Charles E. Dagit Jr., FAIA
Architect, Artist, Author

BIOGRAPHY

Charles E. Dagit, Jr. FAIA is part of an architectural lineage whose legacy spans into three generations. 
In addition to himself, Mr. Dagit's father, grandfather, two uncles and numerous cousins were all architects.

After completing his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 1965, Mr. Dagit earned a
Bachelor of Architecture from Penn in 1967.  He went on to study under the world-renowned Louis I. Kahn,
receiving his Masters in Architecture in 1968 from the prestigious Louis I. Kahn Studio.  In the late 1960s
Mr. Dagit also worked for Mitchell/Giurgola Architects.

Established in 1970, his architectural firm of Dagit-Saylor, was poised for success.  The firm's design
accolades included the Silver Medal for the Monastery of Saint Clare from the Philadelphia Chapter of The
American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Gold Medal as well.  The firm also received the coveted
Progressive Architecture Design Award. 

Mr. Dagit was elevated to the College of Fellows of the National AIA in 1983, the youngest man at that time
ever to be elected.  FAIA is the highest honor the AIA bestows after its Gold Medal. 

In 1984 Mr. Dagit won the National Competition for the Cultural Arts Pavilion in Newport News, Virginia, prevailing over more than a hundred other competitors.   Building on all those honors Mr. Dagit continued to design numerous award-winning buildings and projects throughout his tenure as partner at Dagit-Saylor.

Selected clients and projects:

• Lehigh University - Zoellner Performing Arts Center and Grace Hall Commons

• Cornell University - North Campus Plan and Appel Commons

• The University of Pennsylvania - Fisher-Bennett Hall

• The Philadelphia Zoo - McNeil Avian Center

• Shippensburg University College of Business - Cumberland Union Building and Grove Hall

• Haverford College - Whitehead Campus Center

Mr. Dagit's many professional activities have included President of AIA Philadelphia, 1991, and Chairman of the AIA National Committee on Design, 1994. He served on the Board of Directors of both AIA Pennsylvania 2007 to 2010 and AIA Philadelphia at the same time. He now serves as an appointee of Governor Tom Corbett on the Selections Committee of the Department of General Services.

In addition to his practice, Mr. Dagit's career has also played a significant role in academia, teaching Thesis Studio at Drexel University, as well as at Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania. 

Since retiring from Dagit-Saylor Architects in 2007, Mr. Dagit has continued to utilize his vast store of experience as an expert witness consultant.

EXPERIENCE

Charles E. Dagit, Jr. FAIA has over forty years of experience in the construction industry as an architect.  His work includes the design and construction of over 300 projects encompassing numerous building types, for instance:

• Institutional - Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, Duke University, the University of Vermont

• Commercial - 1818 Market Street, Greenfield & Chimicles Law Offices, Krusen, Evans & Byrne Law Offices

• Medical - Magee Hospital, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Moss Rehabilitation Hospital, Chestnut Hill Hospital

• Retail - Cherry Hill Mall, American Airlines, Dandelion Boutique

• Museums & Exhibition - Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania Museum, The Philadelphia Zoo

• Residential Facilities - Ursinus College, College of Wooster, Cabrini College

Mr. Dagit has also been involved in construction law serving as an arbitration judge for the American Arbitration Association, as well as expert witness in numerous cases involving personal injury, litigation relating to design and construction, building defects, and contract disputes. His most recent work includes expert witness consulting and testimony for Lehigh University, the Philadelphia Airport, LBL vs. APG, the North Philadelphia PAL Center, and the Waterfront Square Condominiums.

Photography by TImothy Hursley, Tom Barnard, Robert Barker