Dominick R. Pilla PE, CE, SE, RA, LEEP AP
Dominick R. Pilla, PE, SE, CE, RA, LEED AP is an engineer and an architect and founder of DRPILLA. Mr. Pilla has served as Principal-in-Charge of his firm’s major projects since the firm’s inception in 1999. Further synthesizing the fields of engineering and architecture, Mr. Pilla serves as a Lecturer in the School of Architecture and the School of Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Biography
Dominick R. Pilla, PE, SE, CE, RA is an engineer and an architect and founder of DRPILLA. Mr. Pilla has served as Principal-in-Charge of his firm’s major projects since the firm’s inception in 1999. As a result of his training and experience as both engineer and architect, he is acutely aware of the issues facing the successful integration of both professions. This distinctive blend of skills and training provides a unique perspective to each project the firm undertakes. Dominick is a hands-on design principal and remains involved throughout the project. He works closely with project managers ensuring that the projects’ goals and client’s needs are met.Further synthesizing the fields of engineering and architecture, Mr. Pilla serves as a Lecturer in the School of Architecture and the School of Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he is teaching courses covering topics from basic structural systems to complex concepts in seismic design.
Education
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New Jersey Institute of Technology, MS, 1991
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, BS, 1990
Areas of Research / Professional Expertise
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Mr. Pilla's current research is continuing to bridge the engineering and architecture professions through his collaboration with a team from The City College of New York's Grove School of Engineering as the industry mentor for an NSF/PowerBridge grant. The research focuses on sustainability in engineering. The technology involves the incorporation of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) waste in architectural and non-structural concrete as aggregate.
Personal Interests
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A native New Yorker, Dominick was born in the Bronx and raised in Rockland County. He now lives with his family in Grandview on Hudson. When time allows between his practice and academia, he is an avid skier and enjoys traveling and literature.
Websites
Books
Articles
Monitoring the Health of a Building During and After Rehabilitation
Published: Dec 01, 2015 by Structure Magazine
Authors: Pilla, D. Vaccaro, J. & Wilde, J.
Subjects:
Engineering - Civil, Engineering - General
During site work and, specifically, underpinning work involving existing buildings, it is best practice to perform monitoring of any buildings in the vicinity that may be influenced by the work. This monitoring includes both optically surveying the existing structures for displacement and installing vibration monitors to continuously monitor and record peak particle velocities.
Horizontal and Vertical Enlargement of a “Sliver” Building
Published: Nov 01, 2013 by Structure Magazine
Authors: Pilla, D. & Tong, X.
Subjects:
Engineering - Civil, Engineering - General
The term “sliver building,” according to the New York City (NYC) zoning code, is specifically reserved for a tall building or enlargement that is 45 feet wide or less. In many cases, such buildings are restricted to a height equal to the width of the abutting street or 100 feet, whichever is less. However, when considering the structural stability of a building, a “sliver building” is commonly a narrow building having a large aspect ratio (height to width).
Diving In: Steel Helps A Single-Family Home and Pool House Go Swimmingly
Published: Nov 01, 2013 by Modern Steel Construction
Authors: Pilla, D. & Kaniuczok, M.
Subjects:
Engineering - Civil, Engineering - General
When considering the structural composition of a “wood” building, the demands of the architectural and structural requirements often exceed the capabilities of an exclusively wood structural design. That’s where steel comes in.
Creating an Opening in Existing Floors
Published: Apr 01, 2013 by Structure Magazine
Authors: Pilla, D. & Tong, X.
Subjects:
Engineering - Civil, Engineering - General
It is not unusual to create an opening in existing floors during building renovations and alterations. A new opening may be used for stairs, an elevator shaft, a duct penetration, skylights, etc. In order to execute a feasible modification and maintain the existing building’s structural stability, a qualified structural engineer should be involved during the initial planning phase.
Penthouse View: A New Modular Structure Provides an Option for Unused Rooftop Sp
Published: Sep 01, 2012 by Modern Steel Construction
Authors: Pilla, D. &Tong, X.
Subjects:
Energy & Clean Technology, Engineering - Civil, Engineering - General
There's plenty of underutilized roof and air space atop typical New York City mid-rise residential buildings. But the creators of the Solar Roofpod are hoping to change that.
An Affordable and Sustainable Building Design in New York City
Published: Sep 01, 2011 by Structure Magazine
Authors: Pilla, D. & Tong, X.
Subjects:
Engineering - Civil, Engineering - General
Fox Point is a 48-unit affordable housing development pursuing a USGBC LEED Silver rating. Located in the Foxhurst section of the Bronx, this affordable apartment building is sponsored by the Midtown-based nonprofit Palladia, Inc. and aimed at providing housing for low income families with disabilities. In 2005, Palladia selected the design team of Oaklander Coogan & Vitto Architects(OCV) and Dominick R. Pilla Associates (DRPILLA), structural engineer, to design the project.
Evaluating Historic Structures for Adaptive Re-Use
Published: Sep 01, 2010 by Structure Magazine
Authors: Pilla, D. & Tong, X.
The H. Lawrence & Sons Rope Works complex, located at 221 McKibbin Street at the western edge of North Brooklyn’s Industrial Business Zone, has been in continuous use for industrial purposes for more than 160 years. Built on poor soils with an adjacent subway, the existing nine-building complex was in need of structural remediation and renovation.