Architecture, Design & Construction

Faculty

Paula J. Behrens, RA

Professor and Coordinator, Facility Management Programs
B. Arts in Architectural Studies, Kirkland College
M. Architecture, University of Pennsylvania
Office: M2-28, 215-751-8926
Email: pbehrens@ccp.edu

Paula Behrens has taught at Community College of Philadelphia for over 20 years. She is a registered architect with experience in all phases of design and construction, as well as facility management. She has worked on projects ranging from kitchen renovations to hospitals, and from initial planning and schematic design to construction observation. She has taught many of the design and construction courses in the Architecture, Design & Construction Department. She has presented at conferences nationally and internationally and has been recognized for her teaching and mentoring. At Penn, she was Editor of the school’s academic journal, VIA, and received a Dales traveling fellowship. She has interests in the link between making, place and experience.

David Bertram, RA

Department Head and Assistant Professor
B.F.A., The Cooper Union
M. Architecture. & M.S. Construction Management, Virginia Tech
Office: W2-01F
Email: dbertram@ccp.edu

David Bertram’s passion for art and building lead to his career in architecture. The enjoyment of designing and building his photography darkroom and working as a timber-wright in the mountains of North Carolina led David back to graduate school for architecture.

Before establishing his own architectural practice, he worked for regional and national firms focusing on multi-family residential, academic, and municipal projects including police & fire stations and libraries.  His interests include wood construction, the history of construction and structural engineering, building physical models, and computer-aided visualization.

Prior to joining the Architecture, Design & Construction Department at Community College of Philadelphia, David taught in Drexel University’s Construction Management program. He currently teaches at Jefferson University.  In addition to his academic career, David is a registered architect maintains a practice.

Anthony (Tony) Bracali, RA

Adjunct Instructor
B.Arch, Drexel University, 1999
Faculty Prize Winner
AIA Phila 2007 Young Architect Winner
Office: M2-30, 215-751-8860
Email: abracali@ccp.edu

Tony Bracali is Vice President of Design at The Goldenberg Group.  Tony has over 20 years’ experience designing mixed-use, educational, institutional, recreation, sports and community-related projects. Tony is an award-winning designer who is expert at conceptualizing the "big picture" ideas for a project in a manner that clients can understand.

Miles Grosbard

Professor
Office: M2-30, 215-751-8612
Email: mgrosbard@ccp.edu

Lorri Leonards

Lab Aide
Office: W2-01, 215-751-8862
Email: lleonards@ccp.edu 

Elizabeth C. Masters, AIA, AFAAR

Visiting Lecturer, Coordinator for Architecture and Interior Design Programs
B. S. Architecture, The Ohio State University
M. Arch., The University of Virginia
Certificate in Economic Growth and Development, University of Pennsylvania
Office: M2-28
Email: emaster@ccp.edu

Fascinated by landscapes, buildings, and cities, Elizabeth Masters, AIA, AFAAR, practices at Elizabeth C. Masters Architects, Ltd.  Community leadership in Chestnut Hill, political advocacy, and study of public policy at Fels Institute of Government gave her a strong foundation for leadership roles in AIA Philadelphia and AIA Pennsylvania as a member of the Board of Directors and president of AIA PA where she remains active.  She is a recipient of the Thomas U. Walter Award of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and a Rome Prize by the American Academy in Rome and the NIAE that allowed her to study ancient and Renaissance architecture, landscape, and urbanism in Italy.

Prior to teaching at CCP, Elizabeth taught at the University of Maryland, Temple University, and Drexel University. At CCP she teaches Design Studios, Construction, and Philadelphia History: Architecture and Planning. Building community/community building is the hallmark of her professional life, one that weaves practice, teaching, community service, advocacy, and life together.

Tony Palimore

Assistant Professor
Office: M2-26, 215-751-8418
Email: apalimore@ccp.edu

Courses taught include digital documentation & CAD, contracts and specifications, project management & scheduling and environmental systems & LEED classes.

Prior to joining the College full time, he was a staff architect and vice president at the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), specializing in community and economic development. He served on a variety of public boards and initiatives for the City of Philadelphia, such as the West Philadelphia and North Philadelphia Empowerment zones boards. He also worked for the City of Philadelphia, Department of Public Property serving as a planning director and facilities manager responsible for tenant fit-out and design of office and services facilities owned and/or operated and activities related to real estate operations. Finally, as a licensed PA Architect, He brings a vast amount of experience in the areas of commercial, residential and industrial projects, involving activities such as planning, design and building.

Michael Stern

Assistant Professor
B.A., M. Arch., University of Pennsylvania
Office: M2-24, 215-751-8318
Email: mstern@ccp.edu

Courses taught include presentation techniques, materials of construction, color and lighting and design studio. 

His interests include historic preservation and non-western architecture, particularly that of Japan, having presented six scholarly papers on Japanese architecture. Prior to joining the College full time in 2001, he was a staff architect at the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, specializing in community outreach and preparing repair plans for over 300 of Philadelphia's historic places of worship.