David Urffer, AIA

Principal

Dave joined the firm in 1988, became an Associate in 1993 and has been a Principal since 2000. He enjoys maintaining a diverse management role in the office, and has worked on many retail, theater, institutional, storage, and residential projects. Dave’s retail projects have included the full spectrum of the market: national retail, tenant interiors, landlord improvements, shopping centers, and custom retail. A few of the national retail development companies Dave is working with include Kimco, Brixmor, and PREIT. Dave is active in the firm’s mentoring program and enjoys working with younger team members to guide their professional development.  Dave is also on the Board of Directors and is the office liaison to the Philadelphia Chapter of the ACE Mentor Program, a program which introduces high school students to the design and construction industry.

David Urffer

Get to Know

What is your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
Lakes Region of New Hampshire.
Coffee, tea, or something else?
Wawa or Dunkin’ iced coffee.
What’s one thing people are surprised to learn about you?
I vote AND I ride a motorcycle.
What building made you fall in love with architecture?
Watching/living through the historic renovation of my parents’ house when I was in 4th-5th grade.
Favorite architectural material or detail?
I really enjoy working with different types of masonry.
What’s one piece of career advice you live by?
You gotta ask!
Where did you grow up?
I didn’t.
Who would you pick to narrate your life?
Lou Rawls.
What’s your dream car?
1967 Jaguar XKE (with mechanic) or 1957 Chevy Bel Air (no mechanic needed).
Favorite building in Philadelphia?
Ben Franklin Bridge.
Thing you like most about architecture?
Problem-solving.
Education
  • Master of Architecture, Carnegie Mellon University, 1988
  • Bachelor of Arts, University of Pennsylvania, 1984
Registrations
AZ, AR, CA, CO, GA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, ND, NV, NJ, OK, OR, PA, TX, WA, WI
Affiliations
  • American Institute of Architects, Philadelphia (AIA)
  • ACE Mentor Program, Team Leader, Philadelphia Chapter
  • International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
  • Past Chairman, Historic Architectural Review Board, Media, Pennsylvania
  • National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
  • Urban Land Institute, Philadelphia Chapter  (ULI)

Key Projects

9914–18 Bustleton Avenue
9914–18 Bustleton Avenue
Philadelphia, PA  
Village at Painters Crossing
Village at Painters Crossing
West Chester, PA  
Self Storage – Kenilworth, NJ
Self Storage – Kenilworth, NJ
Kenilworth, NJ