Mr. Buccalo's (pronounced ˈbuk-ka-lōw ) depth of experience as a lead designer and project architect for many national and international firms reflects the credibility of his abilities. Chief Designer at Philip Johnson John Burgee Architects, Masters of Architecture recipient from Harvard University, project architect for Studio Einauldi in Rome, Mr. Buccalo never fails to deliver the right solution, on budget, well planned and executed quickly every time, for Owners and many other architects and developers.
 Nicholas Buccalo is pictured on the far right.
Think about it, architects turn to him for answers, like Gwathmey Siegel Associates and Robert A.M. Stern to name a couple, and that is part of what makes SimpleTwig Rendering special, that our clients get an extra architect to review their design from a fresh perspective (so to speak), to ensure that what they see will be convincing.
Charles Gwathmey stated regarding Mr. Buccalo's work on the Carnegie Hall Restoration:
- "Mr. Buccalo delivered such well executed and accurate drawings of Carnegie Hall that we were able to hand them directly to the manufacturer for production, which resulted in a significant savings of time, money and effort."
Philip Johnson said of Mr. Buccalo's work:
- "Mr. Buccalo has a beautiful command of the medium of architecture and illustration."
History
As a child of 9, Mr. Buccalo knew he wanted to become an architect . As his first true adventure in architecture, he set out to discover those hidden rooms of his 3rd grade elementary school by drawing plans of the building showing the spaces he knew, in order to determine the size and configuration of the rooms he couldn't see, like the teacher's lounge, the principals office, etc. Along with the influence his grandfather Nicholas Joel Yoder, an Amish master carpenter and home builder had on him, his other grandparents also played and influencial part in his drive to succeed. His grandmother, Althea Jones Buccalo was an early female professional doctor, his other grandfather was the first certified accountant in the State of Ohio, and his parents, James Norman Buccalo founded Buccalo Catering and Carolee Yoder a warm and loving home maker like her mother, Emma Yahn Yoder, all influenced him with their kindness, williness to do the right thing, compassion and drive.
In 1993, Mr. Buccalo, founded NJBAarchitecture and The Drawing Studio, renaming them to SimpleTwig Architecture and SimpleTwig Rendering in 2010 to reflect a new spirit and drive. His new companies specialized in Architecture, Architectural Design and Rendering. Licensed as an Architect in 1989 while working for Philip Johnson & John Burgee Architects, he worked as their principal designer for new national and international projects coming into the office. Past experiences here and at other offices include Lincoln Center, Wexner Center, Carnegie Hall, Victory Theatre, Brisbane Tower, MacArthur Center, Prague Center, and many others. Recent projects under the flagship of NJBAarchitecture includes the South Bend Regional Art Museum, Shamasan Citedel in Saudi Arabia and many mixed use and academic buildings in Shanghai and Beijing, China.
NCARB Certified: http://www.ncarb.com/
Licensed in New York & Massachusetts
Masters of Architecture, Harvard University
For his Architectural Renderering division, its purpose is to provide beautiful renderings that will help get projects built. In this respect, Mr. Buccalo has always had a positive relationships with Architects and Developers, never compromizing the quality of his work which reflects his own integrety and honest nature.
Current
Principal
SimpleTwig Rendering, aka The Drawing Studio
(Architecture & Planning industry)
May 1993 — Present
Established in 1993, The Drawing Studio is devoted to making beautiful Architectural Illustrations. Mr. Buccalo understands Architecture and Art (received a minor degree in Art History) and applies the best positive attitude upon each rendering to produce the finest results. Making people's dreams a reality gives him the most satisfaction, whether it is for a Developer, Owner or Architect.
SimpleTwig Rendering strives to create beautiful, clear, clean and honest renderings, in order to get building built.
Principal
SimpleTwig Architecture, aka NJBAarchitects
(Architecture & Planning industry)
June 1993 — Present
SimpleTwig Architecture provides full Architectural services for Residential, Retail, Commercial, Office and Mixed-Use Projects around the world.
