About Us

Our Approach

BLT Architects – a Perkins Eastman Studio is an integrated architecture and interior design firm with expertise in mixed-use, multi–family residential, hospitality, office, resort, gaming, office, higher education and transit-based projects.

We create environments that satisfy the diverse needs of clients and users: functional and financial, aesthetic and emotional, immediate and strategic.
We respond to context. We work with what exists to create a greater whole, through similarity or contrast.
We advance the goals of a socially, economically and technologically sustainable world.

Our Story

The Foundation
Founded as boutique firm, Bower & Fradley paired iconic design and exemplary management. The firm won architectural accolades for institutional and educational commissions including International House, Market Street East and the Baltimore Museum of Art.
Entry to Residential & Commercial
Renamed Bower Lewis Thrower /Architects, the firm expanded its expertise into new sectors including innumerable adaptive re- use projects throughout the eastern United States and the passage to new urbanism, Princeton Forrestal Village.
Teamwork & Hospitality
Renamed again as BLT Architects, we enjoyed marked growth across all segments, in part through strategic alliances, harnessing specialized expertise as at the Smeal College of Business and Cira Centre. The firm entered the hospitality market with several Marriott’s and the iconic Loews PSFS, ultimately growing internal capabilities for multi-billion dollar destination resorts.
Pillar of an International Firm
BLT Architects now practices as a specialty studio of Perkins Eastman, a top-10, internationally recognized architecture firm. Our expertise in multi-family, mixed-use, hospitality, resort, gaming, higher-education, transit, and infrastructure projects is extended throughout PE studios, while PE’s expertise in ten other practice areas is coupled with BLTa’s regional capabilities.

Our People

We have a diverse staff of talented professionals, who have come to us from around the world, are led by the following leadership team.

Dan Bedesem, AIA, LEED AP
Associate
Stephanie Beirne, AIA, LEED GA
Associate
Nick T. Brown, AIA
Associate
Brian Johnson, AIA
Associate
Kyle A. Kernozek, AIA, LEED AP
Associate Principal
Milton Lau, AIA
Senior Associate
Robert Lubas, AIA
Associate
Barry McIntyre, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Associate
Michael L. Prifti, FAIA
Managing Principal
Eric M. Rahe, AIA, LEED AP
Principal
Zoe Sheaffer,AIA
Associate
David M. Smallets, AIA, LEED AP
Associate Principal
Karen A. Soni, NCIDQ
Associate
Nate Sunderhaus, AIA
Senior Associate
Alexandra Wilson, AIA, LEED GA
Associate

Awards

2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011

2021 AIA Philadelphia Young Architect Award

Awarded to BLTa Associate Nate Sunderhaus, RA

Casino Player Awards

Live! Philadelphia

Building Design + Construction Silver Reconstruction Award

Stephen Girard Building | Canopy by Hilton

Preservation Alliance Achievement Award

Grand Jury Award Winners

Stephen Girard Building | Canopy by Hilton
One City | 1401 Arch Street
The Bourse | Food Hall

AIA Philadelphia

Stephen Girard Building | Canopy by Hilton
One City | 1401 Arch Street

Hospitality Design

Best Hotel Openings of 2020

Stephen Girard Building | Canopy by Hilton

GBCA: Best Historic Preservation Project

One City | 1401 Arch Street

Hospitality Awards in Metal Construction News

Live! Casino and Hotel Philadelphia

Building Design + Construction Top 155 Architecture Firms

BLTa placed 108 out of 155

Retrofit Metamorphosis Awards

The Bourse - Honorable Mention, Outstanding work in retrofitting commercial, industrial, industrial and institutional buildings

AIA Philadelphia 2020 Design Awards

Awarded by AIA Philadelphia for the excellence in the architectural design of The Bourse

AIA Pennsylvania 2020 EPiC Firms

BLT Architects was recognized for its dedication to fostering emerging professionals during 2020

AIA Philadelphia Honor Award Built Category

Awarded by AIA Philadelphia for the excellence in the architectural design of FMC Tower at Cira Centre South

2019 50 Year Timeless Award

Awarded by AIA Pennsylvania for the PSFS Building, "Which has endured the test of time and still resonates with the design community and the public."

