Profile

Saphire + Albarran is a multi-disciplined design practice located in Pennington, New Jersey. Founded in 1986 as Saphire Associates by Joseph E. Saphire, the practice was reformed in 2007 as Saphire + Albarran, to acknowledge the addition of a new Partner, Edwin Albarran.

Our practice is dedicated to providing creative and timely solutions that achieve our client’s vision and enhance daily life. Regardless of the setting we are designing for, be it a hospital, a new campus building, or a corporate boardroom, we endeavor to design spaces that inspire, that are good for the environment and that work for the people that use them. We assist our clients in every aspect of their project, from initial feasibility studies to building occupancy, to ensure their vision and the project goals are realized.

As architecture is a discipline of complexity that draws upon a wide-ranging knowledge base and skill set, we maintain a capable staff with expertise in architecture, planning, interior design, project financing, code compliance, sustainability, way finding, and project management. Your project is important to us. Our approach to staffing allows all projects to receive the careful and focused attention they deserve in all phases.

Joseph E. Saphire, RA, AIA – Principal

Joseph E. Saphire is an architect, a resident of Lawrence Township and a graduate of Pratt Institute in New York City. Having graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Architecture, Mr. Saphire began work with the award-winning firm of Harrison Fraker Architects in Princeton. During his 5-year internship with Harrison-Fraker Architects he headed projects that were both award winning and cutting edge. His incorporation of energy efficient design buildings have allowed his clients to reap savings in their operating budget as well as creating buildings that are good neighbors and environmentally responsible.

In 1985, Mr. Saphire decided to work under his own name and established practice in Princeton. The focus of Medical Design and Educational Projects has dominated the practice with a client list that includes Princeton University, Rutgers University, The Mercer County Library System, The Hun School of Princeton and The Medical Center at Princeton.

While garnishing a reputation for creating exciting and successful facilities, Mr. Saphire allowed his focus and interests to expand to other related projects in which younger adults were often the end users. Saphire + Albarran was recently selected to create a 35,000 sq.ft. Faith Development Center for St. Ann’s church located in Lawrenceville New Jersey.

Saphire + Albarran under the stewardship of Joseph Saphire has established itself as a successful alternative to the large firms. His personal affiliations with The Millhill Child and Family Development Center in Trenton, Lawrence High School Theater Arts Department, The Princeton Family YMCA, Habitat For Humanity and Lawrence Township Soccer and Baseball Programs have highlighted his 15-year residency in Lawrenceville. Mr. Saphire is married with four children.

Edwin Albarran – Partner

Edwin Albarran becomes Partner and Saphire Associates is renamed to Saphire + Albarran. Edwin Albarran joined the newly formed office of Saphire + Albarran soon after graduating with high honors and a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Pratt Institute.

Saphire + Albarran, located in Pennington, NJ, has earned a reputation as a small firm where the owner’s program and needs are paramount in creating a successful design.

Mr. Albarran has over 16 years of project management and design experience in dealing with institutional and private medical clients. His professional relationships and extensive knowledge of diagnostic equipment has enabled Saphire + Albarran to be listed as a preferred architect for many of the medical equipment manufacturer’s. His experience with construction staging provided a key component in the timely and smooth transition of a residential use building to an exam/office building for The Medical Center of Princeton. Mr. Albarran’s experience is instrumental in creating a construction schedule that is attainable and satisfactory to both the client and builder. His commitment to detail and the successful completion of projects has afforded Saphire + Albarran, continuing relationships with clients such as:

• University Medical Center at Princeton
• Princeton Radiology Associates
• Associated Radiologists
• Atlantic Medical Imaging
• Larchmont Imaging Associates

Mr. Albarran’s philosophy that serving the client’s needs by creating the proper operating environment for all forms of diagnostic equipment is but one half of the puzzle. The other half involves the integration of dynamic space with light, texture, and other sensorial experiences that help reduce a patient’s anxiety and further enhance the total experience when visiting a medical facility.