A designing woman

By: Richard Fabrizio
Date: Sunday, Jun 18, 2000
Publication: Portsmouth Herald

PORTSMOUTH - Lisa DeStefano stands atop 100 Market Street overlooking her hometown.

Downtown Portsmouth lies below in rows of brick and concrete that come together and spray apart in jagged lines forming a congested masterpiece of old New England seaport architecture. From aloft, one can sense the difficulty of fitting new pieces in an old puzzle. Perhaps no one knows this better than the native architect.

"Born and raised, and still living here," DeStefano said in an interview earlier that day at her office inside the Kearsage House on Congress Street.

Since the early 1990s, DeStefano has added dashes of artistry to the local landscape. She graduated from Boston Architectural Center in 1991 with a bachelors of architecture, and last month celebrated the fifth anniversary of her firm, Lisa DeStefano and Associates. Her portfolio grows by the day and work stretches from Cape Cod to Kennebunk; from 10,000 square foot custom oceanfront homes to the contemporary interior architecture of 100 Market Street.

Her portfolio is viewed just by walking around town including a stop at 28 Deer Street, which she handled from start to finish. The building earned DeStefano an award from the Portsmouth Advocates, last Tuesday night.

The Portsmouth Advocates honors people for commercial and residential renovations and new buildings that meet its objectives of preserving the city's character.

"It's been a pleasure to work with Lisa," said John Grossman, president, Portsmouth Advocates. "She designed (28 Deer Street) to meet the needs of the owners at the same time blended it in very nicely in scale and design. It exemplifies the simplicity of buildings in Portsmouth with some details that highlight it."

DeStefano said her design for shows how new structures can be dramatic, while being comfortable in their surroundings.

"My roots are here," she said. "I've been surrounded by historical characteristics all my life."

The building also drew praise from real estate agent Bill Mouflouze, who brokered it.

"I love the way it came out," he said. "It's not a typical cookie-cutter new construction. Its details add a touch of class."

The Montessori-Cornerstone School on High Street in Stratham is another example of her work. The school offers a glimpse at DeStefano's dedication.

"I went to the open house," she said, "and there were parents and teachers and students there. I saw a 4-year-old running with a glass of grape fruit juice and I thought, "She's going to drop that on my carpet." At that point I realized, it was not my carpet anymore."

Letting go can be hard. DeStefano said the design process begins by getting to know her clients, understanding their tastes and desires. From there she'll look at the physical environment right down to how the sun rises and falls.

"I ask a lot of questions," she said. "If it's a residential client I need to know how things work at home. If it's a commercial client I need to understand their business. I need to become part of that entity, not just know their square foot requirements."

DeStefano crafted all of the designs inside 100 Market Street from the mirrored ceiling inside the elevator to the style of the Ciento-Tapas Bar. DeStefano said she had mixed emotions at the restaurant's opening.

"I was thrilled for them," she said. "At the same time, I was sad I had to turn it over."

DeStefano pointed out features as she walked through the marbled hallways of 100 Market Street. Her tour combined the lingo of architect and artist.

"A good design has something on the floor, the walls and ceilings," she said. "Every plane has a design feature."

100 Market Street was designed by Sasaki Associates of Watertown, Mass., but developers Michael Simchik and Phil Singer turned to DeStefano for the interior touches. She was in charge of construction and administration.

"The building owners wanted someone local to carry through the project," she said.

DeStefano graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1981 and later earned an associates degree in architectural engineering from the New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord. Architecture is a dream she chased early on in life.

"I think I was always aware of the built environment," she said. "In junior high I knew I wanted to be an architect.

"I talk of architecture as a thing. It's part of me, a known entity. Because of that I give a piece of myself to all my projects."

After earning her bachelors degree, DeStefano returned home.

"Being brought up here and enjoying the built environment here is part of the reason why I practice here," she said. "I could have practiced in Boston, but it was natural that I start practicing here."

DeStefano worked at Interface Architects and TMS Architects before opening her own firm. Her reason for striking out on her own was simple. She is a leader and not a follower, she said.

That entrepreneurial spirit helped DeStefano overcome the hurdles of excelling in a male dominated profession. In 1997, women made up only 11 percent of the members of the American Institute of Architects.

"I'm certainly a minority," she said. "There were only about two women in the phone book for architecture. In my firm, there are three women."

Her seven-person firm is thriving. She is currently interviewing for new associates and will move into a new office condominium she purchased at 23 High Street across the street from The Metro Restaurant. The firm will make the move October 1. Mouflouze brokered the deal.

DeStefano's eyes lit up when asked about renovating the space. She called it a major renovation of the interior design.

"It was fun to create my own space with input from the whole office," she said. "It is a great experience to go through the construction on a personal level."

Aside from the expectant move uptown, Lisa DeStefano and Associates will be busy this summer.

DeStefano said a "phase 2" of the Deer Street project is in the design process that will ultimately produce a twin building on the street. She is also preparing to renovate the facade of the Tub Shop on Market Street and is in the design process for a major renovation and addition to a downtown restaurant.

Also working through the design and approval process is the condominium project at 10 State Street, also known as Pier II.

"We'll be before the HDC (Historic District Commission) a lot in the next year," DeStefano said.

DeStefano said she works well with the HDC, local boards and the Portsmouth Advocates. Some people feel working with the HDC limits their project, DeStefano said, but her success lies in using her creativity to meet their demands as much as possible.

"Instead of asking for the solution from the HDC," she said, "I ask their concerns and I bring them solutions."

The condominium plan proposed by the Pier II Realty Trust poses one of the toughest tasks to date for DeStefano. In addition to meeting state environmental requirements, the plan must gain a certain level of approval from the HDC and a community that includes herself.

"I am concerned about the growth here," she said. "I'd like to make a positive difference here."

DeStefano's 5-story brick building received some positive feedback. But that doesn't mean the red carpet will roll out for the project. Locals called the condominium proposal further gentrification of the area's shrinking working waterfront.

"You run into challenges whether you're in your hometown or elsewhere. I enjoy challenges.

"It's part of my job to create a building that meets the needs of my clients, the zoning and local boards."

David Adams of the HDC credited DeStefano for her work with the commission in the past few years. He described her as cooperative and respectful of the issues facing new developments.

"Lisa always manages to account for her clients' interests and the concerns of the HDC. That's a talent. It's a fine line.

"She's very understanding of the issues of new buildings having to fit into the background rather than be a part of the face of the Historic District. The idea everything isn't the Taj Mahal can be difficult for architects."

DeStefano said part of her challenge whether it be Pier II or a new home project is crafting a vision. Selling that vision to a person ready to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars takes more than sketches and models.

"What I'm able to see in three dimensions," she said, "I need to make community and clients see as well."