The Arch-BO Collaborative

About Us

Our Mission

The Arch-BO Collaborative was founded on a simple belief: that mindful planning and informed collaboration lead to better buildings. From early design through construction, we prioritize clear communication and customer service.

Our mission is to deliver thoughtful, creative, and building code-conscious architecture that empowers clients and elevates communities. Through collaborative design, rigorous planning, and expert oversight, we ensure every project satisfies the most important audience: our clients.

The firm was co-founded by Nicholas Braca and Stan Solarski, both dual-licensed architects and building officials. Together, they bring deep, multi-disciplinary expertise to a wide range of clients. Put simply, Arch-BO is an established architecture firm offering full design services, construction administration, and building code consulting.

The Arch-BO Advantage

Both founding Principals are licensed architects as well as licensed Connecticut building officials, providing our practice with both a unique perspective and competitive advantage. We use our working knowledge as building officials to streamline the project from early development to final completion. Our collaborative design and development process also helps to ensure building code compliance in-house.

To maintain their building code licenses, Stan and Nick must complete continuing education units, which means the Arch-BO Collaborative is always on top of current building codes.

We've also developed strategic relationships with many municipalities’ building officials. These relationships result in an inherent trust with municipal officials — they know they are interacting with architects knowledgeable in the building codes. If any issues arise on a project, they are usually worked out over a simple phone call, helping to avoid any costly delays.

Our Process

1. Pre-Design

This phase sets the strategic & contextual foundation for the project. We meet with our clients to learn about their project needs, then gather all information we can to begin identifying any specific challenges and characteristics that will establish the basis for a solid design concept.

Project site, local zoning and preliminary code assessments are provided at this stage, as well as initial concept plans if necessary. In the case where existing buildings are involved, we field measure and photograph the conditions present so that any proposed design concepts are well informed.

2. Schematic Design

We take the knowledge gathered in the Pre-Design phase and manifest it to scaled plans, elevations & three-dimensional views. At this stage, innovative ideas are explored amongst the project team and spatial concepts are refined. How the project appears in its built form begins to take shape during schematic design, with programmatic expectations and general scopes of work agreed upon.

Our clients typically pursue local zoning approval and preliminary budgets at this time, for which we provide critical information to support. We collaborate intensively with civil engineers, landscape architects, other consultants and local officials to ensure key safety, environmental, energy efficient and aesthetically conscious elements are captured in our design.

3. Design Development

The Design Development phase advances the schematic design to preliminary construction drawings. We perform more complex code analyses, and the construction elements of the project become identified. Finishes, equipment and systems are incorporated; and pertinent construction detailing is developed. Project specifications are provided describing the quality of products to be utilized, as well as installation requirements. This information allows for more detailed pricing to be developed, and specific challenges not seen in earlier stages of design to be addressed.

4. Construction Documents

This is the last and most complex of the design phases. The Construction Documents are assembled in preparation for both formal contractor bids and constructed reality. We engage in intensive coordination among all project consultants and stakeholders at this level resulting in precise drawings and specifications. All design elements are articulated to the most minute detail and carefully organized into a formal submission package.

5. Bidding

During the bid phase, prospective contractors are given the opportunity to review the construction documents provided by our team and ask questions about the design to assemble accurate and comprehensive pricing of the job. We provide support to our clients by attending pre-bid walkthroughs with the contractors to help familiarize them with the work, answering formal requests for information (RFIs) during the bid process and provide the bidding contractors with any updated information needed during the bid phase.

When bids are received, we assist our clients by performing contractor scope reviews to evaluate their accuracy to the project documents to help ensure all design elements and project requirements are captured in the selected contractor’s bid package.

6. Construction Administration

The Construction Administration process helps bridge the design intent to built reality. Once the client selects their contractor to build the project, the local officials must formally review the project for compliance with the building code, fire code and local ordinances. We diligently engage with these officials during their review process by issuing prompt, thorough responses to any comments arising with revised documentation if necessary to ensure their input is integrated into the build.