Mr. Buccalo's expertise is in design and has applied this to a variety of projects ranging from small renovations to multi-billion dollar mixed use urban developments. He understands people, design and architecture and applies only the best principals to every project.
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It is his knowledge as an Architect that gives him a special appreciation of what Architects are looking for in their renderings. Understanding exactly what it takes to get a project actually built is fundamental to being a successful illustrator.
Volunteer
Coach
Brooklyn Youth Association
(Volunteer)
May 2005 — Present
Beyond introducing children to the joys of softball and basketball, the Brooklyn Youth Association's prime directive is to build self-esteem and confidence in our young population, to encourage them to stay with school and improve their future. It is a positive program, founded by Fredrick Fulford, a native Brooklynite, he set out to change kids lives for the better, some 25 years ago. Today Fred is still very active and recently his son, a star basketball player has started coaching, bringing along with him some of his teammates. SimpleTwig (Nicholas Buccalo) is the creator and sponsor of their website until they can obtain their own domain: http://www.simpletwig.com/bya.html
Founder
HunterBean Youth Organization
(Philanthropy)
May 2008 — Present
Primary objective is to provide underprivileged youths and young adults with alternative activities centered around computer technology to give them the tools they'll need to succeed in todays world. Eventually this program will provide community centers situated in low income neighborhoods, thus bridging the gap to technology for more people.
President
New York Society of Renderers, Inc.
(Architectural Illustration industry)
2000 — 2004 (4 years )
As President of the New York Society of Renderers, Inc., a society of Architectural Illustrators, Mr. Buccalo accomplished many new initiatives including: emphasizing the society as part of a professional organization, highlighting many individual members, helping those members who needed help, production of the NYSR Portfolio, public out-reach programs, database of information for illustrators, publication of the NYSR Newsletter, Incorporation as a Not-for-Profit organization, development and coordination of 2 society websites and much more.
Website: http://www.nysr.com
Other Work Experience
Project Designer
Hardy Holtzman Pfeiffer Associates
(Architecture & Planning industry)
December 1992 — May 1993 (6 months)
Designer and consultant coordinator for the 42nd Street New Victory Theater in Times Square, NYC.
Website: Pfeiffer Associates; Website: h3hc |
Architect Hugh Hardy, FAIA
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Designer with Partner Jeff Sydness
Swanke Hayden Connell Architects
(Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Architecture & Planning industry)
April 1992 — December 1992 (9 months)
Working under partner Jeff Sydness with SHCA before seeking other opportunities. Jeff Sydness later started his own firm Sydness Architects, PC which I periodically consult with on a variety of projects.
Website: Sydness Architects. Website: Swanke Hayden Connell Architects.
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Architect K. Jeffries Sydness, AIA
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Principal Project Designer & Architect
Philip Johnson and John Burgee Architects
(Architecture & Planning industry)
October 1988 — April 1992 (3 years 7 months)
As the principal Project Designer for the firm, Mr. Buccalo was given the opportunity to design for many projects around the world including Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall (NYC), America's Exposition Pavilion (NYC), Brisbane Tower (Australia), Check Point Charlie Business Center (Berlin), Prague Center Master Plan, Boyd Medical Center (Houston), Figeroa Office Tower (Los Angeles), Capitol Mall Office & Hotel Tower Complex (Sacramento), Takashimaya on 5th Avenue (NYC) and others including private collaborations with both Philip Johnson and John Burgee. In the case of the Americans Exposition Pavilion and Avery Fisher Hall, Mr. Buccalo was also the Project Manager and Project Architect.
Website: Philip Johnson Alan Ritchie Architects |
Partners John Burgee & Philip Johnson
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Project Architect & Designer
Studio Einauldi
(Architecture & Planning industry)
May 1988 — October 1988 (6 months)
Studio Einauldi is a well known firm in Rome, Italy, known for restoration and re-use projects in many historic sites and buildings in the Mediterranean Sea area. Worked as Project Architect for Shamasan Citadel Cultural Center in Saudi Arabia and over-sight of Abha Cultural Center project.
