Exploring Life & Business with John Bellisario of Studio Prime Architecture (SP-arc)

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Bellisario.

 Hi John, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
JOHN BELLISARIO, AIA, LEED AP (Architect / Developer)

 Ever since junior high, I have known that I wanted to be an architect. Taking any drafting classes available and serving as a Teacher’s Assistant towards the end of middle school, I was drawn to the profession. Although I excelled throughout much of my K-12 education, regularly achieving honor roll and advanced class placement, in 10th grade this would drastically change. Because of my life choices I didn’t have the opportunity to attend college, let along graduate with my class.

Some years later I returned to school via community college. There I studied hard to learn the foundational subjects I was lacking, and classes needed to advance to the university level. I completed my associate degree in my mid-twenties and was accepted into an architecture program. I then attended Cal Polytech in San Luis Obispo earning my B-ARCH, graduating near the top of my class with honors. A kid that had shown promise, was getting back on track.

The economy was horrible when I graduated. Many of my graduating class didn’t end up making it into their desired profession, and one that they had fought so hard to be part of. I refused to give up that dream, and I fought to stay in the field that was rated one of the worst professions to be in during the Great Recession, architecture. After more than one hundred application submittals and endless, “we aren’t hiring” responses, I found a job. I went to work for a successful medium size architecture firm in Southern California. There I would work to quickly elevate my position to one of the coveted Project Designer positions, working on education and civic projects.

During this time, I began and completed a Construction Management master’s degree program at Purdue University. I attended classes on campus and virtually in a hybrid fashion. I always viewed myself as behind in my profession due to my late start, and I wanted to do everything I could to catch up. This included regularly working after hours for free. I would teach myself computer programs, some of which were new innovations, to try and set myself apart from the many others clawing to rise in their standing while in a horrible economy.

After a little of four years, I shifted firms to work for a newer Design-Build entity on the Central Coast of California. This returned me and my growing family to the area where I had gone to school. There I would learn from partnering with a contractor a lot about development and construction, adding to my skillset.

Eventually I broke off from the Design-Build firm, forming my first company. Studio Prime Inc., which focuses primarily on residential and commercial architecture and engineering solutions looked to set itself apart by operating as an integrated team of professionals, and in a way usually reserved for much larger development endeavors. My background with the Design-Build firm would also provide the experience needed for me to start my own development projects under the Studio Prime flag.

Today Studio Prime Architecture and Studio Prime Engineering are thriving small businesses with big ambitions. With eleven team members, and projects in two states, Studio Prime continues to focus on growth into larger project types and more complex scopes of work. With my focus on my business, and my beautiful family of six, I am living a full life.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As I am sure most business owners would say, it hasn’t been a smooth road to get into my profession, raise a family with my spouse, and to build my current businesses. A primary hurdle has been learning to be a manager, mentor, and leader, as it was not something that came natural to me. I love designing, putting on my headphones and just creating. I enjoyed getting lost in my work. Ownership and being accountable for the livelihoods of others wasn’t something I thought of in architecture school, nor figured into what was needed to be successful on my journey. I feel that many of us have the abilities to be great leaders, but it has taken a lot of personal learning for me to grow into this role. This process is never over. There is always something new that makes me realize how much I still must learn.

Another struggle has been working with partners. We are all unique individuals. When Studio Prime started, there were multiple partners. I had very little context for what to expect, what to look for and avoid in a business partner, and how to handle tough situations that would arise. As is often true in life, these lessons have been tough at times. As is also true, it is these tough times that mold us, form us, into the individuals we are today. I have learned so much through my interactions with my current partner, and I am so much better equipped to handle the issues that naturally arise.

My biggest issue over the years has been my struggle with every day is work-life balance. I have a beautiful family, and spouse that has supported me through all the ups and downs. There is never enough time for everything. After more than fifteen years of fighting with this issue, I am finally finding ways to be successful at home and at work in a healthy way. I have found that efficiency that comes with experience and a strong work ethic can be used to be both highly productive, while still being on time getting home. I know that if I can figure this out, anything is possible.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Studio Prime Architecture (SP-arc) is an integrated team of professionals offering various architectural services in residential solutions (e.g., planned unit developments/subdivisions, custom residential), commercial, and mixed-use design solutions. SP-arc provides Pre-Design through Construction Administration services, as well as consulting and graphic support needed for land sales and project funding exercises. Ownership brings a unique take on architecture and development, with a balanced professional and academic background in architecture, construction management, and green building practices. SP-arc services the Arizona and California markets. We aim to create better communities through informed and unique design solutions that remain anchored in monetary reality.

My unique combination of scholastic, architectural, and professional background provides a more comprehensive take on architecture. I lead Studio Prime Architecture (SP-arc), including overseeing day-to-day operations and the design work generated by the firm. I have worked in the trades (e.g., concrete, finish carpentry, HVAC), in a luxury kitchen design studio, earned architecture and construction management degrees, achieved architecture licensure, and successfully run and financially backed small development projects (e.g., custom homes and small multifamily) from land acquisition through the sale. I pull from this wide array of experience and knowledge in what I do today as the owner of SP-arc.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some changes you expect to see over the next five to ten years?
I see the architecture and development industry changing drastically over the next 5-10 years. Drivers such as AI and modular construction methods are showing they will be major disrupters in our field. AI looks to change how we design floor and site plans of projects with repetitive programming elements in the short-term, and exterior design in the long term. Our profession, and the architects and designers that make up these trades, will need to be creative to remain employed and be successful. Education on the always evolving technologies and development processes is key.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.studioprimeinc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studioprime_arch/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StudioPrimeARCH
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-prime-inc
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/studio-prime-san-luis-obispo?osq=Studio+Prime+Architecture
• Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/john2224/studio-prime-architecture-sp-arc 

Image Credits
Photographer: Lisa Maksoudian