Business Details
43 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Architectural Solutions
For four decades, we have dedicated ourselves to transforming the built environment through innovative architectural solutions. Our practice integrates sustainable design principles with a deep understanding of how spaces interact with their cultural and physical contexts. We specialize in helping clients realize their visions through architecture, interior design, and experiential graphics that reflect their unique brand identities.With studios in Athens and Columbus, Ohio, our team combines technical expertise with creative problem-solving to deliver projects across commercial, healthcare, community, and higher education sectors. Our foundation extends this commitment by providing pro bono design services to underserved communities, ensuring equitable access to quality built environments.
Services
Architectural Design
Interior Design
Wayfinding Solutions
Experiential Graphics
Sustainable Design
Community Projects
Healthcare Facilities
Higher Education Buildings
Commercial Architecture
Foundation Grants
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- We offer 40 years of sustainable architectural design experience.
- Our team integrates buildings with their cultural and environmental contexts.
- We provide comprehensive services from concept through construction.
- Our foundation supports underserved communities through pro bono design.
- We serve diverse sectors including healthcare, education, and commercial.
Services
Architectural Design
We create functional, aesthetically compelling buildings tailored to clients' needs and environmental contexts. Our architects combine technical precision with creative vision to deliver spaces that enhance user experience while maintaining sustainability standards. Projects span commercial, healthcare, and educational sectors.
Interior Design
Our interior design team crafts environments that optimize functionality and brand expression. We focus on spatial flow, material selection, and lighting solutions that create engaging interiors for healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and commercial clients across Ohio and beyond.
Wayfinding Solutions
We develop intuitive wayfinding systems that enhance user experience in complex environments. Our solutions combine strategic signage placement, environmental graphics, and digital navigation tools to create seamless movement through healthcare campuses, university facilities, and commercial properties.
Sustainable Design
Since 1983, we've integrated energy-efficient practices into every project. Our sustainable approach considers material sourcing, energy systems, and environmental impact to create buildings that minimize ecological footprints while maximizing long-term operational efficiency for clients.
Community Projects
Through our foundation, we provide pro bono design services for underserved communities. Our team works directly with local organizations to create accessible public spaces, affordable housing solutions, and community facilities that address specific social and environmental needs.
People
Nicholas Bittner
Principal Architect / CFO
With 40 years in sustainable architecture, Nicholas leads financial operations while maintaining design excellence. His expertise ensures projects balance environmental responsibility with fiscal prudence across all sectors.
Donald Dispenza
Senior Principal Architect / CEO
As CEO, Donald drives strategic vision while overseeing architectural innovation. His leadership maintains BDT's reputation for contextual design solutions that meet evolving client needs across healthcare, education, and commercial markets.
Jim Thomas
Senior Principal
Jim contributes decades of experience in project execution and team mentorship. His technical expertise ensures consistent quality delivery across complex building types while nurturing the next generation of architectural professionals.
Melissa Bittner
Operations Manager
Melissa oversees day-to-day operations, ensuring smooth project coordination and resource management. Her organizational leadership maintains efficiency across multiple studio locations and diverse project portfolios.
Doug Miller
Studio Leader, Architect
As studio leader, Doug bridges creative vision with technical execution. His design approach prioritizes contextual integration while mentoring junior staff in sustainable practices and client communication strategies.
Questions
What architectural services does BDT offer?
We provide full-service architecture including building design, interior solutions, wayfinding systems, and sustainable design for commercial, healthcare, education, and community projects.
Do you specialize in sustainable building practices?
Yes, we've incorporated energy-efficient design principles since 1983, focusing on materials, systems, and site integration that minimize environmental impact while maximizing long-term value.
Which geographic areas do you serve?
While based in Athens and Columbus, Ohio, we work on projects across the Midwest including South Dakota, with experience adapting designs to diverse regional contexts.
How long has BDT been in business?
Our firm originated in 1983 as an energy-conscious practice, maintaining continuous operation for over four decades with evolving expertise in architectural innovation.
Do you work on community-focused projects?
Through our foundation, we provide pro bono design services for underserved communities, creating accessible public spaces and facilities that address specific social needs.
