Member Spotlight: Rudy Fabiano, AIA, Founder and Principal of Fabiano Designs
Please meet your AIA Newark and Suburban Architects colleague Rudy Fabiano, AIA, Founder and Principal of Fabiano Designs!
Rudy Fabiano is the founder and design principal of Fabiano Designs International, a leader in the health, wellness, and fitness market. His experience as an architect, interior designer, and professional planner spans over 30 years of partnering with successful companies worldwide. Rudy lectures and writes extensively on how focused design strategies can impact business success. With over 1000 projects completed, 20 design awards, and over 40 nominations for facility design, Fabiano Designs has earned a reputation as a premier facility design firm.
For business inquiries, please visit Rudy's website: https://www.fabianodesigns.com/ / Email Rudy: [email protected] / Give his office a call: 973-745-5100
We invited Rudy to take part in our debut Member Spotlight Series. Rudy sat down with us to share some professional and personal insights that we are certain you will enjoy!
Q&A:
What was your favorite recent project?
As the saying goes the next project is always my favorite. I just really enjoy the beginning, theorizing, and concept sketching for a new project--the black buff tracing paper still holds appeal (of course its all-digital now). I like the work we do as most of it is fitness and wellness based--we really try to influence healthier behavior by the way we approach or facilities – reduce intimidation and provide a health inclusive environment to work out, get healthy or simply meditate, so in that regard, I can appreciate all our projects.
How long did it take before you felt comfortable in your role as an architect?
I don’t think you really learn how to be an architect, until you become one. It just takes time to get comfortable and knowledgeable enough to communicate with clients and contractors alike. I think it took me a few years to really be able to feel like an architect. Of course, though, we are always still learning –and learning is about being comfortable enough to admit that there are things you just don’t know. Contractors always appreciate when you ask them for their opinion, and many times I’ve found that to be a great learning tool.
What would be your dream job or a project you'd like to work on?
It is funny, sometimes we architects like to think about, if a project had an unlimited budget, what we could create. But restrictions are what make our projects more creative--so that’s just not realistic. If I could design my house in the town where I was born, that would be cool. (I have started sketching something, but that seems a long way off.)
What do you like to do when you are not working?
I like to spend time with my family, my wife, and friends--I’ve become a pretty good mixologist. Creating drinks versus buildings is much faster. I like to cycle, work out and meditate. Of course, my favorite hobby is travel, especially to Europe.
What are 3 facts about you that make you unique?
- I was born in Italy
- I was denied admission to NJIT (where I graduated form--long story)
- And as an architect, not really that unique
Who or what are your inspirations for architecture?
I always enjoyed Frank Lloyd Wright, Carlo Scarpa, and Antoni Gaudí--they all had unique visions that were born out of their own creativity, and not really copying designs. I went to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and it left me breathless.
Who or what are your inspirations for life?
That’s aways evolving. At times it was my parents--immigrants who dared to dream of a better life. My kids make me want to be a better man. Currently studying Buddhism is having a profound effect on how I would like to live my life.
What’s exciting about what you are doing now in the office?
I just love working things out with the team, whether it’s a design, a detail, or a color study or how to make our production efficient. Running an architectural office is a unique experience, and can be amazingly rewarding.
What advice would you give to recent graduates entering the professional world?
Don’t ever forget why you went into this profession. Your studio experiences in school will stay with you the rest of your career. Learn to draw, detail, specifications, green design, etc., but it’s your mind, how you think and how to solve problems creatively--for people, that will keep you relevant and happy.
Rudy's Projects:
The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa; Houston, TX; Completed in 2022
In 2019, The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, a Forbes Four-Star property, began a $45 million overall project to enhance its luxury lifestyle experiences across its wooded Houston campus. Located on 27-acres in the heart of the Galleria area, the independent property is known for its timeless nature, elegant décor, and its historic involvement in Houston’s events and celebrations. Fabiano Designs was first tasked with evaluating and creating the concept Master Plan--specifically focused on Fitness and Wellness. Due to our holistic approach to the analysis, that scope was increased to a more comprehensive planning and design of the whole building. This included the overall redesign of most of the 70,000 square foot Health Club. By thoroughly investigating the existing building and discovered major opportunities to engage members and create adjacencies, we were able to elevate the experience for each program.
Saint Thomas Academy; Mendota Heights, MN; In development
This facility will be used by Saint Thomas Academy, an all-boys Catholic middle and high school, and Visitation School, an independent, all-girls, Roman Catholic, college-preparatory school. This facility, funded by passionate alumni, will provide a first-class competition pool for the two schools with one of the best-combined swim programs in the state. Fabiano Designs is the Architect and Designer for the addition/renovation. We are excited to develop an appropriate facility and to create an iconic structure for this important visual corner of the campus.
The Cambridge Club of Aberdeen; Aberdeen, NJ; Completed in 2018
The Cambridge Club sits on nine acres and consists of two buildings, a 2,500 SF fitness studio, an expansive rooftop deck, and a ballroom as well as a pool pavilion. There are 6 aquatic features including a 6 lane, 25-meter competition pool, a 75,000-gallon zero-entry activity pool, a heated therapy pool, a 20 person jacuzzi, a kids pool, and a teen splash pad.
Are you interested in taking part in our Member Spotlight Series? Contact Robert Epstein, Component Director, for more information: [email protected]
