By Joshua Burd
DIGroup Architecture has announced four recent promotions on its New Brunswick-based team of designers.
Swarupa Samant, a veteran of the school construction industry, has risen to the role of associate principal after joining the firm in 2014. Meantime, the practice has promoted Kelli Glasgow, Scott Hoffman and Jaime Masler Beach to associate.
“These individuals continue to deliver exceptional levels of service to our clients, and actively contribute to the strategic direction, growth and success of the firm,” DIGroup CEO Jeff Venezia said.
In a news release, the firm said Swarupa has managed urban design-build school projects in New Jersey exceeding $200 million in construction costs, including some of its largest and most complex assignments. DIGroup touted her commitment to sustainable, sensible design, noting that she attained a silver rating on the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design scale for both the $133 million Camden High School and the $45 million Rose M. Lopez Elementary School in Perth Amboy, as well as LEED gold certification for the $32 million School #16 in Paterson.
Swarupa also managed the completion of Dina’s Dwellings, an award-winning supportive housing project for survivors of domestic violence, in her hometown of New Brunswick. With more than 25 years of design experience in both the U.S. and India, she mentors DIGroup’s emerging young architects and serves on multiple committees, offering her practical experience to support and guide the company’s workflows.
Glasgow, meantime, turned to architecture as a second career after achieving her master’s degree from New Jersey Institute of Technology, pivoting from the field of retail management, according to a news release. Since joining DIGroup in 2014, she has developed a diversified body of work, leading projects in the academic, civic and corporate market sectors.
Most notably, she led the completion of the UNITI Cultural Center at Stony Brook University, a welcoming and inclusive space for students to come together to celebrate diversity, the firm said, calling it a collaborative effort involving the architecture, interior design and graphic design studios. Glasgow also chairs DIG’s human resources committee, assisting in developing company policy, standards and procedures and organizing professional learning sessions and employee appreciation events.
“Kelli leads the firm’s most complex and challenging projects,” the firm wrote in a recent announcement. “Her ability to develop and expand relationships with clients throughout both design and construction phases produces a continuous stream of repeat business. Her commitment to the firm and people within the firm is evident and valued.”
Hoffman joined the practice in 2009 after 12 years with Hillier Architecture, the news release said. While he is largely focused on the design of health and wellness facilities for independent, assisted and memory care residences for senior living clientele, his efforts are also directed toward urban design.
To that end, Hoffman recently designed the new Clinton Hill Early Childhood Learning Center, which transformed a long-vacant site in Newark’s South Ward into a vibrant and welcoming childcare and educational facility for the community and its families.
“He has garnered extensive knowledge and experience within senior living, academic, health care and civic sectors during his career,” DIG said. “His passion for design is infectious and clients appreciate his patience and ability to guide them through the entire process.”
Masler, for her part, has been with the firm for a decade, managing and designing projects for nonprofit clients and health-based universities. Those assignments include Dina’s Dwellings, three expansion projects for the Jewish Community Housing Corporation’s Lester Senior Housing Community, a new health sciences program at St. Elizabeth University and clinical suites at Rutgers University.
She is also involved in recruiting new hires and participates in DIG’s human resources and professional development committees.
“She has achieved great success as both an architect and generator of new business for the firm,” DIG wrote. “She delights in being a problem solver and is appreciated for her forward-thinking approach, keen observations and insights that enhance the experience of the built environment often beyond the immediate need of a project. Her continuous cultivation of relationships has helped the firm gain traction in the industry.”
