top of page
About Foley Hillestad Architecture
About Us
Foley Hillestad Architecture, led by partners Stephen Foley and Brian Hillestad, brings over 50 years of combined experience to every project. The firm has completed a diverse array of architectural work, demonstrating a deep commitment to design excellence and client satisfaction.
Their portfolio features innovative light commercial spaces, including office buildings, retail centers, and hospitality venues that prioritize both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Foley Hillestad also excels in residential architecture, offering custom homes that reflect the individuality of their clients while incorporating modern design principles and sustainable practices.
Our Team
Stephen Foley
Partner
Stephen Foley was born and raised among the rich architectural fabric of The Philadelphia Mainline. While growing up in homes designed by Wallace & Warner and Walter Durham, Stephen began his architectural studies and career working for a prominent local architect at the young age of seventeen. Leaving the Mainline to attend Clemson University's School of Architecture, Stephen’s interest in the built environment led to experiences in home construction and masonry. Longing to be back on the drawing board, “A Monograph of the Work of Mellor, Meigs & Howe” inspired Stephen to return North to the Philadelphia suburbs to be surrounded by the country homes that he so fondly remembered. While not in the office you can find Stephen restoring & renovating his 1860’s Chester County stone farmhouse or spending time outdoors with his wife and son.
Brian Hillestad
Partner
After growing up in Suburban Chicago, Brian Hillestad studied architecture at The University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and later earned his Architecture degree from The State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo). Brian has over twenty years of architectural experience in overseeing the design and construction of custom luxury residential, light commercial including a private golf club and a High School addition, and historical projects. Projects under his supervision have ranged from $100,000 renovations to +$5,000,000 private residences, including historic renovation and new construction, with a sensitivity to detailed work and a proper approach and use of building materials. Additionally, Hillestad is a master draftsman, with expertise in BIM modeling, construction documentation and construction management. An experienced project manager with projects in the States of New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, Brian is a seasoned facilitator of the design and building process, from initial meetings with clients through construction administration. Brian is passionate about community engagement and partnerships, including an 8-year post as the past president of Veteran Community Farms, a nonprofit organization he founded, which works to reintegrate veterans through horticultural therapy in controlled greenhouse settings. He is active in his local community of Exton, where he resides with his wife Alison and their three children.
Erika Craparo
Consultant
Erika Craparo’s work with residential design has been focused on breathing new life into historic homes and estates, all while maintaining a sensitive eye to the original integrity of each building and site. Erika has worked with design/build and architecture firms in Philadelphia, New York, and Minneapolis on projects throughout the Northeast and Midwestern United States. Her thorough understanding of best practices surrounding architectural renovations, new construction, and historic preservation has provided her with the ability to enhance communication and project management. Erika's work in residential and historical architectural design is grounded in the belief that our surroundings should evolve with us, and that the classical and the contemporary can coexist seamlessly. She feels that minimal effort equals major impact, and that no detail is too small. A neatly-curated collection of antiques and a thoughtful color palette can transform a space, welcoming the past to coexist with the present. Erika is constantly inspired by the mix of old and new, and loves the combination of a sophisticated heirloom paired with a laidback statement piece. Erika Craparo Holds An M.S. In Historic Preservation From The University Of Pennsylvania, And Currently Lives In Philadelphia. Erika currently consults for Foley Hillestad Architecture
Contact Us
bottom of page