Brad W. Groff

Brad W. Groff, AIA is the founding Principal of Building Ground Architecture based in Pittsburgh, PA and New York, NY. Building Ground Architecture is an architecture and design firm rooted in transformative solutions. Project types include adaptive reuse and new construction of residential, commercial and institutional spaces.

Previously, Brad was a Senior Associate at SHoP Architects in New York but has also worked in other high profiles offices including Ennead Architects/ Polshek Partnership, Michael Maltzan and Kieran Timberlake Architects in Philadelphia. While at SHoP his work focused on four projects, including the Uber Headquarters in San Francisco; Essex Crossing in New York City; an International Office Tower in Bangkok, Thailand; and 475 West 18th Street in New York, which was a winning entry in 2015 for the USDA Tall Wood Building Prize. His involvement on the Uber HQ project focused on operable facade related design and transient indoor/outdoor space from concept through construction. His work on the Essex Crossing Development included a master plan that has transformed a large stretch of undeveloped city-owned land in New York City into a dynamic mixed-use neighborhood, the design of a 14 story residential tower, a three story museum, and a 30,000 SF public market. Prior to joining SHoP, Brad contributed to the design of the Yale University Art Gallery renovation in New Haven, CT and the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg, PA with Polshek Partnership. 

Professionally, Brad’s project experience ranges from renovation and adaptive reuse of historic structures to exterior envelope façade design, residential and sustainable design. He has always maintained a core interest in site specific architecture, renovation and materiality specific to a region. Most projects have been either large, public scale commercial and mixed use, cultural/ institutional spaces, or residential design. 

Academically, Brad has taught or been a teaching assistant at Penn State University, Harvard Graduate School of Design and Parsons.

He received his Bachelor of Architecture (2002) from Penn State University and a Master of Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design (2007). He is a registered architect in several states and a member of the AIA.