gskarmeas@pdparchitects.com
p 215.842.3388 x102
George C. skarmeas, PhD, Faia, fapt, ncarb, aicp
George C. Skarmeas joined PDP as Partner and Design Director in June 2010, following several collaborations with Dominique Hawkins over the previous fifteen years. Prior to joining PDP, Dr. Skarmeas was the Studio Director of VITETTA's Preservation Studio (1986-1996) and Founding Director / Planning & Design Principal of the Preservation Design Studio at HillierARCHITECTURE (now RMJM). While at RMJM/Hillier, George was the Design Principal and leader of planning and design teams responsible for the restoration of several nationally significant historic landmarks and sites, including the US Supreme Court Building; Thomas Jefferson's Virginia Capitol; the Cincinnati Museum Center at the Cincinnati Union Terminal and the West Virginia Capitol Complex.
His work has been recognized with over 35 national, regional, state and local preservation and design awards and has been featured in virtually all professional publications, as well as national media, including the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. A leader in sustainable planning and design, his portfolio includes the restoration of President Lincoln's Cottage and the Visitor Education Center, a project that received LEED Gold certification and was featured by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a model project for combining sustainability and historic preservation. A researcher, author and educator, George has served as a guest lecturer, visiting critic and faculty at the University of Pennsylvania, Ball State University, Tulane University, University of Maryland, Louisiana State University, the California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo), and the University of Texas San Antonio.
In 2010, George was elected Chair of the US National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (US / ICOMOS) and was appointed Commissioner on the US Commission of UNESCO, dealing with matters of World Heritage, both within the US and internationally.
His philosophy can be summarized in a simple sentence: "the building and the site will always give us the right answers to develop sensitive, sensible and sustainable solutions."