John Milner Architects specializes in the restoration and adaptation of historic buildings and the design of new buildings, primarily residences, which reflect the rich architectural traditions of the past. The firm's first hand experience with the history and construction technology of three centuries of American architecture informs its approach to both historic preservation and design.
John Milner Architects provides a variety of professional services.
Residential and Country Property Design
Our clients share our commitment to carefully designed and finely detailed residential environments, disciplined by architectural precedent of the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and tempered by an understanding of the requirements of contemporary family life. Many of our projects are located in sensitive environmental settings, and involve the design of both residential and agrarian structures. We are honored that our work has been published in Architectural Digest, Southern Accents, Traditional Home, Classic American Home, New OId House, Period Homes, CQ Connoisseurs Quarterly, Country Living and Glorian Koti (Finland).
Historic Building Restoration
Respect for the designers, artisans and craftsmen who created this country's architectural history is the driving force for our firm's dedication to historic preservation. The restoration and architectural conservation of historic buildings is critical to understanding the character and values of those who created our nation. Our work has been recognized in The Magazine Antiques, Architecture Magazine, Architectural Record, House and Garden, Progressive Architecture, Great Houses of Maryland (Dowell), Historic Houses of Philadelphia (Moss), Architecture of the Old South (Lane), Dutch Colonial Houses in America (Gross, Piatt, Blackburn and Meeske) and Stone Houses: Traditional Homes of Pennsylvania's Bucks County and Brandywine Valley (Gross, Richie, Milner and Huber).
Ecclesiastical Design and Restoration
Since the earliest days of settlement, religious institutions have been a critical and integral component of communities in our evolving nation. Preservation of the buildings that embody the spirit and traditions of these institutions is the goal of our firm's work in restoring and extending the life of ecclesiastical facilities. Our projects have been featured in Architectural Record, Traditional Building and The Chicago Tribune.
Institutional and Commercial Restoration and Renovation
The preservation and continued use of historic institutional and commercial buildings contributes to the continued vitality of our cities and towns. Our objective is to retain the essential character of these buildings while adapting them within realistic programmatic and financial parameters. When appropriate, federal tax credits, facade easements and other incentives are taken into consideration during the planning, design and implementation phases of a project. Our work has been published in Architectural Record, Traditional Building, Corporate Design and Realty and Commercial Renovation.
Historic Structure Reports and Preservation Plans
The first step in many restoration projects is the preparation of Historic Structure Reports and Preservation Plans to document a property's historical and architectural significance and establish the appropriate direction for future treatment. These efforts typically include archival research, architectural, structural and archeological investigations, conditions assessments, a statement of treatment philosophy and specific recommendations for implementation of preservation and conservation strategies.
The John Milner Architects, Inc. staff includes the following individuals:
Principals:
- John D. Milner, FAIA
- Mary Werner DeNadai, FAIA
Architects and Designers:
- Daniel T. Campbell, AIA, Senior Associate
- Christina H. Carter, AIA, Senior Associate
- P. Justin Detwiler
- John Drew, R.A.
- Amanda T. Gold
- David I. Harrower, AIA
- Robert J. Hotes, AIA, LEED
- Joshua D. Kiehl
- Suzanne King
- Patrick S. McDonough, AIA, Senior Associate
- Christopher J. Miller, AIA, Senior Associate
- Jill R. Modell
- J. Scott O'Barr, AIA
- Bradley D. Roeder
- Amy Loewenstein Scanlon, AIA
- Daniel P. Scanlon, AIA
- Barry E. Seiler, AIA
- Edward P. Wheeler, AIA, Senior Associate
Architectural Conservators and Historians:
- David M. Facenda
- Catherine A. Subick
Administrative:
- Maria Foss, Office Administrator
- Christine Broderick, Financial Manager
Principals
John D. Milner, FAIA
In private practice since 1968, John Milner, FAIA specializes in the restoration of historic buildings and the design of new buildings, primarily residences, inspired by architectural traditions of the past. In the historic preservation field, Mr. Milner's expertise is in the detailed analysis of historic buildings to document their physical and cultural history, and the development of strategies, technical procedures and design solutions for their restoration and adaptive reuse. His design approach for new buildings is informed by his first-hand working knowledge of, and appreciation for, the vernacular and classical styles that are the foundation of this country's architectural patrimony.
In addition to his professional practice, Mr. Milner has, since 1976, been an Adjunct Professor of Architecture in the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Design. He was selected by the National Endowment for the Arts and the General Services Administration to serve as a National Peer Architect for the review of designs for major new federal buildings. Mr. Milner serves as Chairman of the Historic Preservation Board of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. In 2005 he received the James Biddle Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia for lifetime achievement.
Mary Werner DeNadai, FAIA
For the past 30 years, 26 of which have been in association with John Milner, Mary Werner DeNadai, FAIA has focused her architectural career on the field of historic preservation. Ms. DeNadai is personally involved with the firm's projects that primarily include historic institutional, commercial and ecclesiastical buildings in the full spectrum of architectural styles and periods. Her professional expertise is broadly recognized in the management of large, complex projects including historic structure assessment, feasibility analysis, development of preservation priorities, master planning for multi-phased projects and creative approaches to adaptive reuse programming and design.
Ms. DeNadai's organizational and leadership skills have also enhanced her contributions to non-profit and quasi-public organizations at the local, state and national levels, where she has been an active and visible steward. Currently she serves on the Board of Trustees of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and on the Boards of Directors of Preservation Action (past chair), of Cliveden of the National Trust and of Preservation Pennsylvania (currently vice-president and formerly president). She is a past chairman of the Historic Preservation Board of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In 1999, Ms. DeNadai was the recipient of the F. Otto Haas Award, Pennsylvania's highest recognition for contributions by an individual for lifetime achievement in the field of historic preservation. In 2007, she received the James Biddle Award for Lifetime Achievement in Historic Preservation from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.