Our support to our clients during the Construction Administration phase includes periodic on-site construction observation and project meetings with both the client and contractor, review of contractor requisitions for payment and review of product submittals. Since we anticipate issues will arise for all projects when they are built, we provide effective communication between all parties during this phase, which is critical due to schedule and budgetary limitations.

The Construction Administration phase culminates with a substantial completion punch list inspection, where we carefully review the project in place for its conformance with the Construction Documents; documenting any deviations we find needing rectification prior to the approval of the contractor’s final approval for payment. This ensures complete compliance with the Construction Documents and thus accomplishing the client’s end objectives.

Stan Solarski

AIA, BO

PRINCIPAL

Stan has over 30 years experience in the field of architecture. He started his career at Synthesis Architects in Schenectady New York after he earned an Associates Degree in Architecture from SUNY Delhi. Stan then continued his education as a part time student at the New York Institute of Technology where he was recognized in the top two portfolios for the mid program review, and graduated with honors with the Bachelors in Architecture degree. While Stan was earning this degree he worked full time at Nielsen and Shoemaker in Albertson New York, where he development numerous bank renovations and learned traditional residential design.

After graduation Stan was offered to join his professor and mentor, Stuart Narofsky’s team. During Stan’s time at Stuart’s office Stan completed numerous modern designed private residential projects from Manhattan, throughout Long Island to the Hamptons. Stan then continued his career in New Haven Connecticut where he worked at Kenneth Boroson Architects for twenty years. During these years Stan began as a project manager at Kenneth Boroson Architects and advanced to senior associate, achieved his architect license, and also his building official license. While at Kenneth Boroson Architects Stan proved his thoroughness and efficiency as he worked on schools and complete tear down/ build new housing developments that included apartment buildings, townhouses, and support structures. Stan was the “go to” for constructability, code, and project management.

Stan has a working knowledge of hands-on wood framing, steel erection, metal stud construction, roofing, and various mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. He incorporates his deep understanding of the constructability of projects into his design process. In his private time, Stan he enjoys spending time with his family and fly fishing.

Nicholas Braca

AIA, BO

PRINCIPAL

Nick earned his Associate Degree in Architecture Technology at CT State-Norwalk and his Bachelor of Architecture Degree at Roger Williams University.

Nick has nearly 30 years of overall experience in the Architecture profession and has amassed expertise in various building types, including new and existing multifamily residential redevelopments, Pre-K through 12 school projects, higher education support facilities, professional and medical offices; retail establishments, historic rehabilitation & institutional projects.

Nick started his career at Wiles Architects, a multidisciplined firm specializing in vocational agriculture science-based schools and corporate interiors. During his time at Kenneth Boroson Architects, ascending to his position as Senior Project Architect, Nick managed various State and Federally funded affordable residential housing projects for both existing rehabilitations and new developments. After working for DiBiase & Filkoff Architects to gain experience in luxury residential architecture, Nick joined The Monroe Partnership LLC; where he has been intimately involved in all aspects of project development, with particular focus on construction documents, code compliance and construction administration.

His primary specialties include conducting complex building code analyses and construction detailing, based on his collective experience in the Architecture field and familiarity with regulatory agencies and standards. Mr. Braca is a registered architect in Connecticut and New York, as well as a licensed Connecticut building official.

Nick enjoys travelling to both familiar & new destinations with his wife and two daughters, backyard maple sugaring, fishing, as well as amateur landscape & astrophotography.

About Us

The Arch-BO Collaborative is an innovative architecture firm offering both design and building codes consulting. Our Principals are licensed Architects as well as licensed Connecticut Building Officials, providing our practice with a unique advantage.

Get in Touch

Call Us
Nick: 203-339-2753
Stan: 203-215-4153

Email Us
Nick: nickb@archbo.com
Stan: stans@archbo.com