Who we are
Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architects (CSD) is an award-winning firm founded in Southern Nevada, whose architectural designs and diverse state, regional and national project portfolio, we’re honored to say, have earned the respect of our peers, over 194 design awards, including the 2019 AIA Western Mountain Region Firm of the Year, 2018 AIA Nevada Firm of the Year, as well as 2019, 2016 and 2014 NAIOP of Southern Nevada Chapter Architecture Firm of the Year and the 2020 Zweig Group Top 3 Best Architecture Firms To Work For, as well as state, regional and national press. Since our start in 1986, our guiding philosophy, mission statement and success have been built upon one simple idea: “Nurturing our client’s interest in the art of architecture, we seek to develop in them a passion for architecture like our own.” Today, a shared passion for the profession and a commitment to design excellence – our principals - Rick Sellers, AIA, Mike Del Gatto, AIA, LEED AP and Michele Brigida, AIA, LEED AP BD+C; are setting the example – allowing each one of our staff members to take pride in the work, excel in a culture that fosters strong team spirit, and to thrive in a collaborating process that delivers highly functional, sustainable and appropriate designs and superior client service. We strongly believe that our dedication to the integrity of the profession, upholding the ideals of the AIA, contributing to the profession through mentorship, scholarships, and giving back to the community through service are keys to our firm’s successes. Our design quality and reputation allows us to maintain staff which stands as a testament to the work and work ethic of the firm.
Principals
W. Rick Sellers, AIA
Rick Sellers is a founding Principal and President of Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architects. Rick has had the opportunity to design many notable projects for public works, federal, commercial, educational, retail, industrial, healthcare facilities and high-end custom residences. Notable projects include the multi-award-winning University of Phoenix Riverpoint Center a 660,000 square-foot campus in Phoenix, the multi-award-winning Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy located in Las Vegas and the corporate headquarters for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Tucson, Arizona. Rick brings over 44 years of experience in architectural design and has collaborated with our team to focus the design studio's efforts on developing state-of-the-art systems and innovating the creative design process and subsequent construction document and administration phases.
As a design leader in the community, Rick is the recent recipient of the 2019 AIA Nevada Silver Medal, the highest honor an architect can receive from the state of Nevada, and he was selected as the 1997 AIA Nevada Young Architect Citation recipient. Rick also donates his time to many local philanthropic efforts and the American Institute of Architects serving on such committees as the AIA Committee for the Environment. Over the years, the firm’s goal of becoming a premier architectural firm has been realized through recognition in many state and regional design competitions. Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architects has received over 190 awards including 2018 Architect Firm of the Year and multiple project honor awards from the American Institute of Architects at the state and regional level.
Rick is an avid sports fan and enjoys traveling to support his favorite college and pro teams.
Michael Del Gatto, AIA, LEED AP
Mike Del Gatto is Principal and Vice President of Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architects. As a 44-year resident of Las Vegas, Mike has a strong commitment and love of our desert community. As an architect, he strives to design facilities that respond to site context while pushing traditional boundaries to meet our clients’ goals. Mike’s 32 years of architectural experience includes higher education, PreK-12, office, retail, public works, federal, recreational and hospitality facilities. Some of his notable projects include UNLV Hospitality Hall, Nevada State University Christenson Education Building and Liberal Arts & Science Building, Clark County Department Family Services, Zappos.com, East Las Vegas Library, over 6 million square feet of projects for the University of Phoenix nationwide, and the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy.
Mike has served on the Board of Directors for the Las Vegas Chapter of the AIA and on the Board of Directors for Boys Hope Girls Hope. Mike received the 2006 AIA Young Architect Citation Award, the 2008 AIA Western Mountain Region Young Architect Award and was named one of 2007's Nevada Business Journal's 40 under 40. Mike’s proud and supportive of his Alma Mater, UNLV, and was recognized as UNLV Alumnus of the Year for the College of Fine Arts in October 2018. Mike has a strong commitment to mentoring others and leads CSD’s Intern Development Program.
He currently spends time coaching his son's Youth Sports teams, playing hockey and going to UNLV Athletics and Vegas Golden Knights hockey games.
Michele K Brigida, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Michele is a Principal of Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architects and has 20 years of architectural experience in all aspects of design, construction documents and client service. Michele is a talented architect and designer; having won many design awards on the projects she has been a part of and was recipient of the 2021 AIA WMR AIA10 Award as well as the 2020 AIA Nevada Young Architect Award. Some of her notable project designs include the University of Nevada Las Vegas Hospitality Hall, UNLV Lee Business School, Henderson Fire Station #91, the Muscular Dystrophy Association Headquarters Addition, the NSC School of Education and the Zappos.com Headquarters.
She strongly believes in collaborative design; it is through the collaborative effort with the team and client that a successful design emerges. Michele’s communication skills, research, discovery & analysis approach, ability to successfully verbalize concepts and an acute understanding of client needs helps to create successful interaction at all levels. Michele is passionate about sustainability and has led the CSD team in sustainable design practices. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California, a licensed architect in Nevada and heavily involved with the local AIA and USGBC chapters.
Michele is part of the leadership team for “See Me” – Women in Architecture Symposium, she is involved with UNLV on various student projects / programs and is an advocate for Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada.
Core Values
Community
Culture
"CSD is a firm that allows me to learn and grow as an architect. The atmosphere they've cultivated makes a lot of difference in day-to-day operations. I work with those that are hands-down the most well-rounded, skilled, dedicated, and passionate group of like-minded people in the business."
-ALEX, Team Member since October 2017
"I love being part of a team whose continual vision is innovation and excellence. Through leadership, mentorship, and continuing education, the thinking is always: How can we do this differently and better? We inspire each other to be the best we can be professionally and personally. Isn't that what families are all about?"
-LINDA, Team Member since November 1986
"The best way to describe us is as the CSD family. We are a family working towards the same goals, wanting to deliver our best but never forgetting who we are as individuals. We understand that we are all different and contribute to this family in our own way; we all have different strengths and weaknesses that, when combined, make a great mix. If there is a mistake, we fix it as a team. We are encouraged to grow, and everyone there wants me to succeed. On my way to licensure, I felt supported, not only with the study materials I needed but also by those who had been down the same path."
-MICHELE, Team Member since January 2007
"Working with a team of great people to solve problems and deliver great projects for our clients is incredibly rewarding."
-HUNG, Team Member since October 2021
“CSD Architects is a successful, well-respected firm in our community. The expectations and standards are embodied collectively with every one of us and are reflected in our clients' results. Although pressure can certainly be great in this field, we collaborate and make things happen. We genuinely like, respect, and learn from each other! Not to mention having some pretty good fun along the way. I'm proud to be part of the CSD family professionally and even more so personally.”
ROY, Team Member since June 2022
"From the beginning, I've been embraced by the warmth and support of the CSD team, and even now, I feel like an indispensable part of the unit. Here, titles hold no sway; everyone readily extends a helping hand, whether it's diving into intricate sketches or delving into detailed drafts. It's a culture where collaboration knows no bounds and where getting hands dirty is not only accepted but celebrated."
-CRISTIAN, Team Member since March 2024
"The CSD working environment is a collaborative, non-confrontational interchange of ideas, visions, approaches, and solutions relative to creating spaces for various functions. From the outset, each endeavor presented to CSD is considered without preconceived parameters to foster new and creative problem-solving results."
Sketch: Our Mannequin
