A Villanova Architect's Artisan Revival Style

Designing a house is all about the details for architect F.L. Bissinger.

Bissinger, who spends his time in part of an old estate in Villanova, has been designing and building homes since the 1950s. He describes his style as "Artisan Revival," which is a revival of fine craftsmanship and high quality materials that was common in the first-third of the 20th Century.

The Cleveland, Ohio native studied his craft at Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania, but his best learning has been experimentation. "You have to learn on your own," Bissinger told Bryn Mawr-Gladwyne Patch. "I learned a lot by looking at things."

Although Bissinger has never worked in an architectural firm, he did spend many years learning under Walter Durham, who designed more than 200 homes in Lower Merion.

Over the years, Bissinger has also worked as a home builder in addition to an architect, and he said it was important for him to find craftspeople who can make unique pieces like English wood paneling and ornamental iron handrails.

"It allows me to design things that others can't," he said.

"Most of my clients want custom detailing. It expresses their own personal individuality," Bissinger said.