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
- Christina H. Carter, AIA
- Christopher J. Miller, AIA
Architects and Designers:
- Daniel T. Campbell, AIA, Senior Associate
- P. Justin Detwiler
- John Drew, R.A.
- Robert J. Hotes, AIA, LEED AP, Senior Associate
- Suzanne King
- Patrick S. McDonough, AIA, Senior Associate
- Kristin McFadden, LEED AP
- Jill R. Modell
- J. Scott O'Barr, AIA
- Barry E. Seiler, AIA
- Greta Stoyko
- 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
John Milner, FAIA specializes in the restoration of historic buildings and the design of new buildings, primarily residences. 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 American and European architectural traditions.
In addition to his professional practice, Mr. Milner has for thirty years been an Adjunct Professor of Architecture in the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Design, receiving the Perkins Award for Distinguished Teaching in 2007. 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 is a past Chairman of the Historic Preservation Board of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Mary Werner DeNadai, FAIA
Mary Werner DeNadai, FAIA specializes in the preservation and adaptive reuse of historic institutional, commercial and ecclesiastical buildings encompassing 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 been a significant benefit to non-profit and quasi-public organizations at the local, state and national levels with which she has served in a variety of capacities including the Board of Directors of Partners for Sacred Places, Preservation Action (former chair), and Cliveden of the National Trust and Preservation Pennsylvania (former president). In addition, she is a Trustee Emeritus of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and past Chairman of the Historic Preservation Board of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Christina Carter, AIA
Christina Carter, AIA joined John Milner and Mary DeNadai as a partner in John Milner Architects in 2009. She has 23 years of experience in architecture and historic preservation, including research and on-site inspection, measured drawings, restoration and reuse design, traditional residential design, construction documentation and construction administration. Prior to joining the firm in 1986, Ms. Carter served with the Preservation Assistance Division of the National Park Service in Washington, DC. and was involved in research and the preparation technical publications pertaining to historic building materials and investment tax credit certification. Christina Carter manages John Milner Architects' Philadelphia office, and oversees a wide variety of historic preservation and new design projects.
Christopher Miller, AIA
Christopher Miller, AIA joined John Milner and Mary DeNadai as a partner in John Milner Architects in 2009. He has twenty years of experience in architecture and historic preservation, including ecclesiastical, residential, commercial and institutional design for both new and existing structures. Prior to joining the firm in1998, he served as a project manager in the Facilities Planning and Construction Department of the University of Delaware. In that capacity, his work included developing and supervising architectural projects involving the restoration and adaptive reuse of historic buildings and the design and construction of new buildings. Mr. Miller manages John Milner Architects' large and complex projects involving historically and architecturally significant churches, university buildings and cultural properties.
