W. DOUGLAS ROMINES RA_CPHD

Owner & Principal Architect

Douglas Romines, RA, CPHD is the Founder and Principal Architect of Romines Architecture, where he brings a uniquely hands-on, end-to-end approach to every project the firm undertakes. As both a visionary designer and technical expert, Douglas is deeply involved throughout the entire design and construction process—from early conceptual development and hand-sketching to technical documentation, regulatory approvals, and on-site construction administration. His immersive leadership style ensures design continuity, quality control, and strategic oversight at every phase, resulting in thoughtful, well-executed projects that reflect both aesthetic intent and practical execution.

Douglas’s professional expertise spans new construction, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse, with a portfolio that includes complex institutional campuses, urban infill developments, and cultural landmarks. Notably, he served among the lead architects for the Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah campus in Nairobi, Kenya, a large-scale international project that exemplifies his ability to manage ambitious programs across cultural and geographic boundaries. In New York City, his work has included ground-up multifamily and mixed-use buildings, reflecting his adept navigation of the city's dense regulatory environment and rigorous construction standards.

A strategic thinker with a solutions-oriented mindset, Douglas is highly skilled at interpreting and applying complex zoning and building code requirements, coordinating across multiple city agencies, and producing precise, detail-rich bid and construction documents. His design process is informed by a strong understanding of building science, systems integration, and material performance—ensuring that client goals are met with creativity, efficiency, and technical precision.

Before founding Romines Architecture, Douglas was a Senior Associate at Frederic Schwartz Architects (FSA), where he led the design and delivery of diverse project types including civic buildings, cultural centers, transportation infrastructure, and multifamily housing. His work at FSA involved intensive collaboration with public agencies, engineers, and community stakeholders, further honing his expertise in cross-agency coordination and collaborative design leadership.

Beyond practice, Douglas is a committed architectural educator. He currently teaches Construction Technology at Parsons School of Design and has previously led architectural design studios at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT). Through his teaching, he champions technical fluency and critical thinking, emphasizing the connection between design intent and construction realities. His mentorship continues to shape future architects and strengthen the profession's commitment to technical excellence.

Douglas's professional journey is also shaped by his international experience, particularly a formative period from 1996 to 1998 in Germany, where he contributed to urban master planning and historic renovation projects. These early experiences instilled a deep appreciation for sustainable design principles, cultural heritage, and long-term environmental responsibility—values that continue to inform his work today.

He is a Registered Architect in the State of New York and a Certified Passive House Designer (CPHD), credentials that reflect his dedication to energy-efficient, resilient, and high-performance architecture. Throughout his career, Douglas has maintained a consistent focus on design quality, sustainability, and public service, positioning Romines Architecture as a practice that bridges creative vision with constructible outcomes.