In this episode, Christian sits down with Antonio Scalise, Principal Architect and Founder of Parallel Architectural Group. Growing up in a multi-generational family of masons from Italy, Antonio's path took him from swinging a sledgehammer in New York to leading a full-service architecture firm in New Jersey. Antonio and Christian dive into why every architect should spend at least a year in the field, how Hurricane Sandy became a turning point for his firm, and how lessons from his father’s business still guide the way he leads today. Antonio also explains why being a “yes” firm - even on the $1,000 project - can open doors to lasting relationships and unexpected opportunities.

https://parallelgrp.com/

https://theantiarchitect.com/

0:05 – Christian introduces the Anti-Architect Podcast and guest Antonio Scalise, founder of Parallel Architectural Group
1:05 – How growing up in a multi-generational masonry family shaped Antonio's work ethic
2:15 – Early jobsite memories and the hands-on lessons learned from working alongside his father
3:43 – Why field experience from a young age gave Antonio a deeper appreciation for the trades
4:59 – Antonio's father encouraged education over labor and how that led him to architecture
6:17 – The one thing that frustrates Antonio most about other architects
7:15 – Why architecture education should require at least a year of fieldwork
8:28 – The importance of building physical models and staying connected to tactile design
9:49 – Drawing by hand vs digital shortcuts and what that does to architectural thinking
11:00 – Field precision vs architectural theory and the danger of over-specifying
12:01 – How fee competition is hurting the profession and what clients often misunderstand
13:08 – Why educating clients is part of an architect’s job and how scope comparison reveals the truth
14:01 – Lessons from Antonio's dad about doing the job right, even if it takes longer
15:05 – Builders recommend architects who prevent rework and get zoning right the first time
16:25 – If not an architect, what part of the industry would Antonio be in?
17:34 – How Hurricane Sandy led to explosive growth and a rebirth of his firm
22:24 – Balancing high-end projects with smaller ones and why he never says no
24:03 – Solving problems across many project types and how versatility has been an asset
25:17 – Building trust by learning from mistakes and turning one project into 50
28:23 – What culture looks like at Parallel: humor, hard work, and setting the tone from the top
30:00 – How Antonio encourages accountability and leadership among his team
32:11 – The myth that no one will care as much as the founder, and why it’s wrong
33:04 – Antonio's origin story: from Long Island to California to New Jersey
35:04 – Starting at Brookdale and moving on to NJIT to pursue architecture
36:09 – Why Antonio considers himself a design chameleon instead of having one style
37:03 – His proudest project: a senior center that became a point of civic pride
39:01 – Residential projects that showcase adaptive design and asymmetry
42:02 – Reusing warehouse bones to create a vibrant headquarters for Partner Engineering
43:23 – Why light, proportion, and spatial feel matter more than people realize
45:19 – Thoughts on AI, concrete printers, and why human touch will always matter
48:15 – Concerns about shrinking fees, rising expectations, and retaining architectural value
50:04 – The pros and cons of remote work in a highly collaborative and creative field
51:22 – Why craftsmanship, mentorship, and presence still matter more than ever
52:17 – Antonio's advice to young architects: learn business as much as design