About
TURN KEY
Our team is your concierge from design through construction.
Upstate Modern®
Our context sensitive design approach integrates warm natural textures, sustainably sourced materials and luxury finishes to distinctly modern architectural forms.
Each one-of-a-kind residence is designed with a modernist architectural aesthetic in response to the surrounding landscape. Our team of architects and interior designers blend stylish fixture selections with sustainably sourced and artisanal touches. Our build team employs sustainable materials and methods during construction resulting in energy efficient homes and less waste.
Unique
Each home is a unique site specific residence, designed by S3 Architecture in response to the natural characteristics of the land on which it sits. The result is a contextual structure naturally fitted to the site.
Modern
Our aesthetic is distinctly modern and marries natural textures and materials resulting in a warm modernist style. Inspiration often comes from historic or local forms re-imagined with a modernist eye.
Sustainable
A core tenet of our firm, sustainability is key to our designs and building methods. Each home incorporates thoughtfully sourced and sustainable materials and is designed to be built with energy efficient systems and building techniques.
Luxury
Quality materials and designer fixtures and finishes are included in all homes. As an architecture firm first, our homes are never builder-grade.
the story
Blending a distinctly modernist aesthetic with natural materials, warm textures and traditional forms, the Upstate Modernist collection of homes by S3 Architecture offers a re-imagined modern lifestyle.
We’re inspired by the idyllic and rural character of the Hudson Valley of Upstate New York. Born from our focus on sustainability, we respect the land with a conservation focused and eco-conscious approach.
Each property starts with a preservation-focused plan maintaining natural spaces and sight lines. Every home is unique and site specific, designed to respond to the natural characteristics of the land on which it sits and built with sustainable and efficient building techniques.
meet the TEAM
chrisTopher dierig
Christopher Dierig, registered architect and co-founder, leads S3 architecture and design. Christopher is a Registered Architect in New York State, and is a member of the US Green Building Council. Christopher founded S3 Architecture in 2005 and manages daily operations of the business and studio staff. S3 Architecture is a Sustainable Architecture, Interior and Urban Design firm based in New York City.
DOUG MAXWELL
Doug Maxwell, Managing Partner and co-founder, leads S3 operations and contributes to interior and exterior space designs. Doug is an entrepreneur who has successfully launched and managed businesses in creative and technical genres offering S3 a blend of business, design and technology focus.
Ben Fiering
Ben leads construction options and site management across all Upstate Modernist builds. Overseeing the UM construction team and relevant trades, Ben is charged with realizing the Team’s designs and is a champion of construction quality with eye toward building efficiency and sustainability. Ben is an accomplished master builder, economist, operations supervisor, property development consultant, general contractor, project coordinator and architectural design consultant with over 30 years’ experience.
ALLEGRA JORDAN
Allegra manages build costing and procurement for Upstate Modernist construction operations. As liaison with suppliers, vendors and artisans, she coordinates the relevant trades for resourcing and cost visibility and control of all UM builds. Allegra is an experienced construction professional as well as accomplished artist, lending a keen eye both aesthetic and technical to the Team.
BEN GRINBLATT
Ben is a Registered Architect in the State of New York. He has worked on residential and hospitality projects at S3, including multiple dwelling site plan and development Brooklyn Heights Farm. He received his Master's Degree in Architecture from the Spitzer School of Architecture (City College of New York) and also holds a Bachelor's of Arts in History from the University of Maryland, College Park. Ben has experience working in both engineering and architecture firms in NYC, and has been with S3 since 2017.
BLITHE PEREZ
Blithe is an Architectural Designer pursuing her license. With S3, she has worked on residential + hospitality hybrid development Sylvan Rock, a collaboration with and first private residence by Aston Martin Design. She received a Masters Degree from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts from Hampshire College. She has worked at multiple firms in Massachusetts and New York before joining S3 in January 2020.
KEYAN HANSEN
Keyan is an Architectural Designer and Graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design in pursuit of licensure. He has many years of experience in all ranges of architecture, design, and construction. He has worked with large award winning commercial firms, development firms, cutting edge startups, and high-performance-high-end residential firms. He is a transplant from the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. and joined S3 mid 2021.
MATT SHUFELT
Matt is a Registered Architect in the State of New York. He joined the team at S3 in early 2022 after working at various residential and commercial architecture firms in New York. He holds a Master's degree in Architecture from The Spitzer School of Architecture (CCNY), a BA from The University at Buffalo, and studied at La Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.
