Design Was Easy to Get Into, But Hard to Get Out Of

Felice Silverman, FIIDA, MID'14, and David Silverman, FAIA, B.Arch'94, found more than a school at The Boston Architectural College (BAC). They found a path into design, a professional community, a way of working, and each other. Now, they are helping make that same opening possible for future students.

Through a three-year scholarship commitment and a seven-figure planned gift through their estate, Felice and David are establishing the Felice L. Silverman FIIDA and David J. Silverman FAIA Scholarship. Their gift will support students now and grow into endowed scholarship support for future generations. They wanted to begin during their lifetimes so they could see the impact now, while also building something that will continue after them.

Two paths into design. One powerful belief.

David’s path began early. At age 10, on a field trip to downtown Providence, he remembers being fascinated by the skyscrapers. “I knew right then that I wanted to be a part of the design world,” he said.

Felice’s path was less direct. She came from a creative family and loved graphic design, and only near the end of high school began to consider architecture.

“Having open access to the BAC is what makes the College so unique. The fact that I didn’t need a portfolio or prior experience, and the low cost to enroll was the reason I was able to explore design. Without it, I probably wouldn’t have gone in that direction,” said Felice.

Their paths into design were different, but both eventually led to the BAC and its accessible, practice-based model of education. The College helped launch their careers, which ultimately led to the creation and growth of STA Design.

STA Design is the firm that Felice founded with another BAC alum, Tom Trykowski. Now celebrating 30 years, STA brings architecture and interior design together across children’s spaces, startups, higher education, nonprofit, community, and cultural work. David joined the firm in 2012, after years of larger practice, and was drawn to the scale and directness of the work.

The opportunities the BAC created for Felice and David shaped their lives and careers.

For both Felice and David, the ability to work in the profession while studying was equally important. It was also at the BAC that they built relationships and a professional network they would rely on throughout their careers. It was where they met each other, too.

Design was easy to get into, but hard to get out of.

—said David.

Building a legacy now—and for the future

Their connection to the BAC began as students and has grown into a lifelong commitment—as alumni, instructors, employers, volunteers, and members of the College’s governance. Their relationship with the College has never been distant or ceremonial. It has been lived.

“The BAC is the most important institution that has impacted our lives, professionally, and personally. Without the BAC, we would not have been so successful,” said Felice.

That experience is at the heart of their decision to give back. Having seen the BAC from so many perspectives, they want others to have the same opportunity to discover where a design education can take them.

Their commitment does that in two ways: the scholarship allows them to support students during their lifetimes, while their planned gift will grow that support for years to come.

They hope the scholarship will open doors for students who may not otherwise pursue a design education and who share their belief in design as a force for positive impact.

“We wanted to be able to witness the impact of our giving now, and it motivated us to make our legacy gift,” said David.

For Felice and David, thinking about legacy is not something that has to wait until later in life. They hope others will consider the impact they want to have and how their own experiences at the BAC might create opportunities for future students.

They want the BAC to remain accessible to future generations while continuing its integrated work-study approach. “What makes the BAC so unique and powerful is that it is different,” said Felice.

“Felice and David understand the BAC from the inside,” said Dr. Mahesh Daas, President. “They know what access to design education made possible in their own lives, and they are now helping keep that door open for future students. Their commitment supports students today, while building endowed scholarship support for tomorrow.”

For Felice and David, what makes the BAC unique should continue to shape its future: giving students the opportunity to enter the design professions, learn through professional practice, and use design to make a positive impact in the world.

Their scholarship begins opening that opportunity today, and their planned gift ensures it continues for generations to come.

Planned gifts, including bequests and other legacy commitments, can create lasting support for BAC students and the College. To learn more, contact the Advancement team at giving@the-bac.edu.