Sylvester Damianos is president of Damianosgroup, a multidisciplinary architectural firm in Pittsburgh, P.A. His firm’s work is broad in scope with particular emphasis on art-related projects: museum, gallery, theater, library and educational facilities; exhibit design; furniture design and graphics.

After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University, Damianos was a Fulbright Scholar at the Technological Institute of Delft, The Netherlands, followed by two years of service in the US Army Corps of Engineers. He then returned to Pittsburgh and a dual career in art and architecture. He is a practicing sculptor, craftsman and a one-time painter.

Damianos was elevated to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows in 1982 and elected to Its executive Committee in 1999. He received the AIA’s Edward C. Kemper Award, AIA Pennsylvania’s Medal of Distinction and AIA Pennsylvania’s Honor Award for Furthering Artistic Appreciation. Damianos is also an Honorary Member of the Japan Institute of Architects, Membro De Honor–Seccion Nacional Mexicana, and Honorary Fellow of The Royal Institute of Architecture in Canada.

A member of the AIA since the 1950s, Damianos has served on all levels of the Institute and was national president in 1990. Active with the American Architectural Foundation since 1988, he served as Chairman/Co-Chairman from 1991-98 and has been honored with lifetime membership on the Board as a Life Regent.

Damianos is sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities. He is a strong and passionate advocate of Universal Design and has served on a number of boards and committees involved with ADA issues at Carnegie Mellon.