Business Details
43 Years
experience
Your Trusted Architectural Partner in Athens & Columbus, OH
BDT has been transforming the built environment through innovative architectural design for 40 years. Our practice integrates sustainable principles with a deep understanding of context, helping clients realize their visions across commercial, healthcare, educational, and community projects. We specialize in architecture, interior design, and experiential graphics that reflect brand identity while prioritizing environmental responsibility. Our team of certified architects and designers brings decades of collective experience to every project, ensuring solutions that balance functionality with aesthetic impact.With offices in Athens and Columbus, Ohio, we serve clients regionally and nationally, including notable institutions like Ohio University and The Ohio State University. Our commitment extends beyond design through the BDT Foundation, which supports equitable access to architectural services and sustainable building practices. We approach each project with a focus on collaboration, technical excellence, and creating spaces that enhance human experience within their natural and urban contexts.
Services
Architecture
Interior Design
Wayfinding
Experiential Graphics
Sustainable Design
Community Projects
Healthcare Facilities
Higher Education
Commercial Buildings
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- We offer 40 years of architectural expertise across multiple sectors
- Our practice integrates sustainable design principles as standard
- We prioritize contextual integration in every built environment solution
- Our team includes AIA-certified professionals with institutional experience
- We maintain a foundation dedicated to equitable design access
Services
Architecture
BDT provides comprehensive architectural services for commercial, healthcare, and educational facilities. Our approach combines functional requirements with aesthetic vision to create spaces that enhance user experience. We deliver code-compliant, sustainable solutions tailored to each client's unique needs and site context.
Interior Design
Our interior design practice focuses on creating functional, brand-aligned environments that optimize spatial efficiency. We integrate material selection, lighting design, and ergonomic considerations to develop interiors that support organizational goals while maintaining aesthetic cohesion with exterior architecture.
Wayfinding
BDT develops intuitive wayfinding solutions that enhance user experience through strategic placement of directional signage and environmental graphics. Our systems improve accessibility while reinforcing brand identity through consistent visual language across built environments.
Experiential Graphics
We create immersive graphic experiences that connect users to spaces through storytelling and visual communication. Our solutions integrate typography, imagery, and interactive elements to reinforce brand messaging while enhancing spatial orientation and engagement within commercial and institutional settings.
Sustainable Design
BDT incorporates sustainable practices into all projects, focusing on energy efficiency, material conservation, and environmental integration. Our approach reduces ecological impact through passive design strategies, LEED-compliant practices, and lifecycle analysis to ensure long-term operational sustainability for clients.
People
Nicholas Bittner
Principal Architect / CFO
Licensed architect with extensive experience in sustainable design, overseeing financial operations and architectural direction for BDT's institutional projects since joining the firm in 1983.
Donald Dispenza
Senior Principal Architect / CEO
Registered architect leading strategic vision and executive management, bringing decades of expertise in complex institutional projects and sustainable building practices to BDT's leadership team.
Jim Thomas
Senior Principal
Senior design leader with 40 years of experience guiding BDT's architectural approach, emphasizing contextual integration and technical excellence in commercial and educational facility development.
Melissa Bittner
Operations Manager
Manages firm operations with focus on process optimization and client coordination, leveraging extensive institutional knowledge to maintain BDT's service standards across multiple project types.
Doug Miller
Studio Leader, Architect
AIA-certified architect directing studio operations and project delivery, specializing in higher education facilities and complex institutional projects that balance functional requirements with innovative design solutions.
Questions
What architectural services does BDT specialize in?
BDT provides full-service architecture for commercial, healthcare, and educational facilities, including interior design, wayfinding systems, and experiential graphics tailored to each client's needs.
How long has BDT been in business?
BDT has specialized in sustainable architectural design since 1983, with 40 years of experience delivering projects across multiple sectors including higher education and healthcare.
What geographic areas does BDT serve?
While based in Athens and Columbus, Ohio, BDT works with clients nationwide on projects ranging from local community buildings to major institutional facilities.
Does BDT handle both design and construction phases?
BDT provides comprehensive architectural services from initial concept through construction documentation, working closely with contractors to ensure design intent is maintained during implementation.
How does BDT incorporate sustainability into designs?
Sustainable principles are integrated into every project through energy-efficient systems, material selection, and passive design strategies that reduce environmental impact while maintaining functional excellence.
Can BDT assist with wayfinding and signage design?
Yes, BDT develops comprehensive wayfinding solutions that combine directional systems with brand-aligned environmental graphics to enhance user experience in commercial and institutional spaces.