Bio: Robert Einaudi at Cornell University
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Architect Roberto Einaudi
Studio Einaudi S.r.l.
Studio Architettura
V. Margutta, 33
00187 Roma, Italy; Tel.: (+39) 063201445
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Project Architect & Designer
Huygens DiMella Schaffer Architects
(Architecture & Planning industry)
1987 — 1988 (1 year )
Co-Designer for Northwoods Office Tower and Project Manager and Administration experience on many other projects including Digital Equipment Corp., Thirwood Place Elderly Housing Complex and the Ipswich Country Club & Golf Resort.
Website: DiMella Schaffer Associates
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Architect Frank DiMella |
Project Designer
Goody Clancy Associates
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Architecture & Planning industry)
1986 — 1987 (1 year )
Designer during the schematic and preliminary phases for Tent City Residential Complex in Boston, Massachusetts. A unique opprotunity to stongly influence the development of this major and controvercial residential project, Mr. Buccalo's design creates a soft curve on the monumental side of the site, while offering lower townhouse like buildings on the residential side of the site. Laying out the massing, units, parking, and general character including placements of windows, unit layouts, circulation, inner court and drive, suggesting the community center and retail aspects of the project, it perfectly integrates itself within the transitional area near Copley Square and is now called home to hundreds of tenants.
Website: Goody Clancy
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Architect Joan Goody
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Project Designer
Cory Associates
(Architecture & Planning industry)
1985 — 1986 (1 year )
Architect Susan Cory had just established her firm and selected Mr. Buccalo to help her develop the design of a large Mixed Use project in New Jersey. The project was so large it included a mono-rail system. Being Ms. Cory's first major project, it helped launch her architectural career.
Website: Cory Associates
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Architect Susan Cory |
Project Designer
Trott and Bean Architects
(Architecture & Planning industry)
1980 — 1984 (4 years )
Worked on a variety of projects including some residential design, shopping centers, church additions, office buildings. Also was part of team who collaborated with Peter Eisenman Architects on the Wexner Center for the Arts at OSU.
Trott & Bean Architects was the first architectural office Mr. Buccalo found employment at, just 1 year into architectural school at Ohio State University. Already they recognized Mr. Buccalo's talent and set him loose on illustrations and many small design projects, including several house designs for one of their on going clients at the Jack Nicholas Golf Course.
Mr. Buccalo enjoyed many assignements from the 4 partners, but especially enjoyed the spirit of the principal design partner Richard Trott who encouraged Mr. Buccalo to experiment with a variety of design concepts just so he could take a look. That was a reflection of his openness to new ideas and a willingness to adapt to them. Always encouraging, he readily offered extra work to help Mr. Buccalo pay his way through his years at Harvard University. In fact, while Mr. Buccalo was working for Ms. Cory, Mr. Trott had stopped by the GSD at Harvard with his daughter and they had a moment to catch up on their past association.
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Architect Richard W. Trott, FAIA
A unique office, Mr. Buccalo was to learn later, Trott & Bean Architects had a very well organized firm, where it was essentially divided into 2 main sections, design and production. Centered between these two divisions was the spec department which Trott & Bean took very serious, well, they took all aspects of their firm serious without acting like they were serious. What they were was effecient, producing the best architecture one could hope for and doing so effectively. There's was no mistake on my part that I had landed myself into a perfect firm to set off my career and base of knowledge.. |
Chef
Antonio's Gourmet Rest. and Inn on the Lane Rest.
(Restaurant industry)
1978 — 1980 (2 years )
Helping Mr. Buccalo finance his college education, these two restaurants, Antonio's Gourmet Italian Restaurant and Inn on the Lane, allowed him to fully appreciate the food service business. The most famous meal he prepared was for OSU Coach 'Woody' Hayes who graciously sent his compliments 'to the chef'. Both restaurants offered high end, high quality dining experience.