Silver Medal for Architectural Excellence

Awarded by AIA Pennsylvania for the historic preservation of The Bourse

MHN The Excellence Awards

Multi-Housing News awarded Lincoln Square the Bronze Award in Best Development & Design: Mixed Use

PA Emerging Professionals Award

Awarded by AIA Pennsylvania as one of the 2018 PA EPiC Firms

ICAA Trumbauer Award

Awarded by ICAA for the Lincoln Ballroom at the Union League for Interior Design of a Single Room

Philly's Best New Building of 2018

Awarded by popular vote via Curbed Philadelphia for Lincoln Square

Best Architecture, Urban Design, and Public Art of 2018

Awarded by Hidden City Philadelphia for East Market with Best New Urban Space

Willard G. “Bill” Rouse III Awards for Excellence Winner

Awarded by ULI Philadelphia for the FMC Tower at Cira Centre South

Philament Award

Awarded by the Illuminating Engineering Society's Philadelphia Section for The Logan Hotel

PNC Opportunity for All Award

Awarded by 10 Thousand Friends of Pennsylvania for The Dana and David Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships

Community Transportation Excellence Award

Awarded by 10 Thousand Friends of Pennsylvania for multiple transportation projects including 15th Street Station

Top Deals of 2016

Awarded by Philadelphia Business Journal for The Founders Collection

IDP Outstanding Firm Award

Awarded by the NCARB/AIA Internship Advisory Committee

Willard G. “Bill” Rouse III Award for Excellence 2016

Awarded by ULI Philadelphia for 3737 Chestnut

Building Team Awards 2016 Honorable Mention

Awarded by Building Design and Construction for 3737 Chestnut

Philadelphia Business Journal Book of Lists #6

Awarded by the Philadelphia Business Journal

Best Real Estate Deals of 2015 Finalist

Awarded by the Philadelphia Business Journal for 3737 Chestnut, FMC Tower at Cira Centre South and Marketplace Design Center at 34 S 11th Street

NEWH Top ID Hospitality Firm

Awarded by NEWH

Number 213 - Top Architectural Firms

Awarded by Architectural Record

IDP Outstanding Firm Award

Awarded by the NCARB/AIA Internship Advisory Committee

The Dana and David Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships Grand Jury Award

Awarded by the Preservation Alliance for a Greater Philadelphia

The Dana and David Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Awards, Construction Award - Residential

Awarded by Preservation Pennsylvania

IDP Outstanding Firm Award

Awarded by the NCARB/AIA Internship Advisory Committee

IDP Outstanding Firm Award

Awarded by the NCARB/AIA Internship Advisory Committee

Number 223, Design Intelligence Top 333

Awarded by Building Design + Construction

Lincoln Ballroom at the Union League - Preservation Achievement Grand Jury Award

Awarded by the Preservation Alliance for a Greater Philadelphia

Lincoln Ballroom at the Union League - Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Awards, Construction Award - Commercial

Awarded by Preservation Pennsylvania

Lincoln Ballroom at the Union League - 2014 Honor Award

Awarded by AIA Pennsylvania

Lincoln Ballroom at the Union League - 2014 Merit Award - Built Category

Awarded by AIA Philadelphia

Hamilton Garden at the Kimmel Center - 2014 Excellence in Structural Engineering Award

Awarded by The National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA)

Number 194, Top 300 Architectural Firms

Awarded by Architectural Record Magazine.

Number 67, Giants 300

Awarded by Design and Construction Magazine

Design Intelligence Top 333 Design and Architecture Firms

Awarded by the Almanac of Architecture and Design 2013.

IDP Firm Award

Awarded by The Intern Development Program Advisory Committee (IDPAC).

IDP Firm Award

Awarded by The Intern Development Program Advisory Committee (IDPAC).

Project Excellence Award

For The Latham Hotel. Awarded by the Atlantic City/Philadelphia Chapter of NEWH The Hospitality Industry Network.

No. 150, Top 250 Architecture Firms

Awarded by Architectural Record Magazine.

Top Classic Hotel in the Northeast

For The Latham Hotel. Awarded by Arrive Magazine.

Top 50 in Business

Awarded by Architect Magazine.

Award of Excellence for Parking Technology & Equipment

For Revel. Awarded by the Pennsylvania Parking Association.

Grand Award in Concrete

For Revel. Awarded by the New Jersey Concrete Awards Committee.