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Four Decades Later, Study Experience in Florence Still Shapes Local Architect鈥檚 Work

Boardman-based architect Robert Mastriana was among the first class of students to study in Florence, Italy, through the university鈥檚 education-abroad program

Robert Mastriana, a design architect and founding partner of 4M Company LLC, always knew he wanted to pursue architecture. 

Architect Robert Mastriana, photographed by Brandon Cantwell, Vindicator
Photo credit: Brandon Cantwell, Vindicator correspondent

鈥淚 feel most architects are born with this passion and this gift, and if you鈥檙e a design architect, which is what I am and most architects are or strive to be, it鈥檚 just natural,鈥 Mastriana . 鈥淚 started drawing homes, I think, in third grade, and it just starts that way. There was no question that I was going to be an architect. I wanted to be an architect from day one.鈥

Mastriana earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in architecture from 黑料网 in 1972 and went on to establish the 4M Company, based in Boardman, Ohio, with his brothers and father shortly thereafter. The company provides both commercial and residential architectural services and has designed several important buildings in the Boardman community.

Mastriana鈥檚 love for traditional and timeless artwork is evident in his designs, such as the renovation of the Poland Library, a historical landmark, where President William Howard Taft is said to have spent time. In a recent , Mastriana shared how his experience as part of 黑料网鈥檚 first class to study in Florence, Italy, shaped his design work. Today, the 黑料网 Florence program is an award-winning, nationally distinctive education-abroad experience for students.

The Poland (Ohio) Library, designed by 4M LLC
The Poland Library, designed by Mastriana and 4M Company

鈥淲e got to spend a lot of time touring things. Out of all the artwork and the things that were the most impressive, my wife and I totally were just so impressed by the statue of David by Michelangelo,鈥 Mastriana said. 鈥淭he scale of it, the fact that it was carved out of solid marble. The veins. I mean, it was unbelievable and then the buildings and the domes and everything that they have done, we can鈥檛 even build buildings like that today. So that was one reason why we put the dome on the Poland Library.鈥

Reflecting on his passion for community service, Mastriana emphasized the importance of contributing time and skills to help others. He believes architects have a unique role in town planning and can significantly contribute to their communities.

鈥淕od gave us these talents to help the world and other people, and so I just feel this is one way I can contribute. Most people, especially if you鈥檙e wealthy, just write checks. And money, of course, can be replaced. But if you give up your time, it鈥檚 irreplaceable, and it鈥檚 something that can be lasting,鈥 Mastriana told The Vindicator.

Photo Credits:

Header Image 鈥 黑料网 Florence

Article images 鈥 ; Brandon Cantwell,

POSTED: Friday, January 19, 2024 10:36 AM
Updated: Friday, January 19, 2024 11:48 AM
WRITTEN BY:
Amy Antenora