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What's better than preparing dinner for Woody Hayes? The answer is having him send his compliments back to the chef, when you're the chef.
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Chef
Buccalo Catering, Inc.
(Restaurant industry)
1969 — 1978 (9 years )
A family catering business, Mr. Buccalo grew up learning in this fast passed business where delivery on time, high quality and attitude made all the difference. This experience, starting when he was 9 years old, gave Mr. Buccalo his diligent work ethic and coolness under pressure.
Certainly the variety of events also had an influence on Mr. Buccalo, as he prepared food for banquets, luncheons, dinners, Hawaiian Luau's, breakfasts, picnics, meetings, events and all sorts of social gatherings. Most events numbering in the hundreds of people, it was common to have at least one event a week in the thousands, and of course there were 30+ parties each week continuous throughout the year. This type of business, run by just 12 main people, with extras for serving, meant that Mr. Buccalo's role in the success of the business was relevant. That attitude, that each employee can impact the success of a business, has carried with him his entire career. |
Caterer and Father James N. Buccalo, Jr. here holding 2 trays of stuffing, with hundreds more behind him in preparation of Thanksgiving dinner for 8000 Daytonians, as was done every year. |
Education
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
MA , Architecture , 1983 — 1986
Part of the Graduate School of Design's (GSD) Advance Placement Program, I received my Master's of Architecture in 1986, was awarded a research grant from the Graham Foundation, won an inter-school competition, was published 2 of a possible 5 times in the GSD News, Proctor of the GSD summer program, and had a private exhibition of my work.
Activities and Societies:
Graham Foundation Recipient, Photography, Oil Painting, Wood Working
 
The Ohio State University
BS Arch , Architecture , 1979 — 1983
Received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the OSU School of Engineering and a Minor in Art History. Participated briefly in OSU's Cross Country program and the OSU Marching Band.
Activities and Societies:
Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Minor of Art History
Sinclair Community College
NA , Core Classes , 1979 — 1979
 
Cumberland College
NA , Core Classes , 1978 — 1979
Set in the mountains of Cumberland, I had a wonderful experience at Cumberland as part of the CC Cross-Country team and as 1st Trombone in the CC Orchestra. During the Turkey Day race in Williamsburg, I placed 2nd and won a Turkey!
Activities and Societies:
Cumberland College Orchestra, CC Cross Country Team.
 
Bellbrook High School; United States Symphony Orchestra; NCR Symphony Orchestra; Marching, Concert, Pep and Jazz Bands; 'Last Fair Deal' rock band; Varsity Cross-Country and Varsity Track 4 years.
Additional Information
Nicholas Buccalo other Interests include:
Music Composition, Art, Theory, Architecture, Technology, Innovation, Youth Initiatives, Pro-Bono work for an international Orphans Program and other worthy causes.
Groups
NCARB, Harvard NYC, NYSR. ASAI, Wide World Design, Post.Harvard, MyarchN Org., Sustainable Urban Development Org., NY Historical Society, HarvardGSD, Bellbrook Alumni Community, Additions, Set In Stone Egyptian Studies and WikiVersity Project.
Past Memberships: ASAI, MOMA, Asia Society, The Met.
Honors
Several Awards of Excellence for Architecture In Perspective from the ASAI, Cabrini Green Competition Honors, Honors in many other smaller competitions. Many publications including Archeology Magazine and Nest Magazine. Graham Foundation Recipient, Harvard University Design Competition Winner, twice featured Architect in GSD News. Projects featured on The McNeil-Leher Newshour and others.
Copyright Notice
This resume, bio and all contents of this website are copyright 2010 and beyond by Nicholas Buccalo and may not be reproduced without written permission. Due to some companies duplicating our information verbatim for their own use, SimpleTwig, NJBArchitects, The Drawing Studio and all other associations related to Nicholas Buccalo will sue all individuals AND companies who engage in this type of practice without warning and seek full compensation to the full extent of all revenue you gained while our work was represented as your own.
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