Join us at DiGeronimo PC - complete this form for consideration
Job contact form
Visit our team page here
Ramsey Dabby and the People Side of Architecture
currently an adjunct associate professor of architecture at the City University of New
York, Ramsey Dabby knows a thing or two about structures. In fact, he co-wrote the
book on it—two in fact: “Structure for Architects: A Primer” and “Structure for
Architects: A Case Study in Steel, Wood, and Reinforced Concrete Design.” But he also
attributes his professional success to a lesson he absorbed as a young architect working
with Louis and Suzanne DiGeronimo, founders of DiGeronimo PC, now based in
Paramus, NJ: “Architecture is not just about technical skills. It’s also about
relationships.” Those personal interactions not only are integral to the foundation of a
career in architecture, says Dabby, but also can lead in exciting new directions.
Inspired to become an architect by an uncle in the profession, Dabby earned a
B.A. at Queens College and a B.Arch. at the City College of New York. Early
architectural jobs included a stint at John Carl Warnecke in New York City and
residential design-build work in Florida.
While at DiGeronimo PC in the late 1970s, Dabby assisted in the working
drawings for a 5,000-square-foot office for the Passaic County Housing Authority. He
also teamed with Louis DiGeronimo on prototypical open office configurations for
brokers at 60 Paine, Webber, Jackson and Curtis locations throughout the United States.
“Working there with Louis introduced me to the notion of architects working in the
corporate world—which was something I didn’t even realize existed,” recalls Dabby.
“Being responsible for programming, budgeting, and scheduling from an owner’s point of view was a whole different world.”
That experience proved key to his subsequent position as director of engineering
and construction for the Hertz Corporation. From 1979 to 2001, Dabby was responsible
for designing and building customer service, maintenance, and fueling facilities for the
car rental giant nationwide. Then from 2002 to 2014 he served as chief architect for the
Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), overseeing the design and
construction of firehouses, EMS stations, training and warehouse facilities, and
communications centers. His tenure at FDNY coincided with Mayor Michael
Bloomberg’s Design Excellence initiative aimed at ensuring that all civic structures had
architectural merit.
“It not just what you know, it’s the relationships you build and how you relate to
people,” says Dabby. “Suzanne DiGeronimo is a master with people skills from whom I
learned much about negotiating difficult situations. Louis and Suzanne are also keenly
aware of the growth of their employees and make a special effort with their young people
to give them a broad background in all aspects of the profession.”
Today Dabby urges his architecture students to hone their academic skills by
getting practical experience well before graduation. “School can only deal theoretically with design, construction, and professional practices,” he says. “Students need to marry their theoretical training with real-life situations. It’s been my pleasure to be able to recommend students to Louis and Suzanne, and I am so thankful to them for bringing these aspiring architects into their practice and mentoring them in the skills they will need throughout their careers.”