The DIG Architecture team recently gathered with clients and collaborative partners to celebrate the firm’s 20th anniversary, where it announced its new brand identity and narrative. — Courtesy: DIG Architecture
By Joshua Burd
The practice long known as DIGroup Architecture is marking its 20th anniversary with a new brand identity, one that reflects the evolution of its client base and geographic presence.
Now known as DIG Architecture, the New Brunswick-based firm joined clients, collaborative partners and team members last month to celebrate the dual milestones and reflect on a journey that began with school projects in New Jersey’s underserved communities. Its platform has since grown to include other asset classes that are essential to the public interest, informing a rebrand that the company said also reflects its energy, confidence and unapologetic directness.
That includes a new tagline — “We are DIG Architecture. And we are Groundbreaking.” — and a new icon of a shovel created with a prominent, stylized D-shaped handle at the top, with the I as the column and the G forming the actual shovel blade at the base.
“At DIG Architecture, we have always been inspired by the world around us and the people we serve,” said Jeff Venezia, CEO and co-founding principal. “This rebrand is a celebration of our past and a bold vision for our future. We are groundbreakers who share possibility through design, creating opportunities out of steel and concrete to build futures, communities and hope.”
DIG began as NJK–12 Architects, an unlikely alliance of five competing firms formed to support New Jersey’s Abbott District school improvement campaign, according to a news release. The success of that collaboration ultimately inspired four of the firms to unite as Design Ideas Group Architecture, creating a practice that it said was grounded in collaboration, innovation and community impact.
The firm expanded that mission in its early years through transformative K-12 projects, entry into the design-build arena and community-focused initiatives ranging from local school partnerships to post-earthquake rebuilding efforts in Haiti, the news release said. The launch of its in-house graphic design studio further strengthened its integrated design approach and laid the groundwork for what would become New Jersey’s largest minority-owned business enterprise architectural firm.
In the meantime, DIG Architecture has cast a wider net from K-12 school specialization, leading to its work in higher education, senior living, health care, civic and community spaces and airports. It also has expanded its geographic presence and design portfolio with offices in and assignments across Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley and New York City.
“We live at the intersection of purpose-built design and innovation,” said Vince Myers, president and co-founding principal. “Every project we touch is a transformation; every space we design is a chance to change a life. This new identity empowers our team to continue using creative, uplifting design to solve complex challenges for our diverse communities. We’re always ready to ‘DIG in’ so to speak.”
The firm noted that it continues to be a leader in the PK-12 and higher education, health care, senior living, civic and aviation sectors, serving as a community anchor and self-described “civic diplomat” for underserved populations. But, with the rebrand, it now boasts a new visual identity, an updated digital presence and a renewed commitment to mentorship and diversity initiatives that broaden access to the AEC profession for those who have long been underrepresented.
“We are more than architects; we are builders of connections,” said Rich Alderiso, a fellow co-founding principal and chief operating officer. “Our 20th anniversary is the perfect moment to roll up our sleeves and define what the next 20 years will look like. We are entering this next chapter with a professional confidence and a creative energy that is truly groundbreaking.”
