today is a World Heritage Site. Gabriella enjoys applying this experience in creative ways to meet the needs of our clients. She is an Associate member of the American Institute of Architects as well as the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.
In her free time Gabriella enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and ballroom dancing.
“I am as much interested in the smallest details as in the whole structure.” – Marcel Breuer
Theresa joined the firm in 2010 after receiving her Bachelor of Architecture with a concentration in furniture design from the University of Notre Dame. Interested in architecture for as long as she can remember, Theresa’s portfolio is highlighted by homes that all possess their own unique style. Her keen attention to detail shines through as she develops floor plans as one might solve a puzzle.
Theresa enjoys spending as much time as she can outside, whether it be exploring a new city on foot, hiking through nature, or running her favorite routes.
A native of Eastern Long Island, Tim earned his Master of Architecture degree from Roger Williams University a bit longer ago than he would care to admit. With over 15 years of experience in the field, Tim’s design philosophy strives to balance inspirations from the natural environment and the rich architectural heritage of the local area with a strong desire to meet the needs of our clients in creative ways.
When not in the office, Tim can usually be found out in his garden or walking on the beach.
“Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness” – Frank Gehry
Tiffany is a residential designer specializing in traditional architecture. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 2002, she combined her passion for academia and architecture, teaching classes and coordinating academic programs for the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. In 2009, she went to Belgium to be a part of the international team at Axel Vervoordt. Tiffany has based her career in New York City & Philadelphia and more recently ran her own firm in California, assisting interior designers and architects with residential drafting and design.
In her free time, Tiffany enjoys running and cycling. She lives in Hamden, CT with her husband, Chris, and their dogs.
An early interest in Fine Arts and later carpentry eventually led Peter to study Architecture at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn where he received the Alpha Rho Chi Medal for leadership, service and merit.
Peter is experienced in designing, managing and building projects for residential, hospitality, corporate and public institutions. He has a strong interest in working collaboratively to develop spaces that will connect the end user to the site in a meaningful way.
David has worked in high-end residential architecture and interior architecture his entire career. After graduating from Carleton University in Ottawa Canada with a Bachelor of Architecture degree, he worked several years in New York City for a number of prominent design firms. Most recently he ran his own small design office in the New York area while also consulting for larger firms. He is also a registered Interior Designer in the state of NY. He enjoys working in modern architectural design and its mix with more traditional aesthetics.
His other career outside of the office is as a local historian and author.
A childhood spent using job sites as jungle gyms and an adulthood with over a decade of experience has left Chris willing and able to execute anything you want. From start to finish of the design/build process, Chris provides the hands–on involvement to ensure the project meets your needs.
Claire grew up in Silver Lake, Ohio and moved to Connecticut after graduating from the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a Bachelor of Architecture with a concentration in furniture design. Claire has been interested in art from a young age and hopes to contribute an artistic eye to help bring our clients’ visions to life. In her free time, Claire enjoys dancing, painting and exploring new places.
Glenn is a Connecticut native who joined the firm in 2023. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design with Fine Arts concentration from the University of New Haven and a Master of Architecture degree from the NJIT School of Architecture. He started his career in the commercial and institutional sector, assisting with the design of buildings in the U.S. and abroad. After several years, he found himself drawn to the more personal nature of residential design. He has spent the past twenty years working for several high-end residential firms in New Haven and Fairfield counties.
Outside of the office, Glenn is an avid jogger and enjoys discovering new restaurants whenever the opportunity arises.
Originally from Central Connecticut, Chris earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Architecture from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA. Prior to joining APD, he worked with firms in the New Haven area, focusing primarily on single family residential, high density residential and public housing projects.
APD is pleased to welcome Kristen to the team!
Kate grew up in Connecticut and started her professional career working in finance for a large corporation. She then moved on to the finance, HR and office management responsibilities for a small publishing company before joining Austin Patterson Disston Architects in 2012. In addition to managing the day-to-day finances for APD, Kate balances many hats including human resources, contract preparation, in-house IT support as well as general office management.
Outside of the office, when not fixing up a house with her husband, Kate enjoys spending time in Maine, biking, kayaking and spending time with her family.
“Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway” Mary Kay Ash.